How might we communicate the work of International Justice Mission (IJM) in the Philippines, in one concise, inspiring, and easy-to-grasp piece of literature?
The work IJM does to end trafficking around the world can be difficult to grasp, because of the technical nature of the work and the vast network of partners and stakeholders involved.
When I joined IJM Philippines in 2021, I experienced the complexity of our work and knew it was also my job to simplify it for our audiences. There was no single, consolidated document that you could send to an interested party through email, to introduce the work of IJM in sufficient detail or in a clear narrative. Available materials were a 2-page factsheet that described our work in a nutshell, or 20-page slide decks and scripts that would need to be customized for the intended audience.
The need was clear: an official communication piece that would succinctly introduce IJM Philippines and its vital work to someone who has never heard of us before, in a way that informs and inspires.
To fill this gap, this booklet, or brochure, about IJM was conceptualized. The process of gathering and selecting content was rigorous, with many stakeholders within the company to represent, all with a long list of milestones, highlights, and high-impact collaborative projects that all deserved mention.
Of course, trying to feature everything would lead to information overwhelm and would work against us.
Being new in the company put me in a good position to identify what would be most helpful for a new reader. I identified the most important things to highlight, and eliminated what did not need to be communicated through the brochure. And whenever possible, technical language was edited to be easily digestible.
The result was an eight-page brochure that condensed our complex work into a clear and compelling narrative that highlighted the vital partnerships, processes, and people behind our work.
The thread running through the brochure is collaboration; all key players need to work together to end the crime of online sexual exploitation of children.
The original cover of the first version of the brochure.
The cover image shows a happy child, free from hidden threats, a representation of what childhood should be. As readers turn the pages, they gain a clearer understanding of the harsh realities that rob children of their innocence. They get to know the dedicated sectors of society—government, law enforcement, church, media, and community—that stand united to protect them.
This visual and narrative journey helps anyone, no matter their background, grasp what IJM stands for and why we do what we do, and why you might want to join hands with us. In every detail, the most important thing remains at the center: the children we are called to protect.
