GIVING BACK
As I walked into the restaurant with my siblings and cousin, I was drawn to a street child standing outside, looking in through the mirrored walls. I couldn't shake the feeling that I needed to do something for him, so I approached him and asked, "Do you want to come in and eat with us?"
To my surprise, he nodded yes, and we all went inside. He pointed at the menu, unable to speak, but his eyes spoke volumes. He looked at me with fear and gratitude as I invited him to sit at our table.
I started to ask him questions, trying to get to know him better. His name was Alex, and he was only ten years old. He told me he had recently been removed from a government organization that helps take street kids off the streets because he was being bullied there. He said he just wanted to be back on the streets, where he felt safer.
Alex told me about his father, who was in jail for selling drugs, and his two brothers, who were also in jail for the same thing. He told me about his twin sister, who had died in a house fire, and his mom, who had remarried and had a new baby with a man who was always drunk. Alex said he would rather be on the streets than deal with his family situation.
Despite everything, Alex still loved his father and felt bad that he was in jail. I could see the pain and struggle in his eyes, and I knew he was doing whatever he could to survive and feed his family.
I asked Alex what he wanted to do when he grew up, and he said he wanted to be a seaman. In the Philippines, people think that a job in the maritime industry is a way to escape poverty.
I asked him what grade he was in, and he said he had only finished first grade. He should have been in fifth grade by then, but his parents couldn't afford it, and he didn't have any money for school supplies. I offered to help him go to school and study maritime in college, and his eyes lit up.
He didn't have a phone or any way for me to contact him, so I wrote my number down on a tissue for him and gave him my chakra bracelet as a reminder to call me.
Suddenly tears rolled down his cheeks. “Ate (older sister), do you know what today is?" he asked, smiling through his tears.
"No, what is it?" I replied.
"It's my birthday," he said, his smile growing wider.
I sang happy birthday to him, but we had to leave soon after. I never heard from him again. I still think about him and all the other kids who struggle to escape poverty.
It's so important for them to have access to education to break the cycle and build a better future for themselves. This is why this cause means so much to me.
THE PROBLEM + SOLUTION
In the Philippines, countless children are living on the streets and in remote, isolated mountain regions are denied access to education.
This heartbreaking reality robs these children of the opportunity to build a better future for themselves and their communities.
But there is something we can do to help. By donating to our cause, you can make a difference in the lives of these children and give them a chance to learn, grow, and thrive. Your donation can give these children the education they need to break free from the cycle of poverty and achieve success.
To my surprise, he nodded yes, and we all went inside. He pointed at the menu, unable to speak, but his eyes spoke volumes. He looked at me with fear and gratitude as I invited him to sit at our table.
I started to ask him questions, trying to get to know him better. His name was Alex, and he was only ten years old. He told me he had recently been removed from a government organization that helps take street kids off the streets because he was being bullied there. He said he just wanted to be back on the streets, where he felt safer.
Alex told me about his father, who was in jail for selling drugs, and his two brothers, who were also in jail for the same thing. He told me about his twin sister, who had died in a house fire, and his mom, who had remarried and had a new baby with a man who was always drunk. Alex said he would rather be on the streets than deal with his family situation.
Despite everything, Alex still loved his father and felt bad that he was in jail. I could see the pain and struggle in his eyes, and I knew he was doing whatever he could to survive and feed his family.
I asked Alex what he wanted to do when he grew up, and he said he wanted to be a seaman. In the Philippines, people think that a job in the maritime industry is a way to escape poverty.
I asked him what grade he was in, and he said he had only finished first grade. He should have been in fifth grade by then, but his parents couldn't afford it, and he didn't have any money for school supplies. I offered to help him go to school and study maritime in college, and his eyes lit up.
He didn't have a phone or any way for me to contact him, so I wrote my number down on a tissue for him and gave him my chakra bracelet as a reminder to call me.
Suddenly tears rolled down his cheeks. “Ate (older sister), do you know what today is?" he asked, smiling through his tears.
"No, what is it?" I replied.
"It's my birthday," he said, his smile growing wider.
I sang happy birthday to him, but we had to leave soon after. I never heard from him again. I still think about him and all the other kids who struggle to escape poverty.
It's so important for them to have access to education to break the cycle and build a better future for themselves. This is why this cause means so much to me.
THE PROBLEM + SOLUTION
In the Philippines, countless children are living on the streets and in remote, isolated mountain regions are denied access to education.
This heartbreaking reality robs these children of the opportunity to build a better future for themselves and their communities.
But there is something we can do to help. By donating to our cause, you can make a difference in the lives of these children and give them a chance to learn, grow, and thrive. Your donation can give these children the education they need to break free from the cycle of poverty and achieve success.
Here are just a few facts about the importance of education for street children and children in remote mountain regions in the Philippines:
By donating to our cause, you can be a part of the solution and help these children build a brighter future. Every little bit helps, and we are grateful for your support.
Your contribution will go directly to supporting programs and services that provide the children and their families with the essentials they need to survive and the tools and resources they need to learn, grow, and thrive.
- Education is a fundamental human right for children to reach their full potential and lead fulfilling lives.
- In the Philippines, access to education is particularly limited for children living on the streets and in remote areas, leading to a cycle of poverty and disadvantage that is difficult to break.
- Education can provide children with the skills and knowledge they need to find good jobs and contribute to their communities. It can also help to reduce poverty and inequality, as educated individuals are more likely to earn higher incomes and have better health outcomes.
By donating to our cause, you can be a part of the solution and help these children build a brighter future. Every little bit helps, and we are grateful for your support.
Your contribution will go directly to supporting programs and services that provide the children and their families with the essentials they need to survive and the tools and resources they need to learn, grow, and thrive.
Together, we can make a real difference in the lives of children in the Philippines.
Please join us in this important effort by donating today. 100% of your contribution goes directly to the organization.
Please join us in this important effort by donating today. 100% of your contribution goes directly to the organization.
