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Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Street Family


The world today is much more different than before, more and more families are now living in the streets, no home, no decent clothes and no food to eat. I dont want to be self-righteous but I did something very different last night that I would like to share.

Last night, as I was on my way home I passed by the same street, walking from Rockwell Kalayaan to Makati Ave. For the past month that we relocated our office there I pass the same street everyday, but this time I heard something. I heard a little baby crying, there was a family living in a kariton a few steps from our office. For the everyday that I passed there I didn't noticed them. They are hidden under a tree beside the delapidated building. So I continued walking, I was in Makati Ave already, about 200 meters away from them but I cant get that crying off my mind. I told myself I had to go back. Part of me wants to go back, the other half of me is scared to go near them. I just got my salary last night and these people might try to get it from me. I don't want tpo judge but, this things happen all the time here in the very poor country Philippines. But I had to go back and at least buy them dinner,so I did. I passed by the carinderia and bought them 4 orders of rice and 2 viands. I thought it would be more than enough for 2 adults and a toddler to eat for dinner. I paid Php84. So I went back to the kariton and gave then their dinner.

As I was approaching, I noticed that there are 3 children all under the age of 3, or they must be just malnourished to look so small. The father and the mother are there too. The father is laying some carton on the cold sidewalk, maybe preparing for their "bed". The mother is searching for something in their kariton. When they saw me, I noticed that they are scared, maybe as scared as I was. So when I get there I said "Manong, binilhan ko kayo ng pagkain" (Sir, I bought some food for all of you). He was still shocked, still a little scared. All of them are staring at me, not knowing what to do or what to say. Me, myself dont know what to say. The father broke the silence by saying "Merry Christmas". I smiled, handed the bag of food to the mother and left.

Then I walked a way heading home, I am already far from them but I still can't take them out of my head. I don't know if I am like this because it is Christmas, and I know helping is right, but this also makes them lazy and doesn't get them off the streets. I passed by McDonald's and bought a nuggets happy meal for my daughter, it cost Php100. Isin't it ironic that the food that I bought for a whole family a few moments ago cost less than the meal that is for my daughter. 5 mouths was happily eating the meal, and it cost less than what my daughter would eat for snack. Made me feel truly blessed. This Christmas season has been a very happy one for us. Truly, we are showered with blessings.

This morning, I went back to the "street family". I brought some old clothes and blankets, some old shoes too and pansit for their breakfast. When I passed by their kariton it is still covered with tarpualin, most likely they are still sleeping. So I just dropped the bag of clothes and food, right beside their kariton for them to see as they wake up.

To be honest, I wouldn't go back again there to give them food. This will only make them dependent to people who will give alms to them. They are 2 able adults who should look for work, even as a construction worker or a labandera. For now, I gave them food, hopefully they will come to their senses and go look for job, they are responsible for 3 kids. I would like to to talk to them to tell them that they should be responsible for their family, but since they are still asleep I wasn't able to do that.
Type rest of the post here

64 comments:

Unknown said...

Hi Architect! You know I used to do this too when I was living in the Philippines...buy food and give it to children I see living on the streets but like you I am also aware that it's not totally good for them because they will become dependent.

I wish these adults will step up to their responsibilities to their children.

I do commend you for what you've done, it's very kind of you.

Sherry Go Sharing said...

living on streets I saw here too

Sherry Go Sharing said...

but they not really live on street they only come if there is night market

Sherry Go Sharing said...

the newspaper said the kids are being pick up by van

Sherry Go Sharing said...

not sure how true is that

Sherry Go Sharing said...

must have got someone send them out to do that..

Sherry Go Sharing said...

even woman with children

Sherry Go Sharing said...

I read in paper that a beggar beg in street and he's a rich person in real life

Sherry Go Sharing said...

imagine the job he did as beggar doing nothing

Sherry Go Sharing said...

so always careful to watch out here..

Sherry Go Sharing said...

many ppl said no give as will only encourage them do that

Sherry Go Sharing said...

sometimes its hard to know which is real which is fake

Sherry Go Sharing said...

I think parent should care the kids.. not let them wonder around

Sherry Go Sharing said...

when I study in school teacher said the same dont run off as the bad guy will cut you!

Sherry Go Sharing said...

really scary story she told the ppl take the kid and cut him :(

Sherry Go Sharing said...

make kid real beggar.

Sherry Go Sharing said...

I got email too saying that honeymoon couple went..honeymoon and wife was missing

Sherry Go Sharing said...

she was hurt and face gets acid

Sherry Go Sharing said...

very sad.. the hubby one day found her and do not know its her til saw her birth mark

Sherry Go Sharing said...

she can't speak as she was force to drink.. something

Sherry Go Sharing said...

we must watch out ourselves.

Sherry Go Sharing said...

night market here will see children sit middle of street beg

sweetytots said...

Jade,

thank you for your comment.. i wish i can do more for them.. and i wish they also know that they are responible for themselves and their family.. merry christmas! thanks for visiting.

Sherry Go Sharing said...

they are old folks living on street.. as family not want them

Sherry Go Sharing said...

its sad I saw in paper

Sherry Go Sharing said...

some old folk left staying in old folks home and not been visit

Sherry Go Sharing said...

so sad for them

Sherry Go Sharing said...

most people that need help will approach a society and then they will show on paper..

Sherry Go Sharing said...

I remembered one pregnant mom having pregnant twins baby and she has cancer.. :(

Sherry Go Sharing said...

its her second set twins she already have twins children

Mommy Jes said...

oh, i like what you did architect!!!

Mommy Jes said...

you know i wanted to do that a long time ago!!!

Mommy Jes said...

i just dnt have the courage to do that! =(

Mommy Jes said...

it's true that some of them were scary, but some are not nmn!

Mommy Jes said...

i had this experience kasi of my friend nung student p lng kme ....

Mommy Jes said...

were eating in a carinderia near our school (college days), there's a beggar asking for "palimos" then this friend of mine gave him his left over, surprisingly this beggar threw it away!!!!

Mommy Jes said...

threw it away, not in a garbage can or somewere else but right in front of my friends face!!!!

Mommy Jes said...

but still i wanted to gve them some help pa rin!

Mommy Jes said...

i used to give to the older one not to kids!

Mommy Jes said...

sometimes kids are buying "rugby" =(

Mommy Jes said...

i have seen so many families in streets nowadays...

Mommy Jes said...

there are lots of "mangyans" too that came along from their provinces thinking that they will have better xmas here.

Mommy Jes said...

kids were "namamasko" in jeepneys!

Mommy Jes said...

if you shoo them "mumurahin k nila"

Mommy Jes said...

how i wish i could help those street families too

Sherry Go Sharing said...

I think you can give them money or buy food for them

Sherry Go Sharing said...

I think if parent can't feed themselves they best not have too many children.

Sherry Go Sharing said...

now there is many way for prevention pregnant

Sherry Go Sharing said...

or can give up for adoption

Sherry Go Sharing said...

I read sad news baby throw away

Sherry Go Sharing said...

some found dead

Sherry Go Sharing said...

usually new born

Sherry Go Sharing said...

maybe lack of sex education

Sherry Go Sharing said...

education is important

Sherry Go Sharing said...

that is why we all must study and dont miss classes

Sherry Go Sharing said...

street family no home

Sherry Go Sharing said...

street is their home :(

Sherry Go Sharing said...

you are so kind!

Sherry Go Sharing said...

you have good heart

Sherry Go Sharing said...

I know you feel for them

Sherry Go Sharing said...

old clothes and shoes can still use

Sherry Go Sharing said...

I remembered I donate too but sore if they got it.. I was another place then.. my mom too donate

Sherry Go Sharing said...

its donated to orphanage

Sherry Go Sharing said...

the gov try to find street family to give them home/shelter