This blog started as a journal for my then 2 year old daughter, hence the title sweet, pretty and naughty, where I wrote her "first" adventures as a toddler. Fast forward to today..I'm in Brunei, trying my way through the adventures of what life will offer me. Expect to read about architecture,interior design, travel & most of all my musings as a mom. This blog is dedicated to my daughter...love you always. - Mommy
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
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64 comments:
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.
living on streets I saw here too
but they not really live on street they only come if there is night market
the newspaper said the kids are being pick up by van
not sure how true is that
must have got someone send them out to do that..
even woman with children
I read in paper that a beggar beg in street and he's a rich person in real life
imagine the job he did as beggar doing nothing
so always careful to watch out here..
many ppl said no give as will only encourage them do that
sometimes its hard to know which is real which is fake
I think parent should care the kids.. not let them wonder around
when I study in school teacher said the same dont run off as the bad guy will cut you!
really scary story she told the ppl take the kid and cut him :(
make kid real beggar.
I got email too saying that honeymoon couple went..honeymoon and wife was missing
she was hurt and face gets acid
very sad.. the hubby one day found her and do not know its her til saw her birth mark
she can't speak as she was force to drink.. something
we must watch out ourselves.
night market here will see children sit middle of street beg
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.
they are old folks living on street.. as family not want them
its sad I saw in paper
some old folk left staying in old folks home and not been visit
so sad for them
most people that need help will approach a society and then they will show on paper..
I remembered one pregnant mom having pregnant twins baby and she has cancer.. :(
its her second set twins she already have twins children
oh, i like what you did architect!!!
you know i wanted to do that a long time ago!!!
i just dnt have the courage to do that! =(
it's true that some of them were scary, but some are not nmn!
i had this experience kasi of my friend nung student p lng kme ....
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!!!!
threw it away, not in a garbage can or somewere else but right in front of my friends face!!!!
but still i wanted to gve them some help pa rin!
i used to give to the older one not to kids!
sometimes kids are buying "rugby" =(
i have seen so many families in streets nowadays...
there are lots of "mangyans" too that came along from their provinces thinking that they will have better xmas here.
kids were "namamasko" in jeepneys!
if you shoo them "mumurahin k nila"
how i wish i could help those street families too
I think you can give them money or buy food for them
I think if parent can't feed themselves they best not have too many children.
now there is many way for prevention pregnant
or can give up for adoption
I read sad news baby throw away
some found dead
usually new born
maybe lack of sex education
education is important
that is why we all must study and dont miss classes
street family no home
street is their home :(
you are so kind!
you have good heart
I know you feel for them
old clothes and shoes can still use
I remembered I donate too but sore if they got it.. I was another place then.. my mom too donate
its donated to orphanage
the gov try to find street family to give them home/shelter
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