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The following update is focused on the three weeks I spent in Manila visiting various Viva Network partner projects (mostly to do with Street Children). “Tell me, I will forget.
Show me, I may remember.
Involve me, I will understand.?
- Chinese Proverb

The Street Children of Manila

Rob Lilwall
2007-12-01 14:55:17

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The following update is focused on the three weeks I spent in Manila visiting various Viva Network partner projects (mostly to do with Street Children). "Tell me, I will forget.
Show me, I may remember.
Involve me, I will understand.?
- Chinese Proverb

"If we do not act, we shall surely be dragged down the long, dark, and shameful corridors of time reserved for those who possess power without compassion, might without morality, and strength without sight.?
-Martin Luther King Jr.

"When one child dies every 3 seconds just because they're poor, you can't stand by and let it happen?
- Make Poverty History campaigner, Berkhamsted, UK

Sunday morning in Manila: smog and noise rise from the vast elongated traffic jams which snake between glamour malls and horror slums in this hyper-congested mega-capital of The Philippines. I am struggling to push my way through a heaving mass of humans ? heading for church and attempting to keep up with my Filipino pastor friend who walks ahead of me somewhere amidst the jumble. Crossing the main road on an overpass we are funneled down a one way staircase back to street level. Half way down the steps I notice a sad collection of children sitting against the wall amidst our fast moving feet. Dirty baby faces and unevenly shaven heads, aged between about
five and ten years old, their grubby hands hold up broken plastic cups for money and their big brown eyes (crusted with muck) plead, plead, plead. What is their world like?

One little boy hops to his feet as I pass and grabs hold of my trousers ? he does not say anything, but he will not let go. His face is a little desperate scowl, his eyes implore at mine. "I cannot give you money little chap?, I justify to myself, "surely you are part of the begging syndicates which are well known in these parts ? anything I give will be snatched away by the big man who sends you daily to the ...

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wow your story amazes me . we are doing a project on how we could get our fellow classmates to get involved on how to help the children in philippines to receive education. I would love to have a video of your testimony about your experience in the philippines if i may or probably even more pictures would be nice .
My email is keziajoy@gmail.com. Thank you so much for sharing!

Joy, 2008-03-30 05:01:01