By Maritoni L. Saberon | Project Leader
Death in the family often leaves the bereaved devastated and lost. Jericho, 14, lost his two youngest siblings to hepatitis in March and April 2014, respectively. The pain of losing two of the people closest to him was so deep that he wondered how death can be so selfish to deprive them of the joy of being together.
As if their deaths were not enough, his mother died of similar disease in May of the same year. He could vividly recall that midnight when he took charge of their store in the market because his mother was so ill. The shocking news of her death the next morning left him numb and hurt. All of a sudden, he lost sight of the future, uncertainties and fear filled his senses. It was difficult for him to look beyond the sorrow.
The lack of funds for her burial made matters worse. He asked their friends, neighbors, and relatives for financial support but still they could not afford a decent burial for his mother. After waiting for more than three weeks, they decided to put her lifeless body in a wooden cart and buried it.
His father, a fish vendor, could not face the responsibility of raising them alone. He left and never came back. Jericho and his three other siblings lived in their grandmother’s house for a while.
Jericho longed to go to school and learn. He was nine years old at that time. He decided to bring his siblings to the government social agency in their area where they were admitted. There they stayed for two years but his dream of education was not fulfilled since the agency only offered food and shelter.
Not long after, they were referred to the Children’s Joy Foundation, Inc. because of their persistent wish to study. "Masaya po ako dahil nakakapag-aral na po ulit ako. Hindi po ako nahihiya kahit ako po ang pinakamalaking estudyante sa Grade II. Lubos po akong nagpapasalamat lalong-lalo na po at kasama ko ang aking mga kapatid. (I am happy because I am attending school again. I am not ashamed even if I am the biggest student in Grade 2, instead, I am very thankful especially that my siblings and I are together.)”
Jericho further shared that he is now learning how to use the computer through the CJFI’s computer literacy program. "Isa din po sa pasasalamat ko ay nabigyan po ako ng oportunidad na makahawak ng mga high-tech na laptop at kung paano po ito gamitin, alam ko po na magagamit ko po ito sa panahong darating. (I am also thankful that I have been given the opportunity to learn how to use high-technology laptops. I know that I can use these computer skills in the future.)”
As this lad tried so hard to conceal the tears, he shyly whispered, “Thank you.” His smile as he looked down spoke of relief and pure gratitude that made me thankful of the help that was extended to them.
Looking at Jericho, his maturity surpasses his age. The turning point in the process of his growing up was when he discovered the strength within him that survived all the hurt. For all Global Givers, thank you for giving all the children like Jericho a reason to smile. May you continue to spread the love by sharing this project, Help 500 Children Be Literate in Computer , with your family and friends.
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