By Hazel Z. | Project Leader
According to the United Nations’ Children's Rights and Emergency Relief Organization, the Philippines have over 1.8 million children who are "abandoned or neglected". This number does not include the millions more who are orphaned and those who, even with existing parents or guardians, are still living in extreme poverty.
Anthony used to be among these children. His mother left him when he was only five (5) years old and was left to fend for himself at a very young age.
“Nung 5 years old po ako, iniwan po ako ng aking nanay. Di ko po alam kung bakit. Siguro po hindi po niya ko mahal. (When I was 5 years old, my mother left me. I don’t know why she left. Maybe she does not love me.)”
Since Anthony was placed into the care of the Children’s Joy Foundation, he has grown to become a happy child who loves going to school and learning new things. When asked why school is important to him, he said that he likes going to school because he knows it is important for his future.
“Ayaw ko pong maging katulad ng maraming bata na palaboy-laboy sa kalye at lumaking walang pinag-aralan. Kaya nagpapasalamat po ako sa Children’s Joy Foundation kasi may tahanan na po ako ngaun at nakakapag-aral na po ako. (I don’t want to be like many children who are living in the streets and who grow up uneducated. That is why I thank the Children’s Joy Foundation because now I have a home and I can go to school.)”
Anthony who is now 11 years old is among the CJFI beneficiaries who were very excited when they learned about CJFI’s Computer Literacy Program.
“Mas madali po kasi gumawa ng assignment pag marunong mag-computer. Nakaka-research din po ako sa internet. (It is easier to do my assignments if I know how to use the computer. I can also do some research using the internet.)”
“Simula po nung dumating ako sa Children’s Joy Foundation, nakakakain na po ako ng limang beses sa isang araw. Hindi na po ako nagugutom. Binibigay din po nila ang ibang mga pangangailangan tulad ng damit, sapatos at iba pa. Maganda po at kumportable ang bahay namin at higit sa lahat pumapasok ako sa school. (Since I arrived in Children’s Joy Foundation, I can now eat five times a day. I no longer go hungry. They also provide all our needs like clothes, shoes, and more. Our home is nice and comfortable and most of all, I now attend school.)”
Anthony still longs for his mother but he is thankful that he found a family in Children’s Joy Foundation.
“Maraming salamat po sa lahat ng tumutulong sa Children’s Joy Foundation. Masaya po ako dahil alam ko po na meron po akong magandang kinabukasan. (Thank you so much to all who are helping Children’s Joy Foundation. I am happy because I know I will have a good future.)”
*** For the protection of the beneficiaries, the names used in this report are not their real names.
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