By Maritoni Saberon | Project Leader
Curiosity dimmed is a future denied, however, for thirteen-year old Dondon, his curiosity nearly completely destroyed him as it led him to make wrong decisions that took a toll on his health and his life as a whole.
Speaking softly, Dondon recalled why he ran away from home to be with his friends. He chose to live on the streets to explore life away from his family. He was 10 years old then. Nothing dramatic happened at home. He simply enjoyed the company of his friends who taught him vices since he was nine years old. “Simula nung nine years old po ako, natuto na po akong manigarilyo. Noong wala na po ako sa amin, natuto din po akong gumamit ng marijuana kasama ang barkada. Binibigyan lang nila ako, hindi po ako bumibili. (Since nine, I have learned to smoke already. When I left home, that was when I learned to use marijuana with my peers. They just gave me, I never bought it.)”
Life was not comfortable on the streets for Dondon. He basically lived in a plaza with his friends. He admitted that they sometimes begged for money to buy food but they usually got bigger cash by providing assistance to foreigners who visited their area.
For almost three years, he had denied himself of the comforts of their home until he realized that he missed his family so much. He was so sick after an overnight drinking spree with his buddies. While he was battling with high fever, none of his friends cared for him. At that moment, he decided to just go home.
Although his family was so happy to have him back, his mother had already thought of referring him to the Children’s Joy Foundation, Inc. in Laguna, Philippines. Knowing that it was a chance to change for the better, he took the opportunity to be admitted in the CJFI shelter in 2015. There he gained new friends who treat him like a real brother. He learned to play the beat box and aims to learn how to play the guitar, too. He said that he has become more responsible now, taking part in the household chores and giving assistance to younger beneficiaries in the shelter.
Dondon sees himself as an engineer someday. This goal pushes him to do well in school. It also inspires him to change. “Hindi na ako nagbibisyo at nagmumura. Nakakatuwa din po kasi nung bumisita po ako sa amin, nagulat po talaga ang lahat pati mga kapitbahay po namin sa laki nang ipinagbago ko. Nagmano po ako sa mga nakakatanda kaya parang nanibago sila. (I stopped my vices. I stopped cursing. I am glad because when I visited my family, all including our neighbors were amazed at how much I have changed. I paid the elders my respect which surprised them, too.)”
His drive to discover new things outside the safety of his home may have taught him lessons in difficult circumstances. His stay in his new home and the love and care that the people have for him teach him more lessons that will guide him in his lifetime.
“I learned that what I am is a decision. Whether I choose to be good or bad, I am responsible for whatever happens to me. If I choose to be bad, then, I’ll be robbing myself of love, joy, peace and other blessings that I deserve. Otherwise, every good thing that I desire shall be given unto me. I choose to be better each day and I am grateful for your support. Thank you so much.”
Dondon is soon to graduate from elementary. More children like him benefit from your help, too. Thank you for helping us sustain our home-based programs for the abandoned, neglected and orphaned children. You have given them opportunities for change, restoring their belief in humanity after the painful experiences they went through. With your generosity, they have also learned to believe in themselves again.
By Maritoni L. Saberon | Project Leader
By Maritoni L. Saberon | Project Leader
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