Help Feed and Send to School Poor Kids in the Phil

          Street children like Tikboy have the right for a decent life that other children enjoy. Born and raised on the streets, he thought that what he had were the only things that he needed to survive- a cardboard for a bed, a big shirt to keep him warm and a piece of bread that other people would give him for his meal.

          At four years old, Tikboy struggled to survive life’s ordeals on the streets. He had to beg for food each waking moment in the morning to feed himself. He said that when other people would not give him food, he asked for money. What he understood was he had to eat something when his stomach ached because of hunger. So, he developed a never-give-up attitude in order to live. When one refused, he had to move on asking others for food until someone would at least give him a piece of bread which he would share with his brother.

          With no house to live in, he endured all the natural elements like the rain and the mosquitoes to have a good night’s sleep. When it rained, he would transfer to the floor where he would not get wet. He had no blanket and pillow but he said that he had another cardboard to cover him while he slept.

          All these hardships are behind Tikboy now. Life made a 360 degree turn for him and his brother when they were referred to the Children’s Joy Foundation, Inc. in March 2014 after their parents neglected them. He was so happy with the changes. “Pag-abot nako diri sa CJF, nalipay ko kay daghang pagkaon. Naa miy mga higdaanan. Naa miy tindahan. Naa miy tigluto. Naa miy nagabuhat ug empanada. (When I came here at CJF, I was so happy because food is abundant. We have beds. We have a store, We have a cook and one who cooks meat popovers.)” He further said that he has his own bed, clothes, a pillow and a blanket.

          School is one more thing that Tikboy is excited about every day. He wakes up at 5 o’clock in the morning, takes a bath and prepares to join other beneficiaries in the devotional prayer. He loudly prays for everybody and gives thanks for everything that he receives. After that, he takes his breakfast at the dining area, washes his own plate, and rushes to change into his school uniform. When he is not as fast as the other children, he just brings his socks and shoes to the CJFI vehicle and manages to wear them while the vehicle is moving.

         “I go to school. I can write my name. I can draw and color, too,” he proudly shared. He enjoys the singing of nursery rhymes and loves the company of his classmates. At five years old now, Tikboy firmly said that he will not go back to the street anymore. “I will study well. When I grow up, I want to be a fireman.” At this young age, he also learns the value of gratefulness as he thanks everyone who has helped him live a new life. “Nagpasalamat ko nga gida mi diri sa CJF. Gitagaan mi ug pagkaon. Gipaeskwela mi. Panalanginan mo sa Amahan. Thank you. I love you. (I am thankful that you brought us here in CJF. We have food to eat and we go to school. God bless you. Thank you. I love you.)”

          Indeed, his experiences on the streets have made Tikboy tough and more determined to live a better life. How he sees himself when he grows old shows the fighter within him. A home with an atmosphere of love and care and the guidance of houseparents will surely keep the dream alive until its realization in the future.

          Thank you for helping us to feed and send to school destitute children in the Philippines like Tikboy. Your donations have helped us sustain the operations of the six CJFI residential care homes for the abandoned, orphaned, and neglected children in the country. Your continuous support will surely make a big difference in a child’s life.

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• Watch this video to see the impact of your help.