By Maritoni L. Saberon | Project Leader
A picture of pure joy; sounds of heartwarming laughter and giggles welcomed us when we arrived at the CJFI residential center in Davao City, Philippines one Saturday afternoon. The children, including Ana, 10 years old, were playing various games, enjoying each other’s company and just having a good time.
Ana stopped and smiled when she saw me. She knew beforehand that I was to interview her. Conscious of her smell from playing, she hurriedly went to her room and freshened up. It took her a while before she came out, showing her dimples as she smiled.
Comfortably seated in the office, she calmly narrated what happened when she was nine years old. While her father was away with a new family, her mother died of cervical cancer. They were five siblings but only three of them were present that time. Her own father wanted to take her to Manila but she refused to leave her half-sisters behind. He then just promised to support her studies financially.
Left with no choice, her 17-year old sister decided to just refer her two younger sisters including Ana to an orphanage with the prodding of their neighbors. Fear gripped Ana’s heart; uncertainties overwhelmed her being. Her only comfort was the idea of being with her half-sister wherever fate would bring them.
Fate eventually led them to an orphanage where life seemed less ideal. Although their basic needs were provided, they lived in fear. Fights among beneficiaries were common. Discipline was carried out through punishment. “Minsan pag napagbintangan ka, papaluin ka. Minsan di ka pakakainin. Kunwari di mo pinakain yung manok, di ka rin kakain ng buong araw (Sometimes, when you are accused, you would be hit. Sometimes, you will be deprived of food. For example, if you were not able to feed the chickens, you could not have your meals the whole day.),” Ana shared.
After two years, the said orphanage was closed down. The government’s social agency in the area looked for other orphanages that could accommodate the 40 beneficiaries. Ana and her sister were assigned to a center that was run by nuns for a week. They were fine, however, permanent admission was not possible because her sister’s age was beyond the required age for its beneficiaries. Their search ended up at the Children’s Joy Foundation, Inc. residential center which readily accommodated them together.
“Iyak ako nang iyak kasi nakakapanibago, wala akong close (I cried and cried because things seemed different. I had no close friends.)” Ana revealed that the change of environment and the new people she would be dealing with overwhelmed her at first. She later realized that the houseparents were kind and the other children were good. “Mababait sila. May disiplina ang mga bata. Dito, pinagsasabihan lang (ang bata pag may kamalian) pero hindi sila namamalo. (They are good. The children are disciplined. Here, they just talk to the child who commits a mistake but they don’t hit him or her.)”
On her second day at the center, she joined the music classes where they were taught to play various musical instruments. She enjoyed discovering her talents for the first time. Knowing that she can be good at something was a comfort that builds within her the self-confidence, a liberating feeling from the insecurities of having to face life without her own parents. Now at 14, she can play the guitar, clarinet and banduria. She plays the clarinet with an orchestra in their church services every Sunday.
Moreover, studying in a private school is one of the things that Ana is most grateful for. Dreaming of becoming a physician someday, diligence in studying and prayers are her sure ways to success.
Of course, Ana never forgets to thank God for all the good things in her life that most of the times outweigh the bad. She also thanks all the people who have helped her overcome every trial in her life.
“Sa lahat ng mga tumutulong, nagpapasalamat ako kasi di ako pinapababayaan. Laging may sumusuporta. Kahit anong gawin, hindi nagsasawa. Kapag may kailangan laging nandyan. Sa pag-aaral ko, sa lahat ng mga needs ko, meron lahat. Salamat po. (To all of those who help me, I am thankful that you never took me for granted. There is always somebody who supports me. In everything that I do, you never get tired of giving me support. When I need something, you are always there. In my studies, all my needs are provided. Thank you.)”
She also thanked all the CJFI houseparents for lovingly taking care of her. “Mas pinili nilang mag-alaga ng mga bata kesa i-enjoy nila ang kanilang pagkadalaga (They have chosen to take care of us instead of enjoying their singleness.)”
Ana further said that if not for all the help that she gets from other people, she could have been on the streets begging for alms just to have food to eat. Indeed, it’s a relief that there are people like you who have soft spots for neglected children like Ana who draw strength from those who show them love and compassion. Thank you for helping us to keep a home away from their homes.
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