Help Feed and Send to School Poor Kids in the Phil

          Finding real peace is heartbreaking when you are left with a huge responsibility that is supposedly shouldered by your parents. That was how Joanna, 10, felt when their mother left her with three little siblings to care for; the youngest was barely one year old.

          Feeding themselves was a struggle. She had to fetch water for her neighbors to earn P300 or less than US$6 a month. She learned to budget for their needs- rice, viand, drinking water, a small pack of powdered milk and sugar. Hearing all these things, I was amazed. She was quick to explain that she would prepare watery milk for the baby and sweeten it with sugar just to stretch the milk supply longer. Whenever it ran out, she would feed the baby with mashed rice softened by hot water.

            Joanna further revealed that fear always gripped her heart at night. Afraid that the kerosene lamp might burn their house while they slept, Joanna would put it off before she dozed off. Her 5-year old sister quipped, “Nakakatakot kasi madilim. Natutulog na lang kami kaagad. (It was scary because it was dark. We just go to sleep immediately.).”

          One day, Joanna was frightened when the baby got sick. “Nagkasakit yung baby. Nilagnat siya. Nilagyan ko ng face towel na may yelo ang noo. Tapos, bumaba na lagnat niya. (The baby got sick. He had fever. I put a towel with ice on his forehead then his fever subsided).” She said that she learned what she did from her mother.

            With the hardships that she encountered, however, she never thought of giving away her siblings. She said that seeing them intact gave her comfort in the midst of uncertainties.

            In March 2015, the siblings were referred to Children’s Joy Foundation, Inc. by the local government’s social workers. However, since the baby was underage and could not be admitted at CJFI with them, Joanna cried like a mother whose baby was being separated from her. After a while, having understood that the baby will be admitted at a nearby foundation and will be cared for properly, she gave in. The promise that they could visit him regularly assured and comforted her.

            At the shelter, the three siblings easily adjusted with the new people and environment. They are provided with their basic needs like food, clothes, and free education. “Binibigyan kami ng pagkain, mga damit. Nakakapag-aral na rin po kami. Pagkagaling sa school, nagtu-tutor po sa amin yung mga houseparents para matuto po kami. (They give us food and clothes. We are also going to school now. After school, we have tutorial sessions with our houseparents so that we will learn well),” Joanna shared in a soft tone.

            Her stay at the shelter has helped her in many ways. “Marunong na akong magsaing ng kanin, magluto ng ulam tulad ng pritong isda, hotdog, itlog. Tumutulong po ako sa kusina. Naglalaba rin po ako ng mga damit ko. Marunong na rin akong magtiklop ng mga damit. (I can cook rice and viand like fried fish, hotdogs, and eggs. I help in the kitchen. I wash my own clothes. I also learned how to fold my clothes),” she paused then added, “pati mag-pray (and how to pray)”.

            “What do you pray for?” I asked. She fell silent and tears welled in her eyes. She looked at me seriously now, “Sana magkakasama na kaming magkakapatid. Sana makasama na namin ang aming bunso. (I wish that we can all be together. I wish that our youngest brother can be with us.”

            It took me a while to say something. I assured her that her little brother was fine and that when he is bigger, then, they can be together at the shelter. She nodded in agreement.

            Before we ended our conversation, I asked the center head to give them a treat as I was flying back to my hometown early the next day. The three children were elated!

            Then I asked her what she would like to be in the future. Joanna said, “Katulad ng mga ate. Gusto kong mag-alaga din ng mga bata dito sa CJF. (I wish to be like our big sisters (social workers or house parents) here. I want to take care of the children here at CJF, too).”

            As they were preparing to leave, I caught a glimpse of Joanna smiling, her arms over the shoulders of her brother and sister.

            The pain of abandonment taught Joanna how important it is for a child to truly feel loved, safe, and cherished. She thanks all the generous sponsors who make it possible for them to get help, making them feel how truly wonderful they are.

            You can help more children like Joanna have a loving home where they can be children. On June 15, Global Giving offers a 50% match to every online donation beginning at 9:01 a.m. EDT or 2:01 p.m. BST until funds run out. There are US$ 110, 000 in matching funds available on GlobalGiving.org and £10,000 on GlobalGiving.co.uk. Your donation will help us provide the basic needs of children who are abandoned, neglected and orphaned in the six CJFI residential care centers in the Philippines. Also, sharing this amazing news with others will be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much!