chellyblossomslikeherphotography:

 March 16, 2012, Friday

                       After lunch we decided to do our Sociology project under the heat of the sun. We contributed a humble amount of money to help out two families who are homeless. Ielle and Dalle bought some of the necessities needed by our beneficiaries. Things like, sleeping mats, pillows, umbrella and we donated some good old clothes. Dalle and Ielle also prepared lunch for them. And so we started looking for our beneficiaries.

            I have walked the street of Asturias in Dapitan many times but today was a different, there was a feeling of excitement and happiness. Today, we will help and take a look at their life. What’s good about today is we have something to offer a helping hand, a concern for their condition.  Teoti and I documented the whole scenario while Dalle and Paula carry our goodies for them. Ielle went on negotiation and asks questions before bringing us in.

            Our first beneficiary was a family, at first I wanted to drop the donations and run away but there was a feeling that maybe if I talk to them I would somehow understand why they are in this condition. But as soon as I saw the tears fell from the Ate’s eyes and how her children smiled at us, there were no question asked. Ate’s husband looked at his children as they eat our simple packed lunch, I see him held back his tears. We’re here for a purpose; this is not simply a requirement.

            And so we moved on.

            In the corner of Jollibee, Asturias an old lady sat there and the usual in a pleading and begging condition. She said that she was from Zamboanga and that she was here in Manila to have some money for her sick child. Lola was old to be lying in the cold street. And the same thing we drop all the donations we got. But our encounter with Lola was somehow new to me. After we drop our donations we cannot just leave because the notorious street children encompassed her. They were questioning the old lady to lend them the donations we gave her because they have helped her back then. And I could not just believe that this was a battle for survival, the streets and this people are not just here to plead and beg. They’re here to take each other breaths in order to survive. The darker side at the darkest.

And we just prayed, and after more minutes the notorious children gave in. However Lola gave some of the donation to I believed, a good kid.

            The experience was humbling. Makes me more appreciative of what I have, it makes me think that I should not complain in my state of life. And so I begin to know the purpose, why I’m in this state of life and why are they in that poor situation? ‘Cause maybe, it’s time to realize that the purpose was to care, to mind and to share. And it’s true that I’m a keeper of my fellow human beings. Having all of the blessings in my life now, which I thank God for, maybe I shouldn’t keep it stagnant. Maybe, I should pass it one. Maybe I should let God’s graces flow.