Finding Hope In The Unfortunate (SOP Journal #3)

Finding hope in the unfortunate. Many people may find this paradoxical statement to be false, but last December 8, 2012, I found out otherwise.

As I awoke from my deep slumber, worn out from a night dedicated to school, thoughts of my assigned family’s future surfaced in my mind. I imagined how Joshua and Jonas would be like 10 years from now. Images of happy people and a simple, yet warm and fulfilling household started forming in my head. I was in this trance for about 5 minutes until I finally snapped out of it. I was honest with myself, and thought: how can poor and naive people like them honestly stand a chance in a world where opportunities and benefits favor only the rich? This thought continued to linger within me.

We arrived at Barangay Salapan at approximately 8:15 AM, and waited anxiously to meet our family. This time, however,  while we were walking towards the place they lived, three kids that were playing, ran to us excitedly and greeted us. It was Jonas, Joshua, and a familiar face. As usual, we were met with smiles stretching from ear to ear. Because Jonas and Joshua are part of my assigned family, they accompanied me to their house. When I went in their house, which was just actually one room the size of a bathroom, lots of other kids started calling each other, announcing my presence and arrival. When they all came in, I put out my plastic bag full of biscuits and snacks that were just laying in some corner in my house, and started handing it over to them. They were like 10, so my snacks were not really able to accomodate all of them. Because of this, I expected there to be some fights and arguments over who gets to keep the snacks, but there wasn’t. They distributed it to each other as if they were one big happy family. Those with 2 snacks, generously gave to those who had none, while those who had none, graciously and gratefully accepted. This was one of the most beautiful and enthralling moments I’ve experienced. I imagined what the world would be like if everyone was like this; the rich helping the poor, and the strong helping the weak. I was just about to sermon myself with the argument that such a paradise was mere fantasy, and would remain like that forever. However, it was at that moment that I remembered telling myself earlier in the morning that the poor don’t have the slightest chance at a happy and satisfying future. Different emotions and thoughts started to clash in my head. I was having great difficulty in understanding what I was thinking, and what was happening in front of me, then I realized, this was it. It is possible for the children to have a happy future, because it was happening right then and there; There was a simple, yet warm and fulfilling household. Happy kids, about the age of 8 on average, enjoying the things that I myself take for granted. The household does not make the occupants; the occupants make the household. In the same way, the future does not shape us; we shape our own future. These kids, although they might not be as rich as tycoon Henry Sy, or as classy as celebrity George Clooney, they will be happy their whole life, that even without the luxuries of having a Playstation 3, or having a house the size of a soccer field, they will always be satisfied with whatever they have. With this in mind, I spent the rest of the day relaxed, that no matter what, a bright future awaits these kids.

A Profound Discovery (SOP Journal #2)

Last December 1, 2012, I had yet another fun yet meaningful experience in Barangay Salapan for our second day of the Saturday Outreach Program (SOP).

On our arrival at Barangay Salapan, i arrived to see a multitude of new faces awaiting to greet us. Today’s SOP was the same as the one last week, except i learned a lot more about my assigned family. I learned that just the day before, their cockfighting chicken was stolen, and that there were also other times when people broke into their house to steal the little furniture they had. It’s really sad to think how the poor steal from the poor. It’s like people stricken with a contagious disease trying their best to infect other people. Only now have I understood why people say Crab Mentality is and has been part of the Filipino culture. Like crabs in a bucket, they their best to make ensure that if someone gets out of the bucket, it’s them. In the end, none of them are able to get out because whenever a crab tries to escape, other crabs drag it down and try to take its place.

Anyway, other than this, I was able to bond with my assigned family. Jonas, Joshua, Norhoney, Cedric, MJ, JR are the names of the kids who i was able to get closer with the most. Unlike me, they are very easy to please. We taught them how to play chopsticks, a simple game that only requires 2 hands, 10 fingers, and basic addition and subtraction skills. Ever since we taught them the game, they’ve been playing non-stop as if they were obliged to do so, and we spent most of the morning doing just that, and not for one second did the innocent smiles on their faces fade away. Aside from this, I was able to help Ate Rose hang the clothes. It was an extremely easy and hassle-free job, but it was exactly what she needed. Ate Rose is pregnant, almost in completion of one full term. She even told me that she might not be there anymore the next time I visited. Despite her pregnancy, however, she continued to work restlessly and just keep her head up. Such is life in Barangay Salapan. People continue working hard and just think positively even though they live in a very depressed area. Actually, depressed is not the correct word to describe where they live, because the people living in it are quite the opposite. 

Next week, when me and my mentoring group arrives once more at Barangay Salapan for the third day of our SOP, I’m sure that we will be greeted by the same happy faces that have welcomed us and bid us goodbye just a while ago. It’s a sight I probably will never forget, and one that I will continue to remember whenever I feel depressed or even just bored.

My First Taste Of Life In Another World (SOP Journal# 1)

Ever since civilization started, man has always been wondering what life away from the serenity and blue-green beauty of our home was like. However, just last saturday, November 24, 2012, I’ve had my own taste of life in another world.

The day started with the same routine as any normal school day; wake up at 5:30 am, wash my hair, eat breakfast, put on the right clothes, then leave for school. I woke up and spent my morning thinking that what lay ahead of me was nothing to feel special about, but I was later proved wrong by the things I was about to see.

When I arrived at Barangay Salapan with my mentoring group for our Saturday Outreach Program (SOP), several thoughts ran through my mind, most of which were thoughts of getting the SOP over with, and spending the rest of my day laid back comfortably on my bed while listening to my favorite music, coupled with my favorite snacks. After I was introduced to my family, I warmly shook their hands, and immediately put myself in their service. Despite of their situation, however, they did not really make me do any work. Instead, I spent most of the day playing with the children and getting to know them better. I am proud to announce that I was able to spend enough time with them to be able to know that they like Lemonsquare cheesecakes, chocolate filled muffins, playing chess, basketball, and playing with marbles. What shocked me the most in this short but meaningful experience, was how even though they are evidently in poverty, they never fail to show off a huge and heartwarming smile that stretched from ear to ear along their faces; how their happiness would constantly overshadow their sad situation in life, that they were one of the unfortunate ones who were born poor, into a world where many must suffer for a few to live extravagantly. That I, one of the lucky ones who was born and raised in a upper-middle-class family, would always rather choose to look at the bad side of life than the good things that are all around me. That for the times my maids would finish preparing lunch a 20 minutes late, make my bowl of hot chocolate too viscous, and forget to wake me up early in the morning, I would already get furious and would allow this anger to consume my being for the rest of the day. Today, after spending approximately 3 hours with a materially poor family, I have discovered that wealth lies not only in material goods. Rather, real wealth lies at how we view the life we live.

Whenever I make my way to school, I never fail to conjure up thoughts about fulfilling my dreams and ambitions of becoming rich when I grow older. Now, after my first SOP experience for the school year 2012-2013, I have found that as a youth with much opportunity and blessing, I need to learn how to care for the welfare and benefit of others as I gradually accomplish my dreams. After all, we, the Filipino people, are all in this together. It is with this mindset that I wish to spend the rest of our SOP’s.

Saturday Outreach Program Journal Entry #3

A few days back, we had our third SOP program. This time, all we did was watch a movie, and have a quick snack with the kids, because of the Ateneans’ presence in Boystown. Despite having lesser time to interact with the kids, I still believe that we spent our time wisely, and productively, as we were able to get to know the  kids better, and how unlike us, they are so easy to please.

Words could not explain the looks on their faces, as they watched a cartoon, in a screen the size of which they have never seen before. They all looked differently, but this time they all had a wide big smile that made each of them look alike. This is yet another thing, from which I have gained insights. I realized that we should be content with what we have, especially since we are more blessed than those kids are. We often fail to see how blessed we are in this world, and as a result, we neglect the things given to us. The utensils in your dining room, your bed in your bed room, your sofa in your living room, and the roof above your head. All these things, are things that many others are not lucky enough to have. Therefore whenever you feel depressed, remember the blessings you received, and give thanks and praise to the almighty and merciful God, who has showered us with countless blessings.

Saturday Outreach Program Journal Entry #2

Just yesterday, I had my second session of the SOP, after which I had mixed emotions. I felt happy that I was able to impart even a small bit of love within their hearts, and sad to see some of them not willing to share the food we gave them with the other kids who did not have enough. This is something about them I hope to change through the coming weeks, not by force but by showing them what it really means to be generous. I want them to know that they can find happiness and success through the good deeds they accomplish, and that even the act of sharing a bag of chips with another can make a difference.

From this session, I learned that the reason why I am so happy to spend time with these kids, is because when I see them, I also see myself. Through them, I am reminded of the times that I too, am not willing to share my food with others, despite having much more than those kids in boystown did. This made me realize that like those kids, I’m human; I’m not perfect. How can one make the world a land of love and respect, if he himself, is not a person of love and respect? Thus before changing those kids, I first need to change myself, and be a good example to them.

Saturday Outreach Program Journal Entry #1

Never before have I felt so lucky and blessed, until I visited the Boys home or “Boys’ town” in Marikina City, a place where less fortunate kids who are often abandoned by their parents stay.

A few weeks ago, my mentoring group was assigned to go to Boys’ town where we will conduct our Saturday Outreach Program for four weeks. My initial feeling was sadness, as I was disappointed that we were not assigned to go to Kythe, a place for kids with serious diseases. My thoughts, however, turned around completely as I saw the glimmering faces of kids who had a very sad history, laugh, play, and have a good time. As soon as these kids were instructed to choose their partners, I immediately felt a thump on my leg, and looked down to see a small, innocent, and excited boy holding and pulling my hand, telling me to follow him. While he was showing me around the area, he was telling me about things like school, his wishes, and rumors around boys’ town, as if he was a normal boy. We were exchanging thoughts, stories, and opinions until we bid each other goodbye. This experience really struck my heart, and I promised myself that I would do what I can to make his life better and more meaningful. I learned that I am very blessed indeed, as I am fortunate enough to have a loving family, a good education, and sufficient food, unlike most of the kids around us who are forced to work by their parents. I also learned that God is truly a good God, as he truly takes care of his children who are in need, like those kids who were able to end up in boys town, where they are shown love by those who are selfless enough to work in such an area. This experience definitely removed the veil from my face, and for this I am truly grateful.