Awesome S.M.I.L.E Charity Event: Sharing Love and Hope to the Street Children of Cebu City, Philippines.

juichi (73)in #awesomesmile • 6 years ago (edited)

Poverty is the principal predicament in our country. Despite of our boosting economy today, we cannot deny the facts that there are unfortunate families who are left behind. One of them are families who are homeless and living in the streets, who are anticipating that a good fortune may come in their ways. And whose kids are named as street children.

Steemians all over the world! Last June-2/2018 was a charity event of our community @steemph.cebu. Headed by @indayclara on her Awesome S.M.I.L.E Project, held at St.Louise Amigo Ladies Dormitory Pelaez Street Cebu, City Philippines.

This dormitory is run by Nuns and everyday, except Tuesday and Sundays they let street children to take a shower, feed them and give them their basic needs like bath soap, shampoo, toothpaste and they even have individual lockers. They also have a chance to play basketball on these days. As I was talking to a nun named sister Maricel, who is one of the staff of the dormitory she told me, that they been doing this since 2014. Before, they have to go to the streets to look for street children to give them foods. But now they open this dormitory so that the street children had a chance to be with them, bring their friends and for a while forget their life in the street. They take care of them and let them feel that they are special. They cater those kids until they are 13 years old.
As we arrived in the area there are already kids and families who are patiently waiting outside the gate of the dorm.

The gate was open at 8:30 in the morning. And the kids were asked to take a bath. Before the program starts.

What caught my attention was this kid named Mark. After taking a bath I noticed the bandage on his feet. It made him hard to walk. His wounds are being treated by a nun. He was assisted in putting on his clothes. As I talked to him, he told me that he was hit by a taxi last Wednesday. After the incident he was brought to the hospital. Since, he has no family to take care of him, Mark was brought to the dormitory.

Inspite of all the pain that he'd been through, Mark never forgets to smile. He just simply say "ok rako, sagdii lang maayo rani kuya, ikaduha nani nko nga disgrasya" I'm ok I will be healed this is my second accident. The nun told me that, Mark lately was also in an accident when his feet was got hooked in a bicycle's wheel.

The kids were given a name tag by @cristianyocte and @iamqueenlevita for them to be counted and they are almost 60.

The first part of the program, was coloring contest. This is to showcase the talent of the kids in coloring.

While they are busy coloring, I was talking with this kid named Princess. She was with her sister. She was so shy and silent and not even mingling with other kids. I asked her what's her problem, she told me that her mother is already dead. She is living with her father. Seems that she doesn't want to talk about her life. Whatever the reason is, she just keep it to herself. She whispered at me that she wanted to have a headband. And I told her you should participate during the games.
When she's on her way home I gave her some foods and I asked her to give it to her father. She smiled at me and say " thank you kuya".

Followed by the basketball games headed by our core leader @jassennessaj. The kids were having so much fun with the steemians. They were cheering for their team. They are enjoying the moment like there's no tomorrow!
I felt pitty for them thinking the life they have been in the street. All the sacrifices that they have. I was reall thinking, when rain comes where would they stay for a shelter? Who would help them when they need medical attention? But in their age they still managed to overcome all these trials in life.

Parlor games, this is the most enjoyable part of the program. All participants aim to win. What adds the excitement was the prizes. Their dream watches, headbands and a lot more!

They were all winners! All of them received prizes.

Finally the game has ended. It is now time for their lunch. Their pack lunch was distributed by our co-steemians , and they paid attention to the little ones.

All of them received give aways. It contains rice, groceries, slippers, and clothes.

@indayclara turned over to the charity in- charge , the basic needs of the children boxes of bath soap, detergents, mats, balls for the children if ever they are going to play basketball,

The program has ended and it was one of my unforgettable experience being with these street children and the families who make street as their home sweet home!

My Sentiments

As I was talking with the kids they have different reason why they choose to live in the streets, domestic violence, physical and emotional abuse, poverty in the family and disaster ( they lost their home because of fire and thypoons)

Street children's are often victims of any harm, sexual abuse, exploitation and violence and they do not have the strength to defend themselves. And some people use them in drug dealings and stealing. They take advantage of their innocence.
Their insanitary way of living makes them prone to sickness and deseases like this two kids who have skin problems.

Every child requires love, care, security and education. It is the duty of us parents. If they feel unloved that is one of the reason why they choose to live in the street. Like this teenage mother. She lives in the street and find a husband who is a street child also. It made me think what future awaits for these children.

Children's living on the street seldom find a chance to have proper education. This hindersb their growth and mental development. This will lead them to struggle more as they grow.

As a volunteer it was an opportunity to have shared in their happiness. Spending time with them brought smile to their faces. It increases their trust to other people and a feeling of being loved. It was an unquestionably rewarding experienced for me, as a volunteer.

I would like to express my gratitude to the following sponsors for making the Awesome S.M.I.L.E charity event a successful one;
@youarehope, @tarekadam, @pennsif @aggroed, @cryptocurator, @gmuxx, @goldenwayne, @mother2chicks, @steemcommunity, @redrica, @nikolina, @themanualbot, @jassenneasaj, @yehey, @surpassinggoogle.