Almost a year ago since they joined the DSWD family camp in May 2014, Carl Jasper, Princess, Angelo and Jules aged 18, 16, 15 and 17, respectively, still remember the event that made them realize how enjoyable it is to be in a beautiful house. Thus, it encouraged them to finish their studies for them to have one in the future.
Aside from being in a beautiful house, the children also expressed gratitude that they are among the participants of the camping where they acquired learnings such as the value of education, proper hygiene and rights of the children, among others.
Carl Jasper Gabrido was reached-out from the street in 2012 as he was seen wiping the windscreens of private cars and public utility jeepneys without being bothered on the risks that he may incur on the street due to the said work.
With no financial support from his father who left them years ago, and as second to the eldest among his four (4) siblings, Carl Jasper decided to take it to himself and earn to help his mother in supporting the needs of their family.
Meanwhile, Princess Pineda was among the rag vendors in Manila wherein 2 years ago, at the age of 14, she can already skillfully dance her way to the window of every vehicle in the road to sell rags.
On the other side of Manila streets, there were Angelo Guevarra and Jules Ianne Escultura. They were “barker” and windscreen wiper a year ago and just like Carl Jasper, they are also unaware of the danger in their lives for doing such street activities.
In 2014, after being reached-out from the streets, the four (4) children became active participants in the learning sessions at District V, Manila activity center for children where the Department of Social Welfare and Development – National Capital Region (DSWD-NCR) street facilitators referred the reached-out children from nearby areas.
The children affirmed that they all have a house where they can sleep at night; however, due to their respective circumstances, they voluntary engage themselves to street dwelling.
“Nung nakaranas po kameng tumuloy sa magandang bahay doon po sa Island Cove (in Cavite), parang nagising po ako na hindi dapat ako lumalaboy sa kalsada… dapat pala pahalagahan ko ang edukasyon ko para balang araw ay magakaroon ako ng magandang kinabukasan,” Angelo said while reminiscing his family’s experience in the camp.
“Isa pa po sa talagang nakapagpasaya sa amin ay yung nagka-bonding kaming pamilya. Simula kasi ‘nung iniwan kame ng tatay ko ay hindi na kame nagkasama-sama para magsaya bilang isang pamilya,” Carl Jasper added.
Just after the camping, Carl Jasper, Angelo and Jules decided to go back to school, hoping that when they finish their studies, they may also bring such unforgettable experiences to their family.
Fortunately, the three recently finished their Alternative Learning System (ALS) at Adamson University wherein if they will pass in the qualifying exam they took on January 25, 2015, Carl Jasper and Jules will be recognized as high school graduates while Angelo will already be considered as elementary graduate.
“Pangarap ko pong maging pulis, para makatulong ako sa pagsagip sa mga batang lansangan na katulad ko, sana ay mabigyan ‘din sila ng pagkakataong mai-pagpatuloy ang pag-aaral at masimulan ang pagbuo sa mga pangarap nila,” Jules shared.
The three children were enrolled as scholars at Adamson University through the facilitation of District V, Manila activity center staff and the DSWD-NCR’s street facilitator who are monitoring the performance and other activities of the children.
Further, Princess is now in her 3rd year level at Manuel L. Roxas High School wherein every after her class, she always proceeds to the activity center where she spends her whole afternoon away from the raging vehicles on the street.
“Nung nakasama po kame sa camp, nalaman ko na karapatan ng bata ang makapaglaro at makapag-aral, ‘dun namulat ang kaisipan ng aking pamilya na hindi dapat ako mamalagi sa kalsada lalo na at babae po ako,” Princess said.
Princess dreams to be a nurse someday while Carl Jasper and Angelo want to be an Information Technologist and Engineer, respectively, in the future.
These children are among the 525 individuals in Metro Manila who were reached-out by DSWD-NCR in 2014, under the Comprehensive Program for Street Children, Families, and Indigenous Peoples especially Bajaus, for provision of social services and referral to the concerned LGUs or residential care facilities for temporary shelters.### (DSWD FO-NCR, Social Marketing Office, Feb.10, 2015)