Street Children

Earlier this afternoon inside a jeepney, as i was returning along with my group mates from Amoranto Sports Complex, a disheveled and dirty child [a beggar] came inside and proceeded to wipe my and the other passengers's feet with a rag. After, he asked for alms, compensation for the duty he did, despite us [the passengers] not asking for it. However, the child was so small and pitiful that i eventually gave him some coins, while my group mates gave him what was left of their take-out food.

I normally give alms to begging children like the one i encountered today, but i wouldn't describe myself as a sucker for persons like them when i give them alms. I am even angered when my friends mock these kids, such as those children collecting bottles in UP and asking for food from students when they see them eating. The children may go overboard when they ask for food or spare change [they get forceful sometimes and demand more should be given to them], but still hindi dapat sila ginagago. Some people say i shouldn't give, for reasons such as that these children are only members of some syndicate that'll collect the alms after, that the children won't strive to make something better of themselves and remain as mendicants, etc. etc. But even so, when i come across them, i only see them as children, and nothing more. They didn't choose to become what they are now, and it always saddens me when i think of how they could be having another life other than begging; they could have a decent home, three meals a day, an education, and perhaps more. They won't have to endure the weather, or hunger, or the likely possibility of dying in the streets.

It's unfair that they have to experience these conditions, and it's unfair that many people not only have more, but much, much more. It's infuriating as well that it is very difficult for something to be done about it. Poverty is a problem that seems to have impossible solutions, especially in third-world countries such as the Philippines, where the slums easily outnumber the decent, normal homes.

A saddening thought for me as well is that despite all my rants about poverty and the condition of children begging in the streets, i go back to my life where i eat lots of food, where i experience the good life lots of times courtesy of some of my affluent relatives, where, even though it may not be much, i have money for myself and for my wants. I know i shouldn't feel it, but it's hard not to feel guilty when i'm enjoying myself, oftentimes while eating, but then i suddenly find myself face-to-face with children asking for some share of food and i don't give it since i am hungry as well.

I always dream of getting a good job with more than enough pay. And when i do get this job, will i do something for the plight of these children, or will i just remain as i am, a giver of leftover food, of alms, of parts of things they deserve but may never have?