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| Lalaine and her grandmother, Anna, standing in front of their “house.” The blue tarp in the background covers their makeshift home, erected atop a stretch of sidewalk. |
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| By Deron Denton |
A hard life
Bleating horns…squealing tires and brakes…the constant, clattering roar of diesel engines…
These are the things Lalaine has grown accustomed to waking up to. She’s even learned how to sleep under these conditions. It’s all a normal part of the 9-year-old’s existence.
But on Quezon City’s sweltering, steamy days, when the wind is still, there is one thing Lalaine cannot get used to. It’s something the human body just can’t take. Sometimes, the “door” of her makeshift home is unfortunately aligned with the exhaust pipe of an idling truck outside, mere inches away. The pipe can fill the air inside, essentially belching smoke directly into her lungs like a chimney with a closed flue.
When Lalaine was born, her mother couldn’t care for her. So her 72-year-old grandmother, Anna, began raising her.
Anna told us that Lalaine was in terrible health, suffering from a host of ailments, including malnourishment and bronchitis. At the time, Anna had steady work as a laundrywoman. She eventually lost that job and hasn’t had regular work since.
The two of them now live inside a wood-and-tarp structure. Their home literally sits on the sidewalk of a truck parking lot.
When we first met Lalaine, she was running errands for neighbors, truckers and other local business persons.
Although Anna understandably didn’t want us to know it, Lalaine also spent much of her time begging on the streets, hoping to earn enough each day to keep herself and her grandmother from going hungry.
A stark difference
Each morning – across from the truck parking lot – 11-year-old Princess prepares for school. Part of her regular schedule is to wake up early and review her notes from the previous day’s classes.
Now in the 5th grade, Princess is still proud of the fact that she was on the honor roll three years ago…she’s been working hard to get back on it ever since. “I hope to become a teacher someday,” she says. Princess adds that it makes her sad to see children like Lalaine who aren’t able to attend school regularly. “I want children like me – like them – to get a proper education.” |
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“I do my best in school,” says Princess, “and hope to
finish my education.” Sponsorship is helping make her
goal a reality. |
The hope of sponsorship
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Princess has had many advantages Lalaine never had. Two supportive and able-bodied parents make a big difference.
As does sponsorship.
Mercedita, Princess’ mother, says that if it weren’t for sponsorship, “I’m not sure we could afford to send [my children] to school.” The gifts and other material support they receive from Children International – including the free medical and dental services – are things she says her neighbors long for.
And it’s something we hope Lalaine and her grandmother won’t have to long for very much longer… |
Leaping from one truck to another as her friends watch,
Lalaine’s future is looking a little brighter. |
While we know it can’t solve all of their problems, sponsorship will go a long way toward keeping Lalaine in school and off the streets. Educationally, she is currently three years behind her peers. Sponsorship could help her catch up.
And that would certainly make her humble dream of someday “working in an office” much more realistic.
Editor’s note:
Our staff in Quezon City is making every effort to get Lalaine enrolled in the sponsorship program. Unfortunately, her grandmother is resistant to sending her to school and forfeiting the money Lalaine earns from begging.
While maintaining contact with the two, staff have also been seeking ways to help find them permanent housing. We hope to resolve these issues and get Lalaine into the sponsorship program soon.
Reporting assistance and photos provided by our agency staff in Quezon City, Philippines.
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