Non Standard Issue: 8, 91 and 55

Kevin is just eight years old but he is already showing the promise of a great storyteller. He makes you laugh while he dishes out the latest kilig scenes from Be Careful with My Heart and whips you back to your childhood with a recap of the antics of Phineas and Ferb.

Lolo Mariano is already 91 years old and remains to be strong and alert. Unless he tells you, you would not know that half of his body is paralyzed. The slur caused by the stroke is also barely noticeable, and he can even belt out a haunting rendition of his favorite song Granada.

Far apart in age, with the first bursting with dreams and the second full of memories, Kevin and Lolo Mariano have something in common - they could have been among the many children and old people we see aimlessly wandering the streets.

But, we still have angels among us, and the two are now under the hands of people who love and care for them just like a real family would.

On a sunny April morning in a beautiful place in Rizal, I am witness to the meeting of their two abandoned but not forsaken worlds.

Kevin is a beneficiary of the Tahanan ng Pagmamahal, a foundation which provides shelter, education and care to orphaned and neglected children. Lolo Mariano, on the other hand, lives in Anawim, a home for the abandoned elderly.

Although both ministries are under the care of the Light of Jesus Family, a Catholic religious community, their residents have not been officially introduced.

Upon learning that Tahanan organizers need more volunteers for a planned meet-and-greet activity, I immediately signed up. I actually do not have a clue of what is going to happen; just that I will be able to visit Anawim, which I have been dreaming to see after reading about it.

A few text messages are exchanged and I am informed that each of the volunteers will be paired to a child from Tahanan. I am immensely relieved to read “...the kids are already practicing their presentation...” because there is no mention of the volunteers having to sing or dance or whatever. I am sincerely not that entertaining enough. :)

On our trip from Mandaluyong to Rizal, I am introduced to Alianor (my pair) and the rest of the gang. The kids are enthusiastic alright with Kevin leading the mayhem.

While listening to the laughter and the singing, it struck me that from the outside, the trip looks like an ordinary school outing. But, for these kids, there are no papa and mama to welcome them when they get home.

After passing a buzzing, noisy market, I am amazed at how peaceful and tranquil Anawim is.

The sun is already peeking from the clouds, but the tall trees which dotted the landscape shield most of the heat. Minus the beach and the lapping waves, the place looks like a beach resort complete with various country-style homes. As far as the eyes can see, a sprawling field surrounds the mini-paradise.

Upon arrival, we are greeted by a sea of gray hairs. It is touching that even though many of them can barely walk without wheelchairs, many lolo and lola still came out of their houses to welcome us. Some of them can no longer talk, but their eyes communicate their joy.

Tahanan is well-prepared and Anawim proves that it has no shortage of talents too. We cheer as Lola Charing enchants us with her Spanish songs, Lolo Pete shows off his dance moves, Lolo Mariano croons a classic piece, and the others showcase what they have.

Most touching of all is how the two groups interact. While the kids are singing, some of the lolas started to cry. The young ones will then hug and comfort them.

Smiles, stories, laughter, and tears are shared by children who early on had rarely felt their parent’s love and by old people who yearn for the presence of their families in the twilight of their lives.

It is a bitter sweet moment, a proof that how old or young we are, we all need love. Mother Theresa captured it perfectly when she said “The hunger for love is much more difficult to remove than the hunger for food.”

Little Ways

Life may still not perfect for Tahanan kids and Anawim’s elderly. The kids still have a challenging yet hopefully fulfilling life ahead of them. One issue they will have to deal with perhaps is healing the painful memories of their childhood. For the elderly, their burden may be in making peace with the unresolved areas of their past.

Still, they are lucky to have found a second home which provides for them the care, love, and spiritual nourishment they need. A stepping stone for the young and a refuge for the old.

Every time I encounter a homeless child or an old person in the street, I feel the challenge that we could do much more, if only we can take a moment to pluck ourselves from our daily cares. Or perhaps imagine our situation if we are in their shoes.

“I often ask why somebody did not do something, until I realized that I am somebody.”

We should not wait for the government or other powerful institutions to fix everything for us. It is the collective effort of individuals who are willing to step out that will push forward our country’s progress, and along the way, make sure that no one gets left behind.

That little step to becoming more aware could begin with the simple act of approaching a homeless person in the street and talking with him/her. If you want to give, then bring food rather than cash. But, perhaps even more important than food is the care you have shown in talking with these people. Many of them are just as hungry for conversation and human companionship as well as for sustenance.

Afraid of being hurt? Don’t know where to start? Or worried that other people will sneak glances at you for being that crazy person who talks to that dirty child on the street?

I too have those fears and doubts. I am an introvert at heart and so it is quite hard for me to step out of my comfort zone. May I also note that I came from the province where the lifestyle is more relaxed and the people are friendlier (and the weather cooler) so Manila is a huge shocker for me.

I steeled my nerves and started with the most harmless-looking street person I saw in my first sojourn into the streets.

I found the courage to chat with a homeless old woman I saw sleeping beside a bank. Beginner’s luck? Maybe, but 55-year-old Lola Rosalie was one of the most harmless old person I had ever met; she was shy even. Passersby stared at me and I definitely need more practice to endure the scrutiny, but I felt very blessed to at be able to share my time with her and listen to her story.

After learning of her plight, I sent an email to the Anawim administrators. I am hoping they will accept her, even though they are currently focused on the CALABARZON region.

If you are as crazy enough as me, then I urge you to take that challenge too. It can be awkward and uncomfortable at first, but if you think about it, that is only a small thing compared to what these people are going through.

We have houses and we have food. For them, their bed is the sidewalk and nourishment comes from a piece of bread scavenged in the trash can.

We fuss on clothing ourselves with the latest style trends. For them, “streetwear” is tattered rugs and a change of clothes is a luxury.

We have petty quarrels with our parents or siblings. For many of them, their navel is the only proof that once they were once connected to something as simple yet as unattainable as a family.

Yet, what it only takes is a little effort from us to change the tide – to be able to help those who really need it while at the same time put back meaning into our lives.

P.S. For more information about the Tahanan ng Pagmamahal, Anawim and other Light of Jesus Family ministries, you can visit www.lightfam.com. Monetary donations are very much welcome, but I also encourage you to share one of the most valuable resources you can give – your time with these ministries. With our pooled efforts, we can kindle more sparks of hope and love for the Kevins, Lolo Marianos, and Lola Rosalies of this world.