Rich Kid, Poor Kid

Sitting at one of the crowded benches of Divisoria last night made me witness to this sad picture. One kid is sitting on Bonifacios' circle, properly dressed,and he even had matching colors for his apparel and footwear. While another was lying on the ground, oblivious of his surroundings.
I watched the kid on the ground for a long time, waiting for him to come around from his late nap. He was probably tired from loitering the whole day ( but in his case, he might probably be for the rest of his life). Rich kid and poor kid instantly came to mind. It was so sad really to see two kids, almost of the same age to lead two VERY different lives. I am so thankful to have parents who never gave up on me. I am thankful that I have not been deprived of my childhood. I could never imagine myself to be young and become frustrated all at the same time for having to experience the hardships in life. Who knows how often this kid gets to eat in a day? Or does he even get a decent meal at all? Although he still has a family to call his own, but they can never be that family that you can actually define as one. Sometimes I wonder what could become of these children. Sure, there are still a few success stories that was borne out of poverty such as this but statistics are not that high. Do you still remember the SONA given a few years back about the infamous "bangkang papel" ? If all these children "launched a thousand bangkang papel" would they be able to lead different lives?

I remember rendering hours of work for social welfare way back in my senior year in college as part of my requirement for graduation. I chose the Home For Girls where they house minors who were abandoned and most were sexually harassed and abused by older men who were either a relative or someone they trusted. I could not help but admire those girls because they were still able to have a happy disposition after their cruel experiences. But I also observed how things are being run in our government offices. I kept telling the girls to take a bath everyday so that they can avoid whatever virus they might share from over-crowding the facility but they still smell and look like they have not taken a bath for days, even after I saw them took it. Well, the supplies and donations (bath soaps,shampoos, laundry soaps and donated clothes among others) for the facility did not reach our unfortunate children. They tell me that they see truck loads of supplies being delivered but to their surprise, they don't find them inside the facility. Hmm, where could it be?

If we still believe that the youth is the future of our nation, then we might as well invest in them.
Start them young as they say, but I think we're starting them young with the most cruel and corrupt way possible.