One child at a time

I've long wanted to do something for the children. As a resident of the city and a mother to a 4-year old boy, the difference between my own child and those children I see out on the streets are depressingly stark. But even before my own child was born, I have always had a soft spot for the poor children I see on the streets of Manila. I always say to myself, there must be something we can do aside from feel bad or even weep. This is not to judge, but I honestly do not understand how people can bear to see these kids and just turn a blind eye. How well-off parents can only look after the welfare of their own children, but not care about other people's children. We all know it's not right. We are one, aren't we? And we all know we can't wait for the government to reach out to every single child who needs help. As a sane human being, it makes perfect sense to want to help and do our part. It's simply not right to just watch. Especially if you have the means to help.

I don't have any idea where to start, or how to do it, or what to do. I don't have money to give away. But I realize that if I allow my ignorance and financial limitations to stop me, I will end up not doing anything. So blindly but with huge faith, I'm embarking on a small project to help send a few underprivileged students to school this year. It doesn't matter if I make P500 or P5million, or if I get a pair of shoes or trucks of donations. As my son told me this morning as I explained this project to him, "Eh di tayo na lang magbigay sa kanila, mama." The important thing is to make sure everything gets to the children, or the child. If we are able to help one child, we would have made a difference in the life of one child. And that is a lot better than not making any difference at all.

I talked to a friend, Dino Narciso, whom I know has always been willing to help children. He expressed his enthusiasm for the project. He might be bringing two other friends to help, too. I also met with Arlene, an old friend and now the director of Akap-Bata (a non-government organization serving children's communities) and we decided to work together on this particular endeavor. I also asked my PR-savvy friend Betty Regala to send her ideas on how to get donations. My husband, Jes Aznar, is lending his pictures and helping me layout stuff. Natalie Goldberg (yes, that Natalie) also helped a great deal. A line from her book Long Quiet Highway inspires me everyday: You don't wait for someone to join you. If you want to do something, you just go ahead and do it. Even if it means doing it alone.

I'm not doing it alone, after all. And hopefully, as this campaign gets rolling, more people will help by joining, donating, spreading the word, or by simply thinking good thoughts about us and our projects, and especially about the poor children who need our help.

So many children need help. There is so much to be done. Please help and let us do it one child at a time.