The DVD Boy....

Last night, I was out with my friend Pey for a dinner for us to be together before I fly to Japan. So, we went to Northwalk in intersection in the City of San Fernando Pampanga. After our dinner, we decided to have coffee to continue our bonding moment.

Pey bought coffee and we sat in one of the seats around Northwalk and took our pictures. After a while, we want to have our pictures taken...the two of us. We saw a boy approaching... selling DVDs, so we asked him to take our picture. After taking our picture, he asked us to buy DVDs. I was not focused on the DVDs he was selling... instead, I started asking him some questions.

I first ask how old is he, and he said he is eight (8) years old. The next question was if he is still in school, and he answered that he is in Grade 2. I became interested about the boy, so I continued asking him questions. I found out that his parents are in prison cell and that he stays with his uncle. I also came to know that he has 9 siblings and that he is not staying with them at the moment. He stays with his grandparents.

In our conversation, I found out that he walks his way to work sometimes.  He goes to school from 12:00 noon to 5:00 PM. After hiss class, he would sell DVDs. He said that sometimes nobody buys DVDs and this makes him miss his classes because he has no money for his fare.

As I listen to his story, I can't help but have compassion for him...I was really touched. I can't imagine at his age, he is already working hard to support his studies. I really do not know what to feel. I asked further how is he treated by his uncle and he said that his uncle and aunt are kind. I told him to buy the materials he needed for his project with the money I gave him and that he has to go home early...anyway he has already money for his school needs. He said yes, he will go home at 12:00 midnight. Usually, if nobody buys he would stay until the morning... selling.

I have witnessed how the child defies poverty through his effort and perseverance, with his hard, diligent, persistent and strategic struggle.  As I put myself to rest,  I can still remember vividly his face, and so I offered a  prayer for him... that someday I his dreams will come true. Truly, defying poverty is a struggle...how many of these kids do we have around? What can we do then so we can help? hmmm...the call is there...All we need is to ANSWER the CALL!



                NOVEMBER 21, 2012.....MY SECOND ENCOUNTER WITH THE DVD BOY...

My friend, Sis Airene asked me for a cup of coffee at Northwalk, and to my surprise I saw this young boy again for the second time.  I never thought that I would see him again in the same place at almost the same time when I met him before I went to Japan last February of 211 and I was surprised to see him after almost 2 years.

Hmmm....as I look at him, I had rambling thoughts...I was thinking about how is he now, and so I asked him  if he is still in school, and he said, "yes." I said, "that is good." The next thing I did was to make him recall the first time we saw each other...I told him that I already met him before and asked if he can still remember me.  He said, yes.

As I asked him some questions, I noticed that he was not wearing his slippers, and so I asked if he has one.  He said that his slippers are just there...pointing to a corner.  I asked him why he is in his bare feet...and he said, his slippers are too big, and so he doesn't want to wear these.  I told him that he has to wear them because it is raining and because the cement is cold.  So he hurriedly went to the corner where he left his slippers and wear them.

He went back to me after that.  I told him that he has to go home because it is already late...and he said he will, as soon as somebody will buy his DVD's.  He said that he needs money for his school needs and so the need for him to sell the DVD's.

I was touched and realized my social responsibility to this young child and so I shared my blessings.   As I look at him, I told him to go home and have a rest.

As I write tonight...I have realized that the young boy is really determined to continue his studies.  I saw his persistence and his determination.  As I try to think about his situation, I came to think about my concern. After a few moments,  I have realized that this young boy has just affirmed my decision, my decision to  have my focus on my work and my mission. With my encounter with him tonight, I know that God's message to me is clear...that my choice and decision is right. I thank the kid for showing up to me because my thoughts were affirmed.

With this encounter and experience with the young boy, once again I felt God's presence in my work and in my mission.  I am grateful indeed for the encounter, and I thank God for the opportunity to do an act of kindness, to express compassion to him and for the affirmation of my decision.  Truly, God works in mysterious ways.  We just have to believe and recognize His presence in everything we do,  that He is always there WITH us and FOR us.  As I end the night, my heart says; THANK you LORD for the wonderful encounter and for the awesome DAY!