Right after moving back here from the States we were living in General Santos for 2 years. We like living there, it’s just that there is not much for the kids to do there. One day Bob and I went to Dunkin Donuts there to have snacks. After getting out of our car we saw a cute little girl asking for money. We felt sorry for the girl and Bob immediately dug in his pocket and gave the little girl some change, to our surprise she immediately handed the money to the guy standing a few feet away from her. The girl just didn’t realize we saw what she did handing the money to the guy. While eating inside Bob and I just watching that kid and she was talking to that guy. On our way to the car I asked the little girl why she gave the money to that guy, that money should be for her. She denied giving it to him, maybe she just got scared that I questioned her. I should not have done that, but it just bugs me that the guy just takes the money away from those kids. Honestly, I don’t know if that guy was the head of the syndicate in GenSan. I am not sure if that would be like an organization there. Now we decided that we would never give money to this kids anymore, instead we will give them food to eat.
Every time we saw that girl at Dunkin we would always order extra food her too. Sometimes after dinner we can see that we have some extra food at the house we would drive then to Dunkin to see if that girl was there, usually she’s there even late at night and we gave her the food and gave her drinks too. One time Bob wanted me to ask her why she’s not in school she told me that her mom and dad just don’t have the money to send her and her siblings to school. Gosh, hearing that it broke our heart. Lots of time she’s the topic in our conversation in our house. I wished we could do more for this kid than just giving her food.
About 4 years ago we started giving food to the poor kids and some families here in Davao during Christmas or even sometimes when we go out for a ride. On our first year we ordered a hundred burgers at McDonald’s. What we did we put that in a plastic bag with it included juice, cookies, candies and a small toys. It was really fun giving out to the homeless kids they really had the big smile and a big thank you from them. Our second year and present we are giving away for the kids cookies, candies, toys, juice, chips and we also gave to their parents like 2 kilos of rice, sardines, soy sauce, vinegar, coffee, noodles, cooking oil, salt, and others. Our kids really had fun giving to the poor families. One lady told us we really are angels sent by God, because they had no food to eat that day. Bob and I got teary eyed after she said. It’s hard to see this people have no food and they had kids there in the house.
I have to add a little regarding my experince on begger kids.
We all expect the controlled beggers working in gangs in Manila and some other places and although persistant they are part of life.
However I was in China town area of Davao last week and the young kids were in a gang aged 10-14 yo all were persisatant, but when i was not giving the mood changed to foul language and 4-5 surrounded me and tried to pull my hands from my pockets to get my wallets and phone!!
Although it was being seen by everyone no one intervened, lucky for me im a big guy and would not reove my hands, and was eventualy saved by a taxi driver who warned them off.
I write this as i never exerinced this sort of bad begging to this degree.
Hi Feym,
How are you? I'm like you, I'd rather give food than money. At least I know they won't use it for drugs or give it up to a syndicate.
Hi John,
Chinatown? Did you mean Uyanguren near Magsaysay Park? Those teens must be into drugs. It's unfortunate but, if it happens again, I would advise you to report it to the police to, hopefully, put a stop to that nonsense. Duterte is a tough mayor and will straighten them out for sure if he hears about incidents like this.
John when something like that happens it's got to be the fight or flight syndrome. Personally taking on 4-5 people at once is asking for an ass kicking but I have been in fights like that before in the US… it helps to know self defense and how to take a person down fast so they won't get back up again. Ususally if they see you want to fight they will leave in my experience, they want a soft target. I also carry a knife around town, just cuz it's safer here doesn't mean it's totally safe.
Hi John and Louis – I'd be pretty careful in taking these kids on to a fight. Especially the younger ones. John, you said they ranged in age starting at 10. I feel pretty strongly that if you were to hit a 10 year old kid, even if he was berating you for money, you would run a serious risk of getting into trouble with the law. I've seen the inside of Philippine jails (I wasn't incarcerated!) and I wouldn't want to be there. Even if it is not your fault, if you are a foreigner and hit one of those kids, you are asking for trouble. There are two things that you may experience – you may be accused of assault on the kid. Or, worse yet, you may be accused of being a pedophile. These kids know the game, and they know how to get you in trouble. In my opinion, it would be better to turn around and go back into the building that you just exited, or get out of the area as quickly as you can without touching one of those kids.
Just my 2 pesos worth. That's probably about the value too! 😉
I'm the same way with the beggars, even in the US. I've come out of pizza shops with an extra slice at lunchtime, or just given little things like the last half of a cold drink on a hot day. Unfortunately, I've had people TURN DOWN the food! Some will only take money, and that gives me a weird feeling.
When I was in Manila though, those little kids just broke my heart. On the entrance to the LRT stations, you'd see 3 kids and a skinny little baby asleep on the sidewalk. It made me shudder when someone told me that working moms have to be careful who they hire as a nanny since some will rent the babies to the syndicate to get more sympathy. I decided my best bet was to buy up those premixed Milo drinks and hand them out, but here in Los Banos I haven't seen a beggar yet.
Hi John- Sorry to hear about the incident. Like what Tina said next time just report them to the police.
Hi Tina- Nice to hear from you. I'm fine. That's the reason we won't give money they might end up buying drugs with it.
Hello to Ken from us.
Hi Louis- I don't think it would be good to fight with those kids. At the end you would be the one in trouble with the law. I will just tell people to just go away when it happen and just report them to the police. For me I don't think it's a good idea to be bringing knife around here when you go somewhere,
Hi Bob- I agree of what you said.
Hi Elisa- I saw those tricks in Manila too before. They would really use infants to get money. It's so sad but that's the way they play it there. I hate it.
It's inspiring to hear people like you who have concerned for the poor and children. It also breaks my heart to see those kids swim for coins thrown out at sea by boat passengers. I hope people stop this. Heard of companies "employ" kids to do the job of adults ? I might be off topic but it's apparent that our leaders in govt are more focused on infrastructures and less or never towards children's education, health and safety. Your post is really touching.
Hi Jul – I don't get concerned about the kids diving for coins. Those are usually Badjao kids, and that is part of their culture. I don't even really consider it as begging. They are kind of putting on a show for the money they receive. Just my thoughts, though.
That's what I also think before that these are Badjao kids. However, lately, I noticed that some are not. Yes, I agree, these kids are not begging. They're more of showing off their diving skills, which to me is very fascinating. I might just be overly concerned especially when it's school days and they're supposedly in school. Seeing the murky water, pollutants and ferry boats/ships nearby —so scary!
Hi Jul- Thank you for the nice comment. We do try to help some of them. It's hard seeing them struggle just to have food. The problem is how could they get ahead in life? They can't even afford to buy food, how much more to go to school. Hard life.
Hello Louis. Its against the law to be carrying a knife or a bladed weapon when you dont use it in your trade or work. YOu dont need that kind of trouble from the authorities. This is just a friendly advice.
H! Feyma. MY friends and I also try to help kids once or twice a year with whatever we can share. We usually do this during christmas and before school opens. What's sad about helping these kids is knowing that what we share with tghem doesnt go a long way and will benefit them for a hort period. Well, to console ourselves we say that at least we shared what we can.
By reading your blogs I know that you and your nusband are good people and would want to help people the right way whenever you can. Id like to make suggestions on your gift giving for christmas- if you have more to spare you can give them slippers and at least one shirt as most of these kids have never owned a new shirt.
Sometimes, i think, our country encourages begging. This ahas become a business not really for syndicates but for families. Many poor filipinos become mendicands every christmas and youd be surprise at how much one earns from begging. I remember one time in the news where a beggar was killed in a vehicular accident, the money recovered from his bag was Php14,000.00 (in coins). Many beg here not because they have nothing but because it has become their profession. Adults who beg encourage their children to do the same as there is money in begging. This is sad but it is a fact here in the Philippines. Thats why it is never wise to give money. Always give in kind to these kids or to any other beggar- though I dont give anything to beggars bigger and healthier than me.
Backpacks or school bags and umbrellas, beside slippers, are good items also. Some of my friends in CDO are doing feedings for those children as part of their ministry. I know them because they're long time friends of mine. One couple does it in their neighborhood on weekends (for whatever available funds they have from generous givers) only because both are working.
Yes that right Jul, these kids needs to have the basic things. What is good also is to have medical and dental missions. Its easier to organize and theyre are many volunteers for that. Youd be surprised how helpful people are. Suggestion for dental mission, the military dental doctors( usually go on dental missions so you could always call on them and theyre very very helpful.
Hi Sophia- That's a good suggestions. I will remember that next time we hand out. Wow, I never thought of this people can just beg there for a living. I never thought they go that far.
Some doctors here really offer their time for the mission too. I applaude them. I know of some doctors that do that kind of thing. Thanks
Hi Jul- That's really good stuff to give for kids when school starts. I will think of it next time when we give away. Thanks.
It seems to me that beggars are more rampant in the cities than in small towns. And if someone is begging in a small town, they have to be strangers. People in small towns tend to know each other and help one another. Someone who claims they've got nothing to eat is offered some malungay leaves, tanglad (lemon grass), coconuts, bananas and root crops like camote or gabi. Their diet may be simple but they'll never starve. If they need money, they get offered to work in the farm. If they need shelter, they get to sleep in the barn. So it's difficult for me to understand why beggars continue to live in cities when there's definitely a better life out in the countryside. People living/working in the farm are self-sufficient and they even barter eggs, chickens, fruits and vegetables for clothes, salt or sugar, etc.
Hi Sophia – I accompanied the US Special Forces, along with the AFP on a Medical Mission to Marawi last year, in June 2006. It was really a great event, with thousands of Muslim Kids being given free medical care by the U.S. and Filipino Doctors. I was really honored to be invited along on the mission!
Hi Marilou – Hey, imagine seeing YOU here! I didn't know that you visited this blog! Welcome!
Hi Bob – I do follow the LiP Blog often, although I tend to contribute to Feyma's blog whenever I can. I like to support Feyma in offering a woman's perspective.
Hi Marilou – No problem on that! I'm glad that you are visiting here too!
:grin:hI,
this is a nice site… Im a student and is looking for related literatures for our thesis about beggars and street children… its good to read real stories and real lives of real people.hope to read some more articles and statistics about beggars…. and street children.. thnks…
Hi Jill – Thanks for visiting the blog. Keep watching, we talk about street kids and beggars from time to time. I'm sure the topic will come up again!
Hi Marilou- Thank you so much for visiting on one of our blog. I like it also that your helping me explained our lives living abroad.
Looking forward to seeing you again. Take care.
Hi Jil- Thank you very much on reading our blog. Don't worry I'm sure that street children topic will come up here sometime.
Keep looking
That was a touching blog, Feyma. Then again, I have been touched by the mere mention of the Philippines for many years. From disasters to the poor kids, there has to be a ministry for me there. Planning on moving there in two years. In the meantime, I'll continue to care for my terminal ill mom.
Hi Ed Griffin – Thank you for your comment. Thats nice of you to stay there and take care of your sickly mom. Bless your heart.
Good luck on your move here in the Philippines. Take care and God bless!