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Last week I was running some errands with my niece Glenda and my son Chris. We were gone for quite awhile. When the place we went to didn’t have the stuff we wanted we then head home.
Irish and Arnie
As soon as we opened the gate I could see my kids and my other niece and our helpers were so busy talking. I can’t see what they were doing and busy about, so after opening the gate we went to the area where all of them were standing.
As soon as Jared and Jean saw me they immediately told me “Oh mom, here’s 2 young kids that are so hungry and no food in their house. We gave them something to eat and drink”.
I was shocked that two little ones were walking on the streets without parents supervision or somebody. I then asked the older girl how old are they? She told me her name is Arnie and that she’s 9 years old (which looking at her size, she looks like a 5 year old girl to me). She continued on saying that her younger sister, her name is Irish and she’s 6 years old (which looks like 3 years old).
The older one is not too shy but more reserved. The younger one, she’s more giggly and friendly and not shy with the camera. They were going around our neighborhood to get some empty Coke bottles and other stuff that they can make money with. So my kids and niece told them that we they will be gathering our empty bottles and other stuff that we are not using to give it to them. They were ecstatic and so thankful.
The older girl Arnie came by again at our house yesterday to pick up the empty bottles. So I got a chance to talk to her. I asked her where is her mom? She answered that her mom was out doing laundry with other people and was paid (not enough really to support the family). Her dad she said was just at the house watching the house. It really puzzled me that the dad just stays home and not looking for a job for him to feed his family. I was just quiet and really feeling sorry for the kids. I asked her if she goes to school and did she already had some school supplies? She said yes, she’s going to school but they did not buy their school supplies yet. I asked her if she is saving the money that she will be making from the bottles for her school stuff? She said no, we are giving the money from the sale of the empty bottles to our mom to buy rice.
Gosh, my heart just goes out to these girls. What can I say. My kids are gathering the extra school supplies that they have from last year and we have extra too when we went shopping a few days ago. Nicole had some stuff that she’s not using and fits perfect for Arnie. So at least they have some stuff.
Our yard guy brought some bananas for us. He brought a lot. So we gave some to Arnie for her and family to have for snacks. She had bottles and some other stuff on the bags that she’s carrying. We let her eat something first before sending her home. I even offered to pay for her fare but she declined. She said she will just walk home. We were really watching her, and I could tell my kids really like Arnie. I was telling Arnie to really try to study hard and work hard because that’s the only thing she will have to improve her life. I know lots of kids that live the same life as Arnie and Irish have live.
Really knowing the two kids now, I’m hoping that someday they will have a better life. Praying for them for that.
Thank God for the Martin family and for those who look out for the little ones! I pray that one day I will be blessed to assist many! You have done a great job of raising your kids and not be “me, my and mine” selfish kids of the U.S.
Keep up the great work!
Ed
Hi Ed Griffin – Thank you for the nice comment. It would be hard to turn away your head with these cute and hard working kids. They are also behave kids.
I am so proud of my kids. They really are kindhearted kids. I’m so glad they know how to value what they have in life.
Good to see you here again. Have a great day!
Great story, it brought tears to the wife’s eyes as we were reading it. She says that she has seen this to many times in CDO. Thank God for the Martin family!
HI CJ Cook – Thank you. I know the feelings of your wife. I did cry a lot before too. It’s hard seeing young kids that struggles in life. Problem is, they are all over the Philippines. Hopefully life will get better with these kids someday.
Thank you so much for stopping by! Have a good day!
First off God bless you,you have a heart of gold,i also do and cant help to give the kids something to eat or a few peso’s.I wish i could help them all.I to have to buy school supplies and shoes ,and of course some for a poor family girl to..Keep up the good work.
Hi maynard – Thank you so much for the nice compliment. It really is a good feeling to helped out even just a little. Gosh, if you just see the requirements of our kids for school, it’s really a long list. But my kids were also willing to give a little to Irish & Arnie. I’m so proud of my kids for doing a little bit of sacrifice for the new friend they have.
Always good to see you maynard. Have a great day!
Unfortunately, there are so many children like this in the Philippines and across Southeast Asia. It’s impossible to help all of them, but if we took the time to help out like you did, Feyma, we can make a difference. Well done!
Hi Mark – Sadly but true. Yep can’t help them all, but like you said if we can make a difference especially to a kids lives, that would be something then.
Thank you for stopping here and the good comment!
Bob
Great story, sad thing it is not a story but the real deal.
So I am wondering on how hard of a hurdle was it to get over when you move there and see so many poor unfortunate Kids and only being able to help so few.
Maybe you have to get in the mindset of knowing that you helped some and without your help they would have never been helped at all.
Ha ha… just to clarify, the article is from Feyma, not me.
🙂
Hi Neal – Thank you! I’m not going to lie, it was really hard at first. I think that was one of the reason that it was hard for me to moved back here. Seeing lots of people living below the poverty line made me depress, but on the other hand thinking too that me and my family can help out a little bit is making me feeling better a bit too. I’m just happy that a lot of our LIP family tried to give out from their pockets during holiday season to give to the poor people here. Really… Read more »
What a good hearted Bob & Feyma’s family. My heart goes out for those kids. 🙁
Thank you so much Emy and Will.
Have a good weekend ahead!
Thank you for the nice article! I was very happy to read this. Your children’s behavior reflect their good upbringing. Good job, Bob and Feyma! We should all be as kind!
Hi David Heil – Thank you so much for the nice and good comment. I will agree to what you said about my kids. Ha ha ha… Sorry, I’m going to be the most conceited parent right now. lol… Kidding aside, I am really happy and proud of the way my children care for other human beings, may it be rich or poor. Everyone deserves to be respected. That’s what we always tells them.
I really appreciate what you said. Thank you.
Have a great day!
Hi, this is Cheryl’s fiance. Gosh! I am so happy you could help out a bit, but feel so bad for those little girls. Hopefully their life will get better. In my travels to the Philippines I have seen this so often and each and EVERY time it chokes me up. My filipina fiance lived like that…never knowing if she was going to be able to eat or not when she was younger. There are so many like that. And to think I spend more a day on mochas than most of these people make and all I do is… Read more »
Hi there to Cheryl’s fiance – I can understand how you felt right now. Remembering what you girl been through before meeting you. I’m sure it would be hard on Cheryl hearing and seeing the struggles of the kids that I posted.
I’m glad that Cheryl got away with the hard life she had endured during her younger years.
Thank you so much for the nice comment about my kids. I greatly appreciate that.
Cheers!
hi mate will u just know how to make a old man cry dont u it gos to my heart to see kids like this with no hope in life at tall it is so sad but we can do a lot if we was to start in a little way and help kids like this i am trying to start some thing here in tassie to help the street kids all i need is some one to back me and away i willl go as i hate this as it make me down too look on little one with… Read more »
Dear Feyma,
As I wipe the tears from my eyes, I have to say God bless you and your family. Just looking at the little girl’s eyes tells a lot of their struggles. The kindness shared by your kids shows how blessed you really are. Cheers!