Saturday, December 13, 2008

Celebrate a Childlike Christmas


Street children usually work 6 to 16 hours just to help their families earn a decent living. A lot of these kids are exposed at an early age to the pressures of life early which also includes neglect at home, bullying from bigger kids and other psychological stresses. These street kids are very happy that a visionary by the name of Teresita Silva came into the picture and created Childhope Asia Philippines, a foundation that aims to provide alternative education opportunities to street children.


The STI Foundation for its part partnered with Childhope asia to celebrate a child like christmas to the street children of the said foundation. A lot of these kids are pressured to earn rightaway that is why they don't even understand how to enjoy once in a while and become kids in the true sense.


The STI foundation set up a day with which its team brought the kids to Jollibee for a merienda, gave gifts to the kids so that they can experience toys that kids their age play and more importantly gave them the opportunity to enjoy by having the rides of their lives in Star City. I asked them who among them have gone to Star City, a lot of hands were shown but after clarification Ms. SIlva said they have gone to Star City but not INSIDE star city to experience the rides.

STI College Recto students were at hand to assist these young kids and they served as their instant "Kuya's", "Ate's" and chaperone since lots of schools also booked their excursions in the said venue.

It was truly a humbling experience meeeting with the kids and having fun with them. We hope we have brought light to these kids that not all people are the same and that some have generosity also in them. I hope that these kids will seriously come out as morally upright people and educated so that they may also become succesful in their chosen endeavors. I am happy to spend time with them and hope they celebrated a true childlike christmas for a change.

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