Children of the Night

I wanted to go out tonight.

I wanted to go with the mothers, the brother and Kuya (older brother) Joe Dean.  Tonight is the night they are looking for Shara.  Shara is only 13 but she has been roaming the city on her own for a week and 3 days now. 

This morning we drove around Quezon City in search of her.  We were like a tag game.  At first we were 2 moms, 1 friend + I.  Then when we went to Shara's school, her baby brother came along so we became 5.  Then we went to see Marjorie, a friend of hers, she came along too, so we became 6 in all. 

At the school, 3 girl students seemed to have seen her.  One said she saw her going to her friend Marjorie's house in tears.  One said she was at McDo Muñoz with a spaced out expression on her face.  She said Shara's clothes were already dirty.  That made her mom cry.

Some learnings:

Runaway children sleep during the day and roam around only at night.  So you can only spot them at night.  There are places in the city where the children hang out.  In lonely alleys.  Scores of them.

Runaway children usually go to their friends or teachers.  This was Shara's 3rd runaway incident.  Previously, she used to stay with her teachers.

Runaway children have family problems.  In this case there was an issue with the dishwashing.  Even petty disagreements can lead to this type of disaster.

I wish I were there, talking to people, asking about her.  I haven't been sleeping well, thinking about her. 

Shara has only attended our tutoring session a few times but I couldn't forget her even when years would pass in between the times I'd see her.  She is bright, kind and respectful.  She is a participative and cheerful child. 

I really hope they find her tonight.  I'm praying hard.

If you see her, please contact me at 63919-2234936  

It's time to do some good

Greetings Volunteer!

It's been a while since we've seen the children.  We've had a long break.

But now it's time to do some good!  We'll be back at the barangay so

we will have some books to aid us with the children.

If you have some time, go on over to http://www.ezschool.com/ and

print out some worksheets.  Just pick the grade level that you've either

tutored before or are comfortable with.  This way, you'll have some exercises

for them even if they don't have anything particular in mind to be tutored with.

This Saturday we will have the chance to touch the life of someone in need

once again.  With 50+ children in 1 class, it is a rare thing for them to have

one to one attention.  Their homes lack space and light so it's quite difficult to study

in such an environment.  Their parents are away working hard to make a living.

The streets are more inviting to play in.Just 2 hours to encourage them that learning can be enjoyable (or that it is possible to understand) is more than enough. Seeing people who care is enough.

Please join us on:

Nov. 17, 2012 (Saturday)

1 pm

3rd floor, Brgy. Bungad

*near Baler St. and West Ave. QC

If you cannot be there but want to help, we need:

+ scratch paper

+ lesson plans / activity sheets (grades 1 to 2nd yr high)

This Saturday is coming and we hope that:

1. We will have enough tutors for the 28 children enrolled in the program.

2. That that children will be able to learn and excel in school.

3. That the tutors will enjoy their session with the children and take home wonderful memories.

Here are the latest schedules for future sessions.

November 17

December 2 *Sunday Christmas Party

This Saturday:

We are calling for more volunteers!  Everyone is invited. 

You don't have to be a tutor.  You just need to have a

heart of compassion for these young ones.

What will we teach?  Primarily English and Math.  If you

are able to teach other subjects that is great but we don't

require professional tutors.  What we need are people

who are encouraging and positive for the children to

emulate.

How?  Come and the children will ask you about their

homework or you can tell them a story or do some simple

arithmetic with them. 

Please consider coming.  When we lack tutors, we cannot give

the attention they badly need since we have to tutor 2 or 3 or

4 students at a time.  We aim to have one child to one tutor.

If you have more questions please feel free to reply to me.

Please confirm if you are coming so we can assign you a child

to Shannon at shannon_capati@yahoo.com.

Blessings!

Christina Alejandro

Volunteer Coordinator

P.S.  If you cannot come this Saturday, please come next time!

*Please feel free to pass this e-mail invite to anyone who may be interested to join us!