Why are they out in the streets?

Posted on May 24, 2006 - Filed Under , |

Just curious now: What's the first thought that comes to you when you see street urchins or encounter one of them extending his palm out to you for some Samaritan assistance? 

My first thought is where in heaven's name are the parents of this kid? The second is: Can't government — which definitely sees these kids roaming in all places of the city and with all its resources spent for a myriad of pa-pogi programs–ever really do something substantial to help at least a good percentage of the streetchildren?

To date, government-types confine themselves to giving the poor ones fish but hardly teach them how to fish, the true essence of livelihood in this planet. One day, the public agencies gather the kids, often during a special occasion, and launch a feeding session with much fawning attention and flashbulbs a-clickin'; the next days the urchins are pretty much left to fend for themselves. 

It seems this clear and present social problem about streetchildren is a burden cavalierly left by our public officials to non-government organizations or volunteer groups to handle, like the latter are the unofficially designated foster parents of the roaming ones.When foreign visitors or experts come a-visitin', so much glowing accomplishments in the field of juvenile social care is paraded and trumpeted by local governments when in fact, all they ever help the urchins with is plain and simple lip service. As the Ilocanos would say, "puro ngiwat laeng, apo!" (All blabber, sir!)

Even the few semi-government institutions or high society groups that profess care for children and build homes or centers for the wayward or homeless youngsters have not seemingly thoroughly studied the exact amenities for just such halfway homes or rehab centers. I mean it's not exactly ONLY a sleeping quarters-dining room type of accomodation these wandering kids need — and want –  but something to fight boredom in a confined area with. 

A designated and properly supervised play area or activity  center is a must for such restless kids, if center managers are to keep them there and not straying away or escaping after just a few days' stay in the rehab center. A Big Brother or Father Figure right in the center itself who can physically and personally soothe every piece of doubt, every sliver of uneasiness, every pang of anxiety in the young ward should also come with the juvenile assistance. 

Leaving the troubled youngster to untrained helpers who bawl and berate kids at the slightest offense definitely makes confined kids want to just fly off back to the streets. 

More posts on this subject next time. Please send in your thoughts

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