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“SAMPAGUITA, mineral water, diyaryo, sigarilyo kayo
diyan.” These are words that one will hear from
children while they peddle their wares on the dangerous
streets of Metro Manila. It is sad that these young kids
are either orphans or come from very poor families.
Sadder even still is the fact that many of them resort
to begging for money in order to survive.
In order
to generate awareness on the plight of street children,
the Street Education Network of Manila Asmae Partners (Senmap)
has produced a live theater production featuring street
children under the care and protection programs of four
organizations: Kanlungan sa Erma, a Christ-centered
organization that serves children and families in need;
Bahay Tuluyan, a nongovernment organization that works
with street children and provides them social services,
food, medicine and shelter; Virlanie Foundation Inc.,
which has been providing shelter, education, love and
care to street children for more than 15 years; and
Specs Foundation, a church-based NGO that organizes
programs and sets up halfway homes for children, as well
education and microfinancing, in partnership with
Childhope Asia, an international nonprofit, nonpolitical
organization whose principal purpose is to advocate for
the cause of street children; and the Children’s
Laboratory Coalition.
Asmae
Philippines is an international solidarity NGO based in
France, which has been in the Philippines since 1989 and
is now providing technical and financial support to 21
NGOs. “The children have a lot of potential; however,
they have to be given the opportunity to realize it,”
says Marina Dubois of Asmae Philippines. The production,
entitled Ang Buhay ng Batang Lansangan (The Life
of Street Children), is a way to develop the children’s
skills, talent and self-confidence. “Developing their
talents will open more opportunities and possibilities
for them in the future,” Dubois added.
Senmap
seek the assistance of the Children’s Laboratory
Coalition to train the street children. The project aims
to dramatize the lives of street children; explain the
dynamics of a street education program as a viable
primary intervention; promote street education as a
profession; challenge particular sectors by presenting
human-rights issues faced by street children while in
the streets; and elicit concrete reactions and positive
commitments from the audience.
Seventeen children ages nine to 17 will be seen in the
play covering the issues facing street children,
including abuse, neglect, exploitation, drug abuse,
conflict with the law, along with the social stigma.
The
children come from Divisoria, Baclaran, Parañaque,
Luneta, Paco and San Andres, among other urban
locations. They will not just act but play instruments
and dance as well. The live presentation will start at 3
pm on October 11, to be held at the Augosto Rosario
Gonzales Theater, fifth floor, Mutien Building, De La
Salle University-College of St. Benilde. The show is
free but invitations are required. |
