A M P O N

AMPON
March 15, 2008

“Ampon” (adopted child) was how I called him. He in turn called me Itay and my wife, Inay. He came from ERMA KANLUNGAN, a place that Sheltered Abandoned Children. According to him he was only one year old when abandoned by his parents whom he never had a chance to know well. He was taken by his illiterate uncle who treated him very badly. He grew up in a very hostile environment.
His school experience was only up to grade one because his illiterate uncle did not want him to learn. He was tortured for every little mistake and was not given enough nutrition to keep him healthy. His uncle said he had an elder sister that he couldn’t recall and had no idea about her whereabouts.
When he reached the age of thirteen he stowed away and was able to reach Manila by riding and hiding in a commercial ship. In Manila, he did not know where to go and what to do, so, he was invited by some hardened street children who taught him how to inhale rugby solvent to temporarily forget their individual problems.
He was never convinced to join them snatching or slashing or doing akyat-bahay activities knowing that those were bad practices and afraid of being apprehended by the police. He earned a little by doing any dirty job in the marketplace or as kargador at the pier.
Early one night, a Born Again Pastor accidentally encountered him roaming around CPC Complex. He was brought to ERMA KANLUNGAN (Ermita-Manila Shelter for Street Children). There, they were given informal education by volunteers. Aside from being street smart, his informal training somehow made him ready to face the intricacies of the outside world. After three years of training and guidance at the Shelter he was brought to a Barangay in Cavite where those who were ready for release were trained to do different kinds of work especially in the farm.
He was in that Extension Shelter when someone recommended him to me knowing that I was looking for a gardener. I accepted him temporarily for two months observation. According to the Pastor who was his spiritual guide, he was never caught stealing or using others’ personal properties. He was very hygienic to himself and to his surroundings. He was “good in eating”, continued the Pastor,” probably due to lack of food at the shelter”.
He sadly expressed to me his very deep interest in pursuing his studies but now that he was seventeen years old, he felt awkward joining grade two pupils and also feared being ridiculed by the young classmates. I have been looking around for any school nearby that offered any short course that would fit him to be useful and fruitful.
According to him he could take a Bible Course because in that course he could be with anybody. It was his fervent wish to have any kind of certificate to prove that he also studied. He may also end up as a Pastor someday and when that happens he wanted to erect a big Church that will Praise God most of the time while he shall gather as many abandoned children like him. He shall take care of them, guide them and treat them the way "I am treating him now".
He has been rescued from the street but the marks of the street are still very much imbedded in his system. He ate with his bare hands finding it difficult to use fork and spoon. He sat with his feet up while in continuous movement as if in tremors. He quickly sings aloud without any provocation but one time I tried to listen and I found out that he was singing praises to the Lord.
I requested the Pastor guiding him, for another month of observation. In as far as doing his work is concerned he had improved a lot. He was a little bit doing better with his table manner but he was still wearing earring on one ear and another one on his tongue. He felt so at home with those borloloys but I have already convinced him to cut his hair to a decent shortness.
Saving or rescuing a street child is not a very easy job but Anthony (his name) was showing great signs of improvement. My wife and I, at this point were convinced that he could be accepted as our foster child. After all he didn’t know the whereabouts of his parents and other relatives.
Who knows? He might yet be the one who shall take care of us when we become old and weak. Yesterday he left to me half of his monthly salary for saving. I told him to put his money in the bank but he did not want to experience the hassles of depositing and withdrawing. One thing good about Anthony, he was very religious. I often see him in serious prayers still hoping to see his family but requested me that should his family find him and try to take him home with them, “Itay wag nyo na akong ibibigay…”
We have about two weeks left to decide if we shall accept him as our foster child. We are praying to God to show us the sign because we believe that accepting him is just one simple act of Mercy. ”Whatever you do to the least of my brethren, you do it to Me”, Jesus said one time while teaching here on earth.