Child vendors of Tagaytay

    We see them everytime we pass the heart of Tagaytay, fondly known as Olivarez- a place teeming with people who are waiting to board the bus at the bus terminal or frequenting the fast food centres located a stone's throw away from each other. Here, young children from ages 6 to 13 roam the streets, selling Filipino snacks to supplement their family's income. The lucky ones start their 'business' after school whilst there are some who drop out of school to earn money for their families. 

     We decided to 'visit' them yesterday, on the birthday of Our Lady to share with them some milk and to listen to their stories. Sure enough, when we arrived at the local fast food centre, Jollibee, 2 young girls approached us, asking us to buy their Espasol, a Filipino snack. Age 6 and 13, the sisters said that they were there everyday from 5 to 8pm, straight after school. They were joined by their friend, another girl of the same age. On weekends, they would be there the whole day to target the weekend visitors. Articulate and friendly, they immediately told us that it was the "birthday of Mama Mary" and they were simply delighted with the gift of chocolate milk, sweets and a picture of Our Lady. As we continued talking, a 13 year old boy joined us, carrying his peanut brittle for sale. His story was more heart wrenching as he had dropped out of school at 4th grade.  When asked if he would like to continue studying, his eyes teared and he covered his face in embarrassment. It was a familiar heart-breaking story in the Philippines- children forced to drop out of school due to poverty.

     As it grew darker and later in the evening, we asked if there were more children there and the girls piped up "marami" (many in Tagalog). Sure enough, they pointed us to the car park where more boys and girls were waiting with their baskets of snacks for sale. We went over and talked to them, sharing the chocolate milk and sweets. So many of them came that we had to return to our van for a refill of chocolate milk! We ended that time with a prayer- asking the Lord to bless them that night especially in the selling of their snacks. 
     
     We promised to return to visit and to see how the Lord leads us in our future outreach to them.

The children posing with their snacks

Gemma and Rannie packing milk packets for the children... getting ready to set off in the light drizzle!

Two grateful brothers, age 8 and 6, looking at their packet of milk