Street Children of the Philippines

It may seem like a breath-taking stunt for most of us. But for 3-yr-old Elsha May, begging for money is her craft.

Maritess, her older sister, says Elsha May was barely 2 years old when she started begging money from passengers of the jeepney. The jeepney is a local means of transportation in the Philippines. As soon as the stoplight turns red, Elsha May runs to the jeepney, wipes the shoes of passengers, and looks into their eyes until she gets the equivalent of 2 cents.

At night, Elsha May is at the train station, begging once more for money and food.

Elsha May gives all her earnings to her family. After a hard day's work, she shares with her siblings a plate of noodles that she bought with her earnings. Maricris is 14 years old and has stopped going to school. She only finished first grade.

“I had to stop because we had no money to put me to school,” said Maricris Alfon. “I have to take care of my younger brothers and sisters who are out in the streets. We need to beg so we can have money to buy rice.

On another visit that CSN News team made to the train station, Elsha May was seen fast asleep. But even in her sleep, she earned the much needed cents for her family.

Vicente said he is aware of the dangers that his children are exposed to in the streets. But Vicente also said he has not found a job yet and so this is the only way his children will not go hungry.

Joan Luciano is a social worker and the head of the Sidewalk Ministries of Lighthouse Christian Community Church. Luciano believes the "quick fix" mindset of street children and their parents needs to be changed.

“The children should be taught to look beyond their immediate needs, that God is able to give them a life better than scavenging or begging,” Luciano said. “These children should be taught to dream and to work towards realizing that dream.”

As many as 6,000 street children have learned about Jesus because of the Lighthouse Church effort. Volunteers go where the children are – in railroads, sidewalks, under trees, and on rooftops.

It is in these sidewalk Bible classes where these children find refuge. After being out in the streets for a week, they come here to learn, have fun and enjoy just being children.

On this particular Saturday, Maricris attended this Sidewalk Ministry class. She seemed dazed at first. Seeing other street kids like her come together and have so much fun was new to her.

The teacher, Paquito Grama, was himself a former street kid. He said he was stealing and gambling at the age of 10 but his behavior changed after he joined the Sidewalk Bible class.

Paquito admitted he was attracted to the food at first. But his hunger for food eventually turned to a hunger for Jesus. Today Paquito is the area coordinator of Sidewalk Ministries. Soon he will graduate with a bachelor's degree in Christian education.

“I believe that as the Lord is changing my life, he can also change the lives of these children only if these children will believe and surrender their lives to Jesus Christ,” Grama said.

At the end of her first Bible class, Maricris' face brightened. But when asked about how she felt, she broke into tears.

“I remember my brothers and sisters,” she said. “I pity them. I want to go back to school so I can help them. I don't want to see them suffering.”

Paquito said the cry of Maricris' heart is also the cry of thousands of street kids like her. He said as his life has proven, no matter how desperate the situation may be, there is a brighter future for those who surrender their life to Christ.

And as long as compassionate Filipinos help, the children can fulfill their dreams