‘Children at risk’ get help

Danish intern Mathias Lykke Rasmussen (left) who is studying social education, and Redentor Betito, program director of the Children of Cebu Foundation, meet with street children at the Pari-an Drop-in Center in Cebu City.
(CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA)

Ray, 13,  dreams of becoming a pilot. This is  his  only wish every Christmas.

“Pagbata pa nako, basta makakita gani kog eroplano molabay sa panganod, ingnon gyud nako ako mama nga gusto ko magpilot (Since I was young, I would always tell my mother that I wanted to be a pilot when  I’d  see a plane in the sky)” Ray told Cebu Daily News.

But with nine  siblings to feed, Ray’s parents find it hard to support their basic needs, much less fulfill their dreams.

His mother stays home to take care of the younger children while his father sells fish for a living. Their situation became worse in 2008 when his father suffered a nervous breakdown.

Ray had to stop schooling. He got involved with youths who would often  figure in fistfights.

His mother sought help from social workers in their barangay in Guadalupe, Cebu City. He underwent counseling with the city’s Department of Social Welfare and Services (DSWS).

Last December 19, Ray and 15 other “children at risk” received financial assistance from the DSWS. “Children  at risk” are minors who have  engaged in petty crimes like pickpocketing, snatching,  riots and other forms of misbehavior.

DSWS chief Dr. Ester Concha said the beneficiaries of the cash aid were elementary pupils hwo received P2,500 each and high school students  who received P3,000 each.

“We chose those who really need the assistance and gave the money for them to buy school supplies and help them with their studies,”Concha said.

The 16 beneficiaries were from barangays Basak San Nicolas, Guadalupe, Ermita, Mabolo, Toong, San Jose, Malubog and Talamban.

The DSWS has been helping children at risk and children in conflict with the law through diversion and counseling programs, said Concha.

There are around 800 children at risk in Cebu City, based on DSWS records.

Most of them have returned to their  communities after the DSWS  interventions  together with their parents or relatives. Others with no families were turned over to an orphanage.

“We have also talked and coordinated with the different barangay officials, GAD officers, barangay tanods and police in the areas where the kids have been allowed to return. We inform them about their conditions and asked to help us monitor the children,” Concha added.

Ray was among them.

“Pasalamat kog dako kang Mayor Rama nga naapil akong anak ani. Kay para gyud ni sa iyang kaayohan (I’m very thankful to Mayor Rama that my son was included in this program which will benefit him),” she said

Ray has resumed his studies in  Grade 6 at the Labangon Elementary School. The day the cash assistance was given was also the day his class was having their Christmas party.

Ray wasn’t able to join because the family didn’t have  extra money to contribute for the party.

“I’ll just use the money to buy school supplies, shirts and pants,” he  said in Cebuano.