THE LOCKDOWN CONTINUES, #VINCENTHELPS CONTINUES

By Daniel Franklin E. Pilario, CM

Jeepney drivers still could not ply their routes. Their families still have no food. For five months now, they live inside their jeepneys parked in some area not to be noticed by the police. For five months now, they stop us on the roads with their placards: "Pang kain lang po." Before it was us who stopped them to get a ride; this time, it is they stop us asking for help. Before it was they who served us; this time, we are asked to return the favor back.

Street people live on carts, by the sidewalk or under the bridge. We are used to see them before. If they did not have work in pre-COVID times, much more today. They used to scavenge for garbage and sell it. They roam around our streets, gathering whatever they can get. They have gathered enough — cardboard or paper or empty bottles. But it sells way way less than before. So, they continue to beg for food. Many only eat once a day; others just sleep the night away.

Some few others just roam around the streets aimlessly. Some of them lose their minds, murmur to themselves, did not take shower for days. They stay at some strategic place, hoping that some kind person pass them by and give something. At night, they hide is some safe corner protected from rain or cold. The next day they are up to roam again.

I also saw some grandmothers or grandfathers who are begging. They are not the usual beggars. They are otherwise decently dressed. But when you talk to them, they will tell you: "Pang kain lang po. Wala talaga kaming mapuntahan."

#VincentHelps continues to serve these people. This week our friend Jane Pajarillaga and her staff at Le Couleur Professionnel volunteered to bring the bags of goods. They donated rice and goods for 220 families, repacked and distributed the bags themselves. We are deeply grateful for their generosity.

We welcome other donors like them. You can donate in cash or in kind. To have no work for five months is horrible. Three kilos of rice and goods for a week is not much. But for them, it is God-sent.

With a government which has no plans for these people, or no plans for all of us at all, it is about time that we help others not to be too hungry and survive this pandemic. Whatever you have, no matter how little, can be shared.

In some future time, we are thinking of some sustainable livelihood for those among them who are interested. You can also join in this endeavor. Please do not hesitate to contact us.

Follow and support us @ #VincentHelps. CTTO for the pics.

Daniel Franklin Pilario, C.M.
St. Vincent School of Theology
Adamson University
danielfrankpilario@yahoo.com
08.07.2020