Street Children

I spent time strolling downtown especially when I feel languid to go home. This feat help me escapes from monotonous view of my surroundings and breaks my routine. With these, I can see different people even though they are unfamiliar, I can breathe cleaner and fresher air without thinking of possible illness I can get with polluted air due to some inconsiderate automobile owner and lastly, passes time unnoticeable.

And when I feel tired and hungry, since walking consumed my energy, to replenish it I usually go to my favorite 24 hour convenient store nearby to buy something to eat. Even though eating while walking is unethical as they say, I seem not to care.  I’ll eat what I want and where I want.

Anyway, when I was still working in an office I usually ate this way. Since office works requires more time especially when you have stack of file to accomplish, you don’t have any liberty but to do this way.

This is no different.

But I was wrong.

When I grab for a bite, savoring and relishing its flavor just like a scrumptious meal has been halted by someone who pulled my sleeve. Curious, I gazed to see who did. And what I saw melts my heart. A child, maybe age 8, wearing tattered shirt, untidy skin that seems deprived of water for years and malnourished body. He is begging for my food.

That even I was so hungry and my mind tells me to resist, he left me no choice but to give it to him.

Who wouldn’t soften a heart seeing a child that seems not eaten for ages? That when you looked into his eyes, only revealed hardship, adversities and a silent outcry for help.

Since I am naturally inquisitive, I ask his parent’s whereabouts.  I actually bit surprised on his answer, that his father is doing nothing at home. I wonder why some parents drag their children into such miserable situation and permitting them to earn for a living. Why don’t they move, step forward and do their responsibilities for their family.

Children should be loved and cared especially by their parents and their family. It’s not their privilege but their right. Their innocence shouldn’t been abducted by the parents or anyone.

But as you can see, they are anywhere and the sad part of it, they’re continuously increasing.

Who do you think should be blame?