By Joel Abelinde
When Jaime and Cerelina Sang-an, of Manila, Philippines, found their rent getting out of reach, they knew they had to find a different place to stay. They are very grateful that it didn’t take them long to find a place they can afford. Actually, they won’t be paying rent any longer. They only have to keep the bridge clean and regularly unclog its drainage pipes, and in return, they can live under it for free.
“It is good here because we do not have to worry about monthly payments,” Cerelina says, cuddling her
7-year-old daughter, Jenny, close to her chest. “With the free stay, we can have something to spare for our other expenses,” she explains.
Jaime and Cerelina earn a living by selling candies. When they set out for a day’s work, they do not know where the job will take them. “Sometimes, we sell on the streets. Other times we go from house to house,” Jaime remarks. “One time I found myself in the next province, walking, offering my sweets to people I meet. We do all this for the sake of the children.”
With the little they earn, they struggled to put up a door and a wall made of concrete blocks to enclose their small space under the bridge. “This is very important for our safety, because before we moved in, this place was a hideout for drug pushers and thieves,” says Jaime. “It is cheap because we do not have to worry about the roof anymore. The bridge is our roof,” he adds as the passing traffic roars and rumbles overhead, causing a slight tremor below.
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Plants and flowers do little to hide the ugly underside of Jenny’s dismal surroundings. |
Jenny, the couple’s youngest child, has already become adept at climbing up and down the steep, slippery slope by the bridge – seemingly oblivious to the fact that one slip could end her life. She spends much of her time daydreaming about becoming an actress as she walks to and from first grade at a nearby school.
Jenny’s dreams could rise to the surface with
help from sponsorship. |
With the confidence of a rising star, Jenny exclaims, “I study well. I love reading.” Her books lie open on the floor beside a writing pen and paper to prove her point. “She was working on her assignments just now,” Cerelina says with a nod.
“Life seems to be better now for us,” confirms Cerelina, as if to reassure herself and her daughter. “We have a solid and safe structure [in which] to stay,” she continues. “But this is still under a bridge.” Sooner or later, she realizes they will have to move.
“Being a mother, I always pray that no one will get a serious sickness. I would not know how [to] manage if that happens,” she says nervously. “Jenny herself is rarely sick. I hope, though, that with the free stay here, we will be able to prepare [for] our children’s future.”
Embracing Jenny, Cerelina looks outside, through the darkness that has set in. The deep recess of her home under the bridge is no longer visible – appearing only as a black hole that seems to lead nowhere. |
“Bring your school uniforms outside Jenny,” Cerelina says. “I will wash them.” Jenny follows her outside, with the dirty clothes in hand. In the pale glow of electric bulbs fed from a tapped powerline, the two begin their preparations for a new day, one that will hopefully lead to a permanent way out from under the bridge.
Photos and reporting provided by Joel Abelinde, our communications coordinator in Manila, Philippines.
Give us a call at 1-800-888-3089 or email us at children@children.org if you would like to sponsor Jenny.
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