A REAL FAMILY

My mom died when I was a month old, that’s why I grew up with my grandparents who lived under a bridge.
My grandma took good care of me, but to sleep on the streets was very hard.
It was disgusting when guys came and tried to touch me. Often, my grandma did not notice. When I was 7 years old, some of the staff from HELP International started to visit me under the bridge, where I lived, and told me about a God who loves me. I didn’t understand a lot, but I liked the people. They became my friends. When I turned 13 my grandma decided that it would be better for me to stay with HELP. Maybe she did notice the nightly advances after all and was scared for me. For the first time in my life I experienced a real family and safety at the ‘Father’s House’. Meanwhile I’m 17 years old and I’m studying to be a teacher. It’s my wish to impart hope for a good future to the kids who, like me back then, only have the streets as their home.
Jennifer

The ‘Father’s House’ is the centerpiece of the City Mission Manila, which serves children and young adults from a very poor background through outreaches and
meetings.