Philippines-I was living on the cemetery

Tattoos from top to toe, a broad grin revealing lots of decayed teeth –
his looks already betrayed the fact, that he have had a tough life ...
Danilo, approx. 22 years old (since there is no birth certificate he doesn’t know his exact age), is living with us for two month by now:
“My life has been an utter chaos. Still little, I lived with my family on a graveyard.
When I was 12 years old, my dad was stabbed to death owing to some pesos.
After it I ran away from home and started living on the streets, begging for money. With the money I bought drugs and the glue I sniffed. Later on, I began to steal.
At the age of seventeen I was imprisoned a year and a half for my first time, charged of theft.
Just released I was jailed again for three months. After my discharge I found work at the countryside with the aid of my aunt. While visiting my family in Manila
for a few days, the police arrested me, accusing me of stealing a mobile phone and illegal possession of knives, even though I was innocent. In order to be released early, I confessed to the crime and was able to go home after one and a half month. Four days later, I laid my hands on some silver jewelry and was arrested one more time. Since I didn’t want to confess to the crime, the police beat me up and tortured me. In prison the cell mates trashed me as well.
To obtain the money I needed for smoking and gambling I got tattoos all over my body, because that’s how you can earn money in prison.
During my time in prison I started praying to God asking him to help me lead a good life when I get out of prison. God answered my prayers, and through a friend I came here to this rehab center. I’m so glad and grateful to be here!”

God changed my live

When I was a little boy, our family lived in Bicol. My mother got very sick and before she died, she told us that our ‘father’ was not our biological father. After she died, our stepfather mistreated those of us who were not his own children. We had to go to the fields and collect fallen coconuts or steal fruits so we had something to eat. When he heard about it, he would beat us up. At nine years of age, I ran away to another province and at eleven, I eventually ended up in Manila. I was either in the streets or in different shelters for homeless boys or rehab centers. I started smoking, drinking and taking drugs and realized that the stronger, tougher ones were respected and feared. I stole to win their friendship until at seventeen years old, I got caught and went to jail. During the eight months in jail, no one came to visit me and I realized that there is no such thing as friendship in the streets.
While I was in and out of jail, one social organization took me in, sent me to school and trained me as an educator. Though I was given this break, I only experienced a physical change. I looked better but continued to drink and take drugs, even influencing the kids I was supposed to be helping. It was not long before I was back in the streets with nothing. I was a depressed, angry and violent snatcher and hold-upper. When I was high, I stayed by myself and it was during one of these times that I cried out to God that I wanted to change and needed His help.
I met the people from HELP during their outreaches to Cubao and they offered their Father’s House. I had become accustomed to life in the streets so I did not take their offer seriously. I attended the services of the City Mission to take a shower, get new clothes and have a free meal. During all this time, I always had a soft spot for children. I cared for certain kids in the street and protected them.
One day, I was in a fight where I was badly injured. The other guy chased me with a machete and hit the back of my neck. As I tried to run away from him, my face smashed into a car. I lost my front teeth, my face and neck needed stitches and my shoulder was broken. I knew I would not survive the streets in my condition. That’s when I decided to accept the offer of my friends at HELP. I thought I would stay there until I became well and strong again; at the same time, I would be safe from the police. I was touched by the testimonies of the staff and felt that their teachings were alive. I also found the acceptance and friendship I was looking for. I started to have a relationship with God as I realized He was real and gave me the new life I had wanted so much. As I prayed and surrendered all my anger to God, I felt Him move in my heart and I was challenged to open my heart to Him. I experienced God setting me free from my vices like smoking, drinking, taking rugby and drugs. What the devil destroyed and stole from me, God was restoring and I am now in touch with my family. I embraced the new family He had given me as I received their love and guidance. I am now on my third year in Focolare, a carpentry training center. When I graduate next year, I would like to serve God here at HELP and see how He will lead me.

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.

A HAPPY DAY

Annabell was three years old when she came to the Father’s House as an orphan.
She was traumatized, malnourished and sick, her eyes were empty, she didn’t speak at all, was very intimidated and cried easily. Whenever the other children were playing, she sat on the brink watching them.
A short time ago we celebrated Annabell’s 6th birthday. She ain’t the same girl anymore!
The perturbed little girl changed into a happy preschooler.
Annabell loves to sing, to tease others and to laugh a good deal. She has many friends and is very popular.
She wished for chocolate pudding, balloons and a jojo for her birthday and was overjoyed that she was allowed to eat pudding for breakfast, lunch and diner ...