If i were to start my life over I would have done it yesterday January 28th, 2007. It has been my third visit to the North Cemetery in Manila, Philippines.
It took a few days to really get things off the ground and after such a struggle and push to show our means to a positive movement and not exploiting kids for the means of selfish reasons, my first encounter with the families on the cemetery has truly happened. It really hit home. I fully engaged in chats and shared ideas with the most incredible kids I've ever met. Carlo, a kid that had full scraps on his knee needed medical attention and aside from his pain he was more enthrolled in my video camera. I was prepared with my hand sanitizer and challenges of physically making contact with these kids but their overwhelming curiousity and smiles on their faces made me forget about all precautions. My broken tagalog only made the kids laugh more. Instead of being afraid of a foreigner within their home they provided comfort within their laughter and took every chance to correct my grammar. They were able to communicate the "taglish" language better than I could... and that made me surprised.
I visited another community called Pamana which were kids that lived under bridges and on the railroads. Maggie Ferrara had an amazing program set up to teach kids how to play a musical instrument. I was surprised to see 8 to 9 kids were able to play drums, guitars, keys and sing together as a band... Unfortunately there was only one kids that was part of the program from the North Cemetery, Kevin. Only reason for that was their lack of transportation to the community centre. Kevin's strive for advocacy and passion for a better life was his life line walk every other day in reaching the community centre to have his dose of music/creativity expressed.
There is a need for youth initiatives in the country and because of these programs these kids now have an identity.
Day 3 in the cemetery... 4 weeks left. Waiting upon the other 2 people part of this project to take in this experience. Can't wait to see u both.
For More details of movement
jR