Seventeen children are now free from abuse and neglect after they were turned over to the Children’s Village of Bantay Bata 163.
Nine of them were “Lope’s” children.
“Siguro malaking pagbabago na nandito sila, kaysa nandun sila sa labas kung saan-saan nakarating. Mas mabuti nang nandito sila. Ang iniisip ko nalang, pipilitin kong makapaghanap ng trabaho. – “Lope” said.
Lope is a solo parent of eleven. His work as a street sweeper in a barangay is not enough to sustain his children. They live in the streets without food and shelter.
City Social Welfare and Development of Quezon City recently turned them over along with the second batch of children to the Children’s Village of Bantay Bata 163 for proper intervention and rehabilitation.
“Masaya po akong nandito ako. Excited po akong mag-aral at matuto,” said “Nel”, one of the children who was recently turned over to the Children’s Village.
“Nena”, who has stayed in the Children’s Village since last year, expressed her gratitude to the house parents for molding her and her fellow children to be better individuals.
“Magulo po sa bahay namin, tapos hindi mo po mararamdaman na mahalaga [kami], parang wala ka pong magulang. Pero simula po nang dumating ako dito (Children’s Village), lahat naman po ng pangangailangan ko napupunan, tapos iyong pagmamahal naman po naibigay po samin.” she added.
The turnover of children from Quezon City to the Children’s Village is part of ABS-CBN Foundation Bantay Bata 163’s partnership with Quezon City government to ensure the holistic protection and development of the child.