Manila's Reality
Almost a hundred thousand children roam the streets of Metro Manila. Many have no homes or families to return to, and others choose not to for reasons of abuse or tragic neglect. These are children ranging in ages from three to seventeen. They wake up every day alone and forgotten by a society that is supposedly there to protect and nurture them.
In order to survive they group together for protection and oftentimes end up either begging or committing petty theft to get food and other necessities for survival. In order to forget their existence and abandonment many turn to drugs and substance abuse. Many are drawn into syndicate crime groups who exploit them as beggars, drug-runners and child prostitutes. No child would choose such a life. However, we as a society can choose to give back to the children that which they desire most, their childhood. It’s their right as children.