Mother, Why Am I Here?

Mother, mother why am I here...? This question was asked by Juan, an eight year old child who grew up on the street to his mother. Mother, why am I here?

Mother, why am I here? Juan was crying while I'm asking him why he's staying at the street. He should be studying at school at that time.

Mother why Am I here? Why did you let me suffer like this? Do you still love me?
Where are you father?

Juan is a street child. He can always be seen near a university in Manila, he's roaming around the area with his fellow street children. Sometimes, asking a penny or food to the students passing by. You might thought that he's playing with the students passing by for you can see a smile on his face while asking for alms. You would wonder if these students know Juan that much. Sometimes he plays with the other street children and you might think that he has no problem at all. These are small innocent children that supposedly studying in school for their future.

His mother left her to his grandparents. They are the one who raised him. Her mother said to be a domestic helper abroad and didn't come back again. And his father left his mother when he was still in her womb. That's the reason why Juan is asking, Mother why am I here?

Mother, why am I here? Sometimes Juan asks himself if he loves his parents. And at that very moment when they make a child, did they think about the hard situation that they might encounter in the future? From the smile on their face and the happy moments that they share that night together. A happy moment and yet the hardest part when he was born? Did they ever think about it? Did they ever talk about his future and who will take care of him? A question that stuck on his young innocent mind and needs an answer.

Just like our National Hero said "The youth is the success of our country". How can this happen if there are some parents neglecting their child. What will be their future, when their parents lead them on the streets? For those parents who cannot do their responsibilities for their children, you should not let a child be born. For they will just have a hard time living without the guidance and support from their parents.

Mother, mother why am I here?