“In the Sea of Garbage”

A Story of the children in Alaska Mambaling, Cebu City

Written By: Susanne Mae De La Cruz

This is a picture of the sea near the house of Vedah Gajudo.

There was a song used by a politician for his campaign. It started with a word “Nakaligo ka na ba sa dagat ng basura?”(Have you ever tried swimming in a sea of garbage?) The first thing that came into my mind is that the “sea of garbage” is just an exaggeration, just for him to get the attention as well as the vote of the people. But today, I have seen that a sea of garbage really does exist.

This is Vedah with her mother and two siblings during one of our visits. The narrow door is their house's door. Vedah is the girl in pink blouse.

Going with teacher Jennifer on her trips to visit the sponsor-kids, I got to meet Vedah Gajudo, another sponsored child. She will start in fourth grade this coming school year. She lives in Alaska Mambaling; a place in Cebu where most of the people live as squatters. Vedah’s house is built on the sea-side, which means that if the water rises, it enters their home. And I got the experience of personally standing on the sea of garbage. The sea which is supposedly blue, has turned grayish brown because of the garbage gets dumped in the sea by the residents. Garbage floats on the water and you can see it anywhere. Then I got to ask myself, “could I live in such a place as this?” How could these children survive a life as miserable as this; having this garbage as a part of their every day life. Putting into consideration the effects of the environment on these children, this place is of real danger for them. The garbage canbadly affect their health, given that they swim in that dirty sea water.

People running around fighting among themselves is another issue. There are gun shootings and the susceptibility to fire is one other thing to be concerned of — and the lack of electricity and running water gives the children an unhealthy learning environment.

This a picture taken by a newspaper reporter during the fire in Alaska Mambaling last February 2009. Courtesy of google.com

And as I further analyze this, I felt grateful but at the same time I felt sad and worried. I am grateful and happy for not being one of those who are living such a cruel life and for having enough of what I need. I thanked God that He has blessed me so much. But then I felt sad for the these children and their bad living conditions, and worried of what their future might hold for them. In a life when there is almost no hope, how could they continue to stand up and fight for their right to live? But I then remembered what God has promised; that He will never leave nor forsake His people if they will just ask Him and let Him into their lives. I know deep in my heart that God has plans for these children, plans to prosper them and to give them hope and a future. And so I know that if given an opportunity to get out of that miserable life, these children will go further and they will live according to how men should live, having enough of everything as God’s plan was for us.

People in Alaska Mambaling are used to swimming in the polluted waters; especially the children.

If you have enough or more than enough, and you want to give one of these children an opportunity to rise above poverty, sponsor a child through the sponsorship program. You can help them the children take a step above poverty. You and me — together we can make a difference.

This is a picture taken when Vedah received her school supplies. The sponsorship program has really helped a lot of children such as Vedah and her family.

You can also give a gift to help one or more children from the Alaska Mambaling area in Cebu City.

Together we can make a difference!

Susanne Mae De La Cruz is an intern with Rise Above from the University of the Philippines