Last week I was running some errands with my niece Glenda and my son Chris. We were gone for quite awhile. When the place we went to didn’t have the stuff we wanted we then head home.
As soon as we opened the gate I could see my kids and my other niece and our helpers were so busy talking. I can’t see what they were doing and busy about, so after opening the gate we went to the area where all of them were standing.
As soon as Jared and Jean saw me they immediately told me “Oh mom, here’s 2 young kids that are so hungry and no food in their house. We gave them something to eat and drink”.
Irish and Arnie
I was shocked that two little ones were walking on the streets without parents supervision or somebody. I then asked the older girl how old are they? She told me her name is Arnie and that she’s 9 years old (which looking at her size, she looks like a 5 year old girl to me). She continued on saying that her younger sister, her name is Irish and she’s 6 years old (which looks like 3 years old).
The older one is not too shy but more reserved. The younger one, she’s more giggly and friendly and not shy with the camera. They were going around our neighborhood to get some empty Coke bottles and other stuff that they can make money with. So my kids and niece told them that we they will be gathering our empty bottles and other stuff that we are not using to give it to them. They were ecstatic and so thankful.
Irish is really posing for the picture!
The older girl Arnie came by again at our house yesterday to pick up the empty bottles. So I got a chance to talk to her. I asked her where is her mom? She answered that her mom was out doing laundry with other people and was paid (not enough really to support the family). Her dad she said was just at the house watching the house. It really puzzled me that the dad just stays home and not looking for a job for him to feed his family. I was just quiet and really feeling sorry for the kids. I asked her if she goes to school and did she already had some school supplies? She said yes, she’s going to school but they did not buy their school supplies yet. I asked her if she is saving the money that she will be making from the bottles for her school stuff? She said no, we are giving the money from the sale of the empty bottles to our mom to buy rice.
I hope they have a better life
Gosh, my heart just goes out to these girls. What can I say. My kids are gathering the extra school supplies that they have from last year and we have extra too when we went shopping a few days ago. Nicole had some stuff that she’s not using and fits perfect for Arnie. So at least they have some stuff.
Our yard guy brought some bananas for us. He brought a lot. So we gave some to Arnie for her and family to have for snacks. She had bottles and some other stuff on the bags that she’s carrying. We let her eat something first before sending her home. I even offered to pay for her fare but she declined. She said she will just walk home. We were really watching her, and I could tell my kids really like Arnie. I was telling Arnie to really try to study hard and work hard because that’s the only thing she will have to improve her life. I know lots of kids that live the same life as Arnie and Irish have live.
Really knowing the two kids now, I’m hoping that someday they will have a better life. Praying for them for that.