Kid of the Trip : Michael

I've been very blessed to be able to travel. Enjoy different places and activities, taste local delicacies and meet new people.  In between transits, I've noticed myself indulging in conversations with children. I make them smile, they make me laugh. They make me remember a part of my childhood I wish I can go back to. In this light, I thought of giving back, not necessarily monetary but something that can entice hope to uplift the child's morale and perspective in life. With this, I wish that it starts something in the child, be it a simple smile to others or even an act of kindness.

Paying it forward, I'll call this series : Kid of the Trip.

With your participation, help me share blessings or anything you have in excess. School supplies, maybe books, a set of crayons, a pack of candies, a simple note of inspiration or any little thing that can bring a smile to a child's day. Bibles will surely work too. 

I met Michael at the bus terminal from our Cagbalete Trip. He was selling bread known as Pinagong. Which is a local bread in the province of Quezon. He also sells Pan de Coco. His frail little body was carrying an ice chest loaded with 300 pieces of bread which he sells for P5 a piece. He gets P1 for each bread he sells. So if he manages to sell everything, he will get P60. Honestly, I pitied him for doing that at such a young age. I remembered my siblings living la vida loca and just asking money from my mom. I admit, my siblings are brats and I want them to learn while they are young how hard it is to earn money.

my first encounter with Michael

enjoying my bread

It was 2 in the afternoon and the sun was scorching hot. I can only imagine how hard it is walking around the streets and selling bread. I asked Michael why he is doing what he does. He told me that he is saving money for the coming school year. I was also surprised when he told me that he voluntarily sells bread to help his mother. He gives her half of what he earns and keeps the other half to himself. That alone, inspired me. His mother is a stay home wife and his father is a fisherman. Michael is a shy boy, doesn't want to look at the camera while Reuel was taking pictures of us. 

fidgeting w/ his ice chest while I was asking him questions

Michael is only 10 years old and an incoming grade 6 student. I asked him if he was doing well in school and he didn't answered. He just smiled. I told him that when I was still in school, I used to cheat during exams and quizzes (don't be self - righteous you holy you) and it was normal and a part of our school life. He didn't reacted again and just pursed his lips.

he smiled when I asked him if he cheats at school :D

We bought a total of 4 pieces of bread from him. Before he left, we gave him a total of P50. And our remaining gallon of mineral water which we brought from the resort to rinse our feet (please don't take this the wrong way, it was excess water that we bought for drinking). His face lighted up upon knowing how much water he got. It was priceless.

If only, I had thought of doing this series before, I would've brought a couple of notebooks and pens for him. But nonetheless, it was totally worth it.

Hasta luego!