Future...Whose Hands Is It In?
by Louanne Victoria Asis
I often hear people repeat Rizal's words, "ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan." I am part of that "kabataan." For the longest time, I was made to believe that the future is in our hands...that we should work for the future...that we are the ones responsible for the future...that the future depends on who we are and what we do today...Yes, I believed. But, honestly, right now, I am baffled.
I went to an orphanage this morning. It's where I will celebrate my birthday. While I was there, I did not really think much. I was just so stunned by the children there. Now, I'm thinking...thinking about a lot of things. What if I was one of them? What if I never knew my birth parents or my family as well? And if the future is in the hands of the young, why aren't they well taken care? I mean, how do their real parents manage to live their lives knowing they abandoned their sons and daughters? How can they (the young) work for the future if they don't even know or see they have a future to build? Or if no one tells them they are the hope of tomorrow? How can the future depend on who they are and what they do today if they don't even know who they really are? If no one tells them or guides them what they are supposed to do?
There are too many questions running in my mind right now. I guess one point I am driving at is this: how can they (the elders) say that the young are the hope of the future when they don't mold them (the young) into the persons they ought to be or into the best persons they can potentially become? I believe they can be a lot better than they are right now. There are far too many things I want to do for them. I want them to be taken care of. I want them to know they are the future. I want them to be who they really are. I want them to come to know and become who they ought to be. I want every parent to realize their responsibility to teach their child/ren... that they have to let them (the children) know they are the future. I want people to realize the importance of molding the hearts and minds of the young for a better future...because they deserve a better future.
I wish, hope and pray for everyone to be enlightened. ..that everyone may know the essence of teaching the young. I will all the young a better future...the kind they truly deserve.
Okay, so the point now, right? The article is about children in the orphanage... Kythe focuses on children in hospitals battling with chronic illnesses... The situation of the children from the orphanage may not be exactly the same as that of the children Kythe takes care of...but the fact still remains that they need us. These children need us. They need our help. And we also need them. I think, more than we can help them, they have more to offer and they can help us in ways we cannot even fathom. You'll be surprised. What these children are going through is not something to take for granted. It shouldn’t even be something they’re to be going through. And we can change that. Battling a chronic illness is not an easy thing, more so if you are a child. But we can make a difference. We may not be able to take away all the pains or make life easy for them, but at least we can make it bearable. And we can help them go through their pain with a smile. These children deserve a lot more. They deserve better.
People would always say that life is unfair. I guess that does not go for me. For years, I was made to believe that life is a mere representation of something that you have or you own. But because of children like those Kythe takes care of, I see a different view of it. Life is a GIFT, a BLESSING, a VERY SPECIAL GIFT FROM GOD. And these children represent life. I have journeyed life as a very special and extraordinary track. I have seen a lot of wonderful and ravishing sights that a person my age (perhaps) never imagined in his life to see. There was chaos, there was fun, and there was a tragedy that made me fall. During those times, I was at the peak of building my life and making a difference. Or so I thought. I guess another force was really trying to make me see things from a whole different perspective. IT deceived me of the popularity and applause that I had. It blinded me of the opportunity to really see the true things I was seeking, love and happiness. Nevertheless, truth and joy always prevail. Now, I see a different area where I can build a new culture of honesty, simplicity, humility and love in the hearts of every unique and humble child I meet through Kythe. You may not exactly be fighting the same things these kids are, but you are in a battle nonetheless, also struggling. It would really be something if we can all fight together and help each other out. You will not regret volunteering for Kythe. It’s really fulfilling and really makes you feel victorious just by seeing pure and simple joy in the eyes of the children. And you will know what lies in their hearts through their eyes.
I guess it’s sort of like building a “heaven” here on earth. How? It’s by sharing and giving. It’s by offering our lives to these children. It’s by loving them. But because all of us also go through a share of trials and tribulations, that’s something quite hard for a lot of people to do…so radical…a radical way of making them feel the joy of being loved…the joy of heaven…a way of letting them feel God in their midst…in their minds…in their hearts. We are all in a race…a race to which we give our all to reach the finish line…our all…every inch, every part of ourselves. And as we run, we continue to look and see ahead of us so that we could catch up or even outrun them. Let us not forget to look beside us so we can run together. And look behind so we can help the others catch up so we can all run together. Let us help each other. Carrying our own heavy loads, but still continuing to help others carry theirs. Together running to reach what lies ahead…together. Nobody gets left behind…nobody. And with God, the maker of all, cheering for us, accompanying us, inspiring us, helping us, loving us.
Burden, pain, suffering…they’ re all part of life. Fear, temptation, anxiety…they’re all part of life. Trees, birds, oceans, seas…people…joy, gratitude, happiness…whatever it is you are thinking…they’ re all part of life in this great big planet…they are all part of a great big plan…God’s plan…God’s plan for each and every single one of us. Just always give your all. Do not be afraid to suffer…do not fear…do not be afraid of pain…rely on and trust God’s power…for His goodness will someday bring us to a life of prosperity…full of joy…full of happiness…full of love.
I have been through a great deal in life, a lot of which are perhaps similar to what these kids are going through. These experiences help me understand them more. And that is why I chose to take part in Kythe’s mission to extend care to pediatric patients and implement the Child Life Program. Well, you don’t have to go through those to be able to volunteer. Just as long as you have the heart to do so, please don’t let anyone or anything hinder you from doing so. I cannot tell you that what you will experience with Kythe is easy…but I can guarantee that it will make a difference in these children’s lives and in your life as well. God will conquer our hearts through these children.