Water is scarce. Heat of the sun is slowing down most of our activities. Most of the time, I find myself sitting on the couch, legs up, electric fan on me while the TV is on or while I browse on the iPad.
At 5 or 6am, I have to wake up, check if there's water that comes out from the faucet and immediately fill out all 6 containers, do the laundry, take a bath and refill. Sometimes, I have to wake my daughters up early so they could "avail" of the ample supply for their baths.
Yesterday, when I checked out our containers, there's only about 5 gallons left. Not enough for a bedtime bath and for washing the dishes. I thought we can let the dishes stay for the night on the sink and had them washed the next day when water comes. But I couldn't sacrifice going to bed without taking a shower. I then checked on the kids who would run around the compound and wait for residents to call them for their services. These kids live outside our compound, they are poor kids who get money from our neighbors who would ask them to do stuff like buying coke or beers at lunchtime or early evening, having the garbage thrown, by scrubbing the floors, or by fetching water. I found myself asking these kids buy a litro of coke in between meals for snacks in the middle of the day and give them 10pesos for their service.
Last night, I found them near the gate of a neighbor playing. I waved my hands hoping they could see me with the lights on at my veranda. After few seconds, they saw me and came to my house running. I asked them if they wanted to fetch water for us. Without second thought, they agreed. I lived at the second floor of a 2-story house. To fetch water from a deep well about 10meters away and bring them to the second floor will take strength and these kids were of small built but very willing to do the job. I handed them 2 small pails and they went ahead. After few minutes, they came back with water in the pails 3/4 full. The biggest of them lifted one pail and the other pail was shared by the 2 smaller ones. They came back and forth 4 times, filling 2 big buckets, just enough for a bath of 3 persons. After their 4th, I said it's enough and asked Knycole to hand them over 50pesos. I'm done with my quick shower and was inside the room when Knycole knocked on the door and informed me they didn't leave yet. I said "give them additional 10 so it'll be 20 each". After giving them extra 10, they asked for bread. They must have seen the loaf bread on the table when they passed through the kitchen and poured the water in the bins inside the bathroom. Without hesitation, I asked Knycole to spread on peanut butter on a pair of loaf bread and served them a glassful of coke so they could eat while resting. I could hear them laugh and told stories while snacking. After 10minutes, the youngest came to the living room and asked me where to put the glasses. I instructed him to lay the glasses on the sink. I asked their names but as of writing time, I have forgotten. They left happy and full.
After they left, I told my nephew, Kirby who sat beside me to always be thankful for his mom who work too hard so he could have a better life. He didn't get to experience what these kids have to experience. He has a good life, a comfortable life because he has a mom who's willing to sacrifice and work hard so he could enjoy the best of what life has to offer. He smiled and said, "opo".
In few days, rainy season will be here. There'll be much water and there's no need for me to ask for these kids' services. No, not for fetching water. But I'm sure they will still be seen around waiting for my neighbors' call for help. There'll be days when they'd be working, days when they'd be vacant, days when they'd be just playing around. But you see, these kids go to school, too. They just don't play around and work. They have goals. They have dreams. And they knew hard work. They knew the value of money and they are, in my own opinion lucky to experience life. I believe the hard work they do will be their inspiration to work harder, to study harder and to dream bigger. I was once like them- working for neighbors to have money to buy my own toys and other needs. I learned that working is the only way to get by, that by studying hard, dreams can be reached. To us who love work, let us celebrate that we are able, that we can, that we do. More work, please!
