What will you do if you are the mother?
By shylade
@shylade (3132)
Philippines
July 29, 2012 8:21pm CST
Last night, I have watched a documentary about a widow mom and her 6 children. They lived in shanties in Tondo, Manila. They are one of those informal settles in the city. The documentary topic is about malnutrition. The widow mother have 6 children. She has no job and she's just asking for money from her brothers and sisters. During the day, according to her, she will peel garlic and paid for 40 pesos only. That will be the money she will use to buy food for her kids who are 10 years old and below. There's a scene where one of her child was crying because they don't have soap for her to use. They just borrow soap from their neighbors because according to her, she will buy food first before anything. They also go to once a day feeding program just to have something to eat. All her children are undernourished and are suspected to have a primary complex. Her two boys have to clothes to wear hence they are all naked. One boy has a large wound on his thigh. It breaks my heart to see these. The mother even said she will not let any of her child be taken away from her. But her child are in the worst situation. She already lost 2 children because of sickness. I am really afraid, she will lose another one or two or three because of their situation. Yes, we can't blame her feelings because she's a mother but if you already seeing your children with no clothes and no food to eat will you still hold on to what you feel? The children have the right for a shelter, clothes and food. The parents should provide those for them right? If I am the mother, I will let them taken away and be in much better place than to see them everyday in a worst situation.
5 responses
@jellsiguenza (147)
• Philippines
17 Aug 12
If I am the mother of those kids I will look for additional job. Any job as long as its legal. In order for me to sustain my kids basic needs. My first child passed away when he was 16 months old and it is really very painful. I wonder how did she managed to survived losing two kids and the threat of losing another one or two. She's really tough and I admire her for that. But the fact that she can no longer feed her children, in my opinion, I think it would be better if she can ask her relatives to help her or better if she let her other kids to live with her relatives. Being a mom, I know its a very hard thing to do. But she should think of the welfare of her kids first before what she will feel about the situation.
@shylade (3132)
• Philippines
17 Aug 12
That's what I am wondering too. But she has three small children and maybe that's the reason why she can't find a job away from their place. I hope they are still okay now. She promised she will visit the health center again to watch their health. Thanks for the response.
@arizen (152)
• Philippines
31 Jul 12
It is indeed very sad that while we can afford first rate dinner meals and expensive things, there are families like this. If I am the mother, I will give myself a deadline to find a job that can suffice the needs of the children. I hardly believe that she can find one. And so with the deadline, I will choose to give my children to person who can take care of them and give their needs. It is rather unwise to stay as a family if the parents cannot provide even their most basic needs.
@shylade (3132)
• Philippines
31 Jul 12
I also feel that and I'm guilty wasting food at home. I told my son how lucky he is because we provide the best for him. The mother is somewhat sick too and needs medical assistance. I just don't know why she don't have time to go to health center for free check ups and medicine. She don't seem to care about her children's health and just contented with watching TV at their neighbor's house and peeling garlic as her work. Maybe she's still in denial of everything. Thanks for the response.
@May2008 (179)
• China
18 Aug 12
It's really heart-breaking to see your discusion. As a mother, the feeling becomes even more severe. The mother should move to a place with relatively lower consumption in order just to live. To live, you can have hope! Go for help from the society, from the public. Try every means to live, to let her kids live, is the formost thing. You give their life, you have the responsibility to bring them up. Give up fame, every selfish feelings! Just to let the kids live. When the kids grow up, they surely will forgive everyting that the mother has done in order to let them live, to get clothes, to get food.
@stanley777 (9402)
• Philippines
30 Jul 12
Yes, it's really saddening to know that there are many parents who prefers to live in cities. And most of them are informal settlers who try their luck hoping for a change in their life. But not all of them are lucky enough, and one example is this family. A widower with 6 mouths to feed without a job, how will they survive.
If the parents have a province to go back back. I think their chances is more rewarding than staying in the city without a job.
@shylade (3132)
• Philippines
30 Jul 12
Yeah you're right. If they have a province to go back then much better. The life in the city is so fast and expensive. You really can't survive if you don't have a permanent and good paying job, especially that she has 6 children to feed and dress up. Thanks for the response.
@Raine38 (12389)
• United States
30 Jul 12
I wonder where their father is?
I don't think I will be able to bring any kid in this world without securing that they will have a good future with me, or even have decent meals and decent education at the very least. I wouldn't be here forever, and if ever I am that mother and I happen to perish the following day, my soul will never be laid to rest knowing I left my kids with nothing, all 6 of them.
