Every week in our updates we will give you a little history of one of the children at the home. This weeks child is Kevin Jorge Campano.
Kevin Jorge Campano "Nonoy"
On April 5, 2002 we received a visit from a woman who had a letter from the Department of Social Welfare and Development" (DSWD) asking us if we would take her three grandchildren; Catherine, Kevin-Jorge and Theresita. She informed us that she had just brought her grandchildren to DSWD but DSWD had referred her to us.
Kevin-Jorge had not seen his parents for many years. His mother left him and his siblings for another man. Shortly thereafter his father left them with their grandmother with the promise that he would return for them once he had found a stable job. Kevin-Jorge's father never returned.
Kevin-Jorge's grandmother worked in the market selling vegetables from four in the morning up until ten in the evening. Since she only made 100 pesos ($2.00) a day she could not afford a baby sitter for her grandchildren. Everyday from 4am up until 10pm Kevin-Jorge would roam around the market. (The market where Kevin-Jorge's grandmother worked is located in Pag-asa. Pag-asa is a part of Olongapo City which is notorious for drug pushers and addicts.) At a very young age Kevin Jorge was introduced to the world of street children. He learned to beg, pickpocket and sniff glue.
Kevin-Jorge was used by the drug pushers as their "runner". Since Kevin-Jorge was so young and small the police would not very likely suspect him. So around the "Pag-asa" area Kevin-Jorge became known as their "runner." By the way Pag-asa means hope!
Kevin-Jorge's grandmother was having a difficult time with her grandchildren and did not have time to care for them. On April 6, 2002 Kevin-Jorge was taken into Subic Bay Children's Home. Kevin was malnourished and had a large stomach due to parasites. He was de-wormed and taken to the hospital for medical attention. Kevin is now very healthy and striving. He is learning to sing and loves to recite bible verses.
Personal Note: During my visit to the children's home I was under a mango tree when mangos started hitting the ground. I asked the kids why are they falling. They told me Kevin-Jorge is in the tree. I looked up but didn't see him. The kids told me "No, up higher." I looked higher and there was Kevin-Jorge smiling and throwing mangos to the ground from way up in the tree.
I was able to sing in the choir with the kids sometimes. Kevin stood beside me and we put our arms around each other while we sang. I love this boy but be sure he is a handful. I call him King George.
