Mhay-Mhay

Mhay-Mhay is the youngest girl in her family of six. Two years ago, when she was ten years old, her father abandoned the family, and Mhay-Mhay was forced to stop her schooling. She began to sell sampaguita in the streets to help the family have food to eat. Soon after, she practically lived in the streets and began actively engaging in smoking and rugby sniffing, just like so many other street children. In a matter of time, her mother fell ill and died of tuberculosis. Mhay-Mhay was then brought to a temporary shelter. Last month, she visited her home, but only to find out the sad news that her two older sisters whom she used to turn to for emotional support, were now nowhere to be found. She misses her mother and her sisters very much.

In a recent role play session in therapy, Mhay-Mhay chose the role of the "bunso" in the family. While the other kids gathered around an ailing mother, she kept to a corner and pretended to play a piano. She did this all throughout the role play, never uttering a word but just quietly playing the imaginary piano. Later on, she explained that she purposely chose this action because when her mother was alive, she had wanted so badly to give joy to her mother through music, hoping to ease her mother's pain and take her mind away from her illness. "Para po malibang yung Nanay ko, tumutugtog po ako." As she said this, tears streamed down her cheeks.

Oh Mhay-Mhay, what a genuinely caring heart you have within you! Despite all the bleakness and roughness you were exposed to in your young life, you wanted so badly to make your mother happy. You knew how to give her love,and you tried to give it to her in a special way when she was very sick.

Imagine what this girl could potentially be in the future, if the goodness in this heart of hers is nourished within a caring environment. If only all the children in the streets could be given a chance to live within an environment that respects their right and need to be loved and looked after. How much good can surely spring forth from within them!