It is generally accepted that economic, political and social life crises create high risk situations,
particularly among underprivileged and disadvantaged social groups. Children, as members of
such groups, undergo the consequences of these situations by becoming victims as well as
victimisers, while living and/or working in the streets.
There is increasing interest among national and international agencies and social scientists to
detect the factors creating high risk situations for the social and psychological development of
these children. It seems that a variety of situational factors are responsible for the appearance of
what has been called the Street child population; they could be summarised in three broad areas:
1. Families that maltreat their children and/or exploit them.
2. Socially and economically disadvantaged families, neighbourhoods and societies
marked by unemployment, poverty, crime and violence.
3. Children who live in war zones.
The general consensus appears to be that the local government do not do enough either to help street children in a practical supportive way or to confront the causes that lead to children turning to the street. The problem is seen as the responsibility of the individual and people between the ages of 16 and 18 are not entitled to income support or housing. As a result it is left to private and voluntary organisations to take initiatives to support street children, and where the state has set up hostels they have been left to voluntary
organisations to run and maintain.
In many cases great responsibility is given to private and voluntary organisations such as this program.
A popular restaurant here comes alive every December of the year with the laughter of little children when Jollibee mascot entertains a party for street kids and underprivilege children from selected barangay of Gensan City and underlying municipalities of South Cotabato and Sarangani.
"Charity transcends all barriers, and a day of giving, to my mind, is the best way to keep the little minds happy. I think this is something that each one of us should do... give back to society what we have received from it," according to a spokesperson of the Torijos family.
Every December the Torijos Family Clan in partnership with Kalimudan Culture & Arts Center together with artists friends join to give special treat to these poor children with gifts of school supplies, toys, slippers, balloons and Jollibee food treat. Artists help in the entertainment, storytelling and fun games.
the Fun Games
Ruth Cartojano giving Biblical stories
The Torijos Family Clan in the foreground, the main sponsor
The giving of Slippers became a trademark because of one event that some of the participants were barefooted that made the facilitators teary-eyed.
Ali, local artist, Alma Aguja, Kalimudan Executive Director & Cecile, NGO partner
Kalimudan & Artists Friends, Ali, Cecile & Tonette, a kalimudan pioneer
