Remember when...
November 01, 2001
Hope is not ready to die.
As our world seems to hurtle along in ever changing directions,
it is tempting to lose hope and take mental refuge in
fear or in despair. However, life continues on and
each one of us must make an effort; not only to
survive, but also to give a sense and direction to
our existence, by always widening our effort to that
which surrounds us. It is just this type of
inspiration which leads you, my dear friends and
benefactors, since you do not give up on yourselves;
but you continue your generous action in favour of
the street children and the shantytowns of Manila,
which you could very easily forget about. Your
fidelity is touching and
reinvigorating.
The children of Tulay ng Kabataan continue to struggle to find the stability that escapes them, and the search is not without difficulties, but their smiles remain, even if certain days are quite heavy. Since our last letter, some of the children have set out again back into the streets, but others have made progress or have been welcomed to our centers; one or another finds himself in prison, but others have successfully reached new stages in their development. It is thus that the boat sails, in spite of the violence of the storms or the calm of quiet waters.
The most beautiful lesson that these children teach us is that of abandonment and of trust. They live from day to day, without concern for the following day, even if sometimes the anguish overwhelms them. Receiving affection is undoubtedly one of the best remedies, as well as is the love which they give. Perhaps it is there that we find residing the crisis that we cross: the incapacity to receive and give what is simplest and most essential, to come to know the love which reveals the truth of things and of being. As we are approaching Christmas, it is good to remember that at the four corners of the world, including here in Manila, that children suffer without losing joy, always hoping for kind souls which will sympathize with them and like them. No, definitely not, hope is not ready to die… it is ready to flourish.
P. Jean François Thomas S.J – Director of the foundation
November 2001
The children of Tulay ng Kabataan continue to struggle to find the stability that escapes them, and the search is not without difficulties, but their smiles remain, even if certain days are quite heavy. Since our last letter, some of the children have set out again back into the streets, but others have made progress or have been welcomed to our centers; one or another finds himself in prison, but others have successfully reached new stages in their development. It is thus that the boat sails, in spite of the violence of the storms or the calm of quiet waters.
The most beautiful lesson that these children teach us is that of abandonment and of trust. They live from day to day, without concern for the following day, even if sometimes the anguish overwhelms them. Receiving affection is undoubtedly one of the best remedies, as well as is the love which they give. Perhaps it is there that we find residing the crisis that we cross: the incapacity to receive and give what is simplest and most essential, to come to know the love which reveals the truth of things and of being. As we are approaching Christmas, it is good to remember that at the four corners of the world, including here in Manila, that children suffer without losing joy, always hoping for kind souls which will sympathize with them and like them. No, definitely not, hope is not ready to die… it is ready to flourish.
P. Jean François Thomas S.J – Director of the foundation
November 2001
