Orphan’s Wish, by Romel Rubio

The School in a Cart is grateful for your donation, Tim and Johanna! Alfredo Olavidez and Nonie Samonte, the volunteers who run the school, have been busy upgrading the cart to accommodate more children, and more children means providing more lunches and learning tools.

Romel Rubio is the son of Juanito Estrella and Marites Rubio. He carries the surname of his mother because his father was stabbed to death in a street fight a few months before he was born. His mother, Marites, was unable to care for Romel when he was born and had to leave him with her parents in Butuan City in the south.

When Romel turned six, Marites took custody of him and enrolled him in school in Quezon City. She still has to work for their living so Romel is entrusted under the care of her sister, Marilyn, who with her family of five, live on a street corner on 20th Avenue.

Aunt Marilyn is a volunteer at The School in a Cart, which Romel attends after his regular schooling and throughout holidays. Romel is now ten years old and will be entering Grade 4 come the opening of the school year 2012-13 in June. One of his desires is to have a house where he and his mother can reside. He appreciates everything she has done for him.

Orphan’s Wish, by Romel Rubio (Translated from Tagalog or Filipino)

Lord, give us a house so we could leave the street sidewalk.
Mama is our sole bread winner, Papa is gone for eternity.
Mama is raising me single-handed.
Lord, thank you for what you have given us.