Provide primary health care for street children

Mary Ann enjoys being a young health advocate to street children, and helping to take care of their health in the simplest way she can.

The 17-year old has been a junior health worker (JHW) with Childhope Asia Philippines since 2009. Her tasks range from administering first-aid and treating wounds, to educating street children on the basics of proper hygiene and health care.

It’s no surprise that Mary Ann has a heart for street children, as she sees herself in them in more ways than one.  She used to be a child wandering around the streets of Luneta in Manila, begging and searching for ways to get by. Her parents earn meager incomes from being freelance photographers. Her siblings also used to scavenge plastic bottles and sell them to help feed the family.

STREET EDUCATION

“I was very curious and naughty then. I saw some of my friends and other children listening to a man who was teaching them lessons. I just joined them,” Mary Ann said.

Mary Ann soon realized that the man was a street educator, and that street educators would be part of her life for a long time. Soon, she found herself attending Childhope’s alternative learning sessions and participating in activities that challenged her and developed her skills. 

“I learned about child rights and responsibilities, and important things that I took for granted as a street child. I learned how to fix myself, practice proper hygiene, and work hard to finish my studies,” she said.

Mary Ann wants to help create a better future for her and her family, and she is working hard to reach her dreams.  She passed all her ALS examinations, and is now in grade 11 at Emilio Aguinaldo College. She maintains high grades as a beneficiary of Childhope’s educational assistance program.

SAVING LIVES

Mary Ann’s training as a junior health worker is something she is very proud of. As a JHW, her first priority is the health and well-being of street children.  She feels blessed to have helped many children in her small ways.

“I learned how to treat wounds through first-aid, use herbal medicines, dos and don’ts in resuscitations, and many more. It’s a way for me to pay it forward,” Mary Ann said.

“The children call me “doctor” or “teacher”. I admit, I do dream of being either in the future. But for now, I am proudly a junior health worker,” she added.

She never thought that the life skills she learned would be put to test. One of the biggest challenges she faced was helping treat a child with head injuries.

“I panicked at first. We were at a feeding program, and a child came up to me and he had a cut on his head and was bleeding. After realizing the situation, I asked the child to calm down and sit. I washed the wound and covered it the way we were taught as JHWs,” Mary Ann said.

“By God’s grace, we were able to help the child and refer him for appropriate treatment,” she added.

ADVOCATE FOR CHILD HEALTHCARE AND WELL-BEING

Mary Ann continues to pursue her dreams. For now, she is serious about finishing her studies and being active in advocating for child’s rights, health care and well-being. She believes that as a child leader, she should be responsible to, and accountable for, the street children she serves.

“We should always aspire to be role models for the street children. They look up to us. We are not perfect, but we should try to earn their respect by being responsible and disciplined youth,” Mary Ann said.

For Mary Ann, working with street children has taught her the importance of teaching and protecting children --- so they too, can be empowered and learn to give back by serving others in their small ways.

Links:

• Check out our website
• Search Childhope Asia Philippines