Fatima’s Story
It is our delight to introduce to you this new section in Misyon – Our Hideaway. A venue for the youth to express themselves and to share with our readers their mind, their heart and their soul.
By Fatima de Castro
Fatima comes to the Mission Office in Manila to do volunteer work. She is the eldest of five siblings. Her father is a seafarer and her mother a housewife.
I’m Ma. Fatima de Castro, a Fourth Year college student at St Paul University, Manila. We have a way of life that’s austere and humble. Let me begin my story involvinga friend named Mike. He used to go to this place overlooking Teresa, Rizal, four hours from Manila. There he met an old lady he calls ‘Nanay’ who sellscoffee, snacks and cigarettes to passersby, especially truck drivers who deliver vegetables and meatdowntown. She lives in a small crowded spot beside the highway. She never has a long sleep because she’s watching out for customers that might come and buy.
I went to this place with Mike to relax, enjoy the view of the sunset and of Laguna de Bay and also meet Nanay. The first time I saw her, I felt sad and pitied her because she was on her own. Her husband is always drunk and she can’t depend on him. They have no electricity so theydepend only on a lamp. No gas stove, just a grill. Mike gave her a cellphone with a load so that the three of us could keep in touch.
On Thursday7 March Mike told me that Nanay was sick and had no one to take care of her so we decided to gothere despite the lateness of the hour and our lack of money. I had enough in my wallet for the gasoline for the roundtrip on Mike’s scooter. Before taking a jeepney to where I was to meet him I put the fare in my hand so that I wouldn’t have to take my wallet out of my bag.
When we reachedAntipolo, my bag felt lighter, which contained, among other things, a shirt and some noodles for Nanay. I checked to see if my wallet was there. I couldn’t find it. So we stopped at a gasoline station so that I could check my bag thoroughly.The wallet wasn’t there. I called my dorm mate to check if it was in the dorm. She foundit on the floor. I had left behind the most important thing for our trip!
Good that Mike had his emergency money, good for the two to three full tanks of gasoline needed for the trip back and forth.We then noticed that we had a flat tire. A gasoline attendant directed us to a vulcanizing shop, which was about to close. But we begged the man there to help us, and he did.
We continued our trip but after 30 minutes we heard an abnormal sound in the engine, so we stopped to check. A ring had broken and had tobe changed. While Mike wasrepairing the engine, I texted FrHector Suano, the Operations Administrator of the Columban Mission Office,about our situation and asked for guidance. It was so overwhelming and inspiring that someone was supporting and praying for us. It strengthened our will to continue despite our troubles.
As we continued our journeythe belt suddenly cut off! Mike had a spare onebut it wasn’t very strong.Again, we stopped, repaired continue’. ‘Oh no you don’t!You can’t stop us!’ we said as we felt that something was trying to stop us from going to Nanay’s place. We were almost there when suddenly it rained. Heavy rain welcomed us as we arrived.
I ran directly to Nanay, not minding her drunken husband sleeping outside. She was surprised for she thought we would come some other time. I massaged her back, head and nape. I cooked noodles for her so she could release the heat inside her due to fever. After an hour, I could see Nanay smiling again and thanking me, saying that she felt better and that the pains were gone. It was so challenging and so tiring but after seeing those happy eyes of Nanay I felt it was all worth it.
I like to help as many people as I can. You don’t have to be wealthy to help others. If there’s a will, there will always be a way. Action speaks more loudly than words. If you really want to help, don’t just make your brain work. DO IT!