No Safe Shelter
In the slums and rural areas of the Philippines, many children grow up in fragile homes made of discarded materials—wooden boards, rusty tin sheets, or tarps. These shelters offer no insulation, no running water, and often leak during the heavy monsoon rains. For children like Araw, every storm is a night of fear, cold, and uncertainty.
School Is a Luxury
While education is technically free, millions of children can’t afford uniforms, books, or transportation. Many must drop out to help their families survive. For a child in poverty, going to school can mean walking for hours on an empty stomach, only to return home to more chores or work. Education becomes a dream that’s just out of reach.
Malnutrition Struggles
Hunger is a daily reality. Around 33% of children under five in the Philippines suffer from stunting due to chronic malnutrition. This affects their ability to grow, learn, and fight off diseases. Often, a child may eat just one basic meal per day—usually rice with salt or broth. Proper nutrition is a privilege many never experience.
Working From an Early Age
Childhood is short when survival is urgent. Many kids as young as six begin working—selling goods on the street, scavenging garbage, or helping in the fields. These children often face exploitation, exhaustion, and injury. Instead of playing or learning, their daily life revolves around adult responsibilities no child should bear.
