Philippines Floods: What do you want to be when you grow up?

By Heidi B. Anicete

Sometimes, the simplest question brings out the most interesting answer—especially when this answer is not expected from the innocent mind of a child. Kids have the most uncomplicated replies. And it never fails to amaze me that despite their short wordings, their answers always speak of the truth.

During my field visit in Laguna province, the first kid I got a chance to talk to was an 11-year-old girl named Jean.

I first saw Jean sitting beside her mother while watching her two younger brothers take part in the activities inside the child-friendly space put up by Save the Children in Nereo R. Joaquin National High School.

When I asked her what she wants to be when she grows up, she told me that she wants to be an engineer. And unlike the other kids I have met before—who say that they want to pursue a certain profession in order to help others—Jean’s explanation about her choice was mainly personal.

“I want to build a sturdy house for my mother. If possible, I want to make her a house in another country, in a place where there will be no flooding, because I don’t want my family to get accustomed to the life of constantly seeking shelter in an evacuation center.”

Jean’s family is one of the numerous Filipino families who were displaced due to the flooding caused by the Southwest monsoon last August. For a month now, a classroom has served as a temporary home for Jean’s family—and this goes too for the several other families they had to share it with. I didn’t have a chance to see for myself what their room looks like; but based on how she described it, I had a strong feeling that it is not the most comfortable place to be, especially for a child like her.

“The place is so crowded. Currently, my family and I are staying in a room packed with 32 different families.”

It is ironic that despite the fact that they are living in a classroom, the place is not exactly conducive for studying. With hundreds of people constantly chatting at earshot, it didn’t come as a surprise to me when Jean said that doing her homework is a challenge she has to live with every single day. Any other kid could have given up under such circumstances; and personally, I admire Jean for not being any other kid.

Despite their predicament, Jean has managed to graciously keep up with schoolwork and—as her mother told me—maintain an excellent academic standing. With Jean’s potential, I know for a fact she deserves to stay in school—but not like this.