With just one tearful question a Filipino girl left Pope Francis and the rest of the world speechless.
'Why does God allow this to happen? Children are not to blame. Why are we helped only by a few people?â?
Pope Francis didn't know what to say. In fact, the best answer he could give was this one, a hug.
Unfortunately, a lot of children in the Philippines suffer all that Glyzelle had gone through. Pope Francis had the chance of meeting some of them as he visited in Manila one center of ANAK-Tnk platform, the NGO that rescued Glyzelle from living in the streets.
Founded in 1998 by a Jesuit, this organization takes care of abandoned children. They are forced to live by themselves, without parents nor home, and sleep in the street. Most of them are usually lured into prostitution and drugs.
Nobody wants them, and they don't know their parents. Corruption in the Philippines makes it hard to apply the anti-prostitution laws that should protect them. According to the NGO, roughly 60,000 children in the Philippines suffer sexual exploitation.
ANAK-Tnk rescues them and makes sure they have a second chance. With more than 12 centers in Manila, they give shelter and care to 220 children. They also have special programs directed to those who suffer of malnutrition, have some disability and those who are used to live among rubbish in Manila.
Three people out of 10 in the Philippines live with less than $2 a day. Approximately half of them are less than 15 year old.
For more info, ANAK-Tnk
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ANAK-Tnk
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Up: MPI
