Former streetchildren get hug, rosaries from Pope at UST 

(Updated 11:06 a.m.) In tears, a former street child recounted before Pope Francis her life of poverty, living under a bridge before she was taken in by a non-government organization.

 

Glyzelle Palomar broke down in tears while telling her story at an encounter between the Pope and the youth at the University of Santo Tomas.

 

She was one of the children taken in by the Tulay ng Kabataan Foundation.

Another former street kid, Jun Chura, aslo recounted to Pope Francis his experience of living life in poverty. 

Chura even narrated that some of his fellow street children fooled into lives of crime or abuse.
 

The two gave the Pope a small baller or wristband as a gift.

 

In return, the Pope gave Palomar and Chura hug and a rosary.  

^{GMA News}

Children's suffering

"Why does God allow children to be victims of drug addiction and prostitution?"

This was the question asked by a former street child to Pope Francis during his encounter with the youth on Saturday morning at the University of Santo Tomas.

The 12-year-old  Glyzelle broke down in tears before the pope while telling her experience as a child while living in the streets.

“Maraming bata ang pinabayaan ng kanilang mga maagulang. Maraming bata [ang nakaranas] ng masama tulad ng droga at prostitusyon. Bakit po pumapayag ang Diyos na may ganitong nangyayari sa amin?” Palomar said, her voice breaking.

In between sobs, the girl finished her question: “… kahit walang kasalanan ang mga bata?”

Overcome by emotion, Palomar was unable to finish reading her prepared statement.

Organizers had to console her before walking up to the pope, who gave her and another former street kid, Jun Chura, tight hugs.

The two children, who are under the care of non-government organization Tulay ng Kabataan Foundation, gave the Pope a small baller or wristband as a gift.

Prior to Palomar’s statement, 13-year-old Chura recounted the difficulty of living on the streets after he left the family home.

“Hindi ko alam kung saan ako tutuloy. Natutulog ako sa tabing kalye at ginagawa ang karton bilang sapinan,” he said. “Di ko alam kung anong kakainin ko sa bawat araw. Naghihintay na lang akong matapos ang ibang kumain at hihingin ko ang kanilang pagkain.”

Chura said he found hope after being taken in by Tulay ng Kabataan.

“Totoo pala na may handang tumulong sa mga batang lansangan. Sinabi ko sa aking sarili na magtatapos ako ng pag-aaral,” he said.

Several thousands of youth from various groups across the country trooped to UST for the morning encounter with the Pope. — Joel Locsin with a report from Xianne Arcangel/RSJ/LBG, GMA News