10-Year-Old Boy Works Hard Despite Young Age to Escape Poverty
BARAS, RIZAL – A 10-year-old boy named Lorence Gonzales Ticay is working tirelessly to help his family and escape poverty.
Despite his young age, Lorence is already heavily involved in his family’s work, picking kangkong (water spinach) from Laguna Lake.
Every day, Lorence joins his parents in their small wooden boat, navigating through the lake to gather kangkong. The work is challenging, with Lorence having to endure the heat, cold, and insects.
Ticay often gets scratched by the plant’s sap and has to deal with the discomfort of being in the water for long periods.
Despite these difficulties, Lorence chooses to help his parents. He gives part of his earnings from picking kangkong to his mother to buy school supplies. His family earns about P200 a day from their work, which they need to support four children.
Lorence’s mother, Liezel, has clarified that she does not force him to work. The 10-year-old boy willingly helps because he doesn’t want his mother to struggle. He is deeply affected by his family’s situation and wants to contribute as much as he can.
“Ayaw kong nahihirapan po si Mama. Ang bigat po ng pakiramdam ko. Tinutulungan ko sina Mama. Kusa po akong sumasama para makatulong,” said Lorence.
The boy sold five bundles of kangkong for P100, using the money to buy rice and sardines, and saved P10 for his school supplies.
Lorence understands the importance of education and dreams of becoming a police officer one day. He hopes to escape the life of picking kangkong and achieve a better future. His family is working hard to improve their lives, and local assistance has been important in their journey.
“Paglaki ko po magiging pulis po ako. Hindi na ako magiging mangangangkong,” he added.
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