DO WE TRULY CARE FOR OUR LIVING ENVIRONMENT?

Few months ago, we joined the International Coastal Clean Up Drive (also an advocacy of the organization we work for), as residents of an island in the southernmost part of the Philippines.

It was a call not only due to the declarations proclaimed but the need to care and protect as mandated by the Encyclical Laudato Si by Pope Francis. While other groups might take it as a one-day activity, I believe it is a call for everyday practice to clean up our surroundings, not just the coast! It seems, our people has grown busy with gadgets that the natural and living things, living beings in particular are growing opaque, rather not seen or paid attention to, any longer. The world with its created things and its inhabitants needs time, attention and care if they are considered “sources of life” or what generates life.

In fact, we have gone blind as horses in touristic sites, with covered eyes but are commanded by bridle and bit, in case of today’s society, commanded by Wi-Fi and internet. Just so, we sip coffee in places where the internet is with full bar! Oblivious to smell the aroma of the drink and savor the goodness of such luxury tall glass.

With the numerous incidences of untoward and not the patterned atmospheric turn outs in our world, the world seemingly asked itself: are we still, okay?

In the manual for Child Friendly Spaces “Creating wholeness”, there are premeditated sessions to anchor and assist children in their situations of vulnerability. This little handbook has proven the quest for resiliency from among our people, among the citizens of the world. Indeed, it was a call, a strong alarm which led groups “to do something when we see something” in our sphere of work or in the neighborhood.

Hence, we have convened and invited children’s representatives, youth, the staff of the two existing NGOs in the place, government agencies and partners to work together in this clean up drive in the river of Barangay Busay, Isabela City, Basilan. The barangay captain was twice glad and grateful for the presence and participation of the group in this advocacy and care for creation.

May this be a beginning to the betterment and development of our earth and all that is in it.