Charlie Bangngayen was born into poverty in the province of Abra in the Philippines. When he was just eight years old, he had to start working as a honey harvester to help support his family. He would often climb trees and risk being stung by bees to collect honey, which he would then sell to earn money for school.
Charlie's work was physically demanding and often dangerous. He would often get stung by bees, and he once fell out of a tree and broke his arm. But Charlie never gave up. He knew that education was the key to a better future for himself and his family.
In 2014, Charlie's life changed forever when he was featured in an I-Witness documentary about child labor in Abra. The documentary was filmed by Kara David, a well-known TV journalist and host of Project Malasakit, a foundation that provides educational assistance to children from disadvantaged families.
David was impressed by Charlie's determination and his desire to get an education. She offered him a scholarship from Project Malasakit, which would allow him to finish high school and college. Charlie gratefully accepted the offer, and he went on to graduate from college with honors.
After college, Charlie decided to pursue a career in law enforcement. He passed the PNP entrance exam and was recently commissioned as a police officer. Charlie is now a proud member of the PNP, and he is committed to serving his community. He hopes to use his position to help other children who are struggling to escape poverty.
Charlie's story is an inspiration to many. He has shown that it is possible to overcome poverty and achieve your dreams, even if you start out with very little. He is a testament to the power of education and the importance of giving children from disadvantaged families a chance to succeed.
The Challenges of Child Labor
Charlie's story is a reminder of the challenges that many children face around the world. Child labor is a serious problem, and it robs children of their childhood and their right to education.
Children who work in hazardous conditions are at risk of injury, illness, and even death. They are also more likely to drop out of school and become trapped in a cycle of poverty.
Project Malasakit
Project Malasakit is a foundation that provides educational assistance to children from disadvantaged families. The foundation was founded by Kara David in 2007, and it has helped over 1,000 children get an education.
Project Malasakit provides scholarships, tuition assistance, and other support to help children from poor families stay in school. The foundation also works to raise awareness about the problem of child labor and to advocate for policies that will protect children's rights.
Charlie's Hopes and Dreams
Charlie is now a proud member of the PNP, and he is committed to serving his community. He hopes to use his position to help other children who are struggling to escape poverty.
"I want to help other children who are in the same situation that I was in," Charlie said. "I want to give them the opportunity to get an education and to have a better future."
Charlie's story is a reminder that we all have the power to make a difference in the world. If we work together, we can help to end child labor and give all children the opportunity to reach their full potential.
I hope you enjoyed Charlie's story. If you would like to learn more about Project Malasakit, you can visit their website at https://projectmalasakit.org/.
