The Molave Youth Center is located at the back of the Quezon City Hall. I went there yesterday to drop off old clothes and toys that I had collected during the holiday. I was informed that since the residents are youths aged 17 years old and below, they have no need for the toys.

The youth center is presently “home” to about 80 juveniles with pending cases. From this number, about eight are young women, and the rest are boys and young men. The “kuya” or house parent who accommodated me yesterday said the cases range from petty theft to robbery to murder. Some are first-time offenders. Others are there for the second time (maybe more). There was a small boy who caught my eye who turned out to be only 13 years old. I learned from the house parent that it’s his second time to be back in the center. The reason: petty thievery.

In all my years that I’ve been a volunteer, yesterday was my first time to see young men and women, and children in jail. (Oh I’ve been to the Manila Reception Action Center a couple of times. It’s a large compound situated very near the Central Station of the LRT. However the detention center, also located within the compound, was off-limits to non social workers like myself.)

As I was talking to the “kuya,” I noted that the boys actually have their own cells, which are their living quarters! After their merienda break (such as what I witnessed yesterday), they have to go back to their respective ‘rooms.’ I thought I’d only see those on television. Apparently, it’s TV that copies reality.

Lest readers get the wrong impression, the living quarters are clean and well ventilated. The boys are not cramped, and they look like they have ample space for moving around. The “kuya” assured me that they have a schedule throughout the week. In fact, the young residents have classes Monday to Friday, just like other youths their age. They also have sports activities, and those with families get to see their “nanay” or “tatay” during weekends.

I think it’s only fitting that the youth center is named after Molave, a small to large tree that can reach a height of 120 feet. Most finished products of the Molave tree are valued because of their durability. Similarly, I believe anybody who works at the youth center have to be firm because of the spiritedness of their young wards. The streets have hardened these children. Even with guidance from well-meaning social workers and house parents, there’s always the risk that some of them will go back to their old ways. To keep them in the straight and narrow, there’s no other recourse but to give them tough – durable - love.

[Except for toys, the Molave Youth Center accepts all kinds of donations. If you need something more specific, Kuya Joel, the house parent, informed me they need toiletries such as shampoo, soap, toothpaste, and the like.

They also accept old books, especially reference books, since the center has a small library.

If you have magazines and directories that you want to get rid off, you can bring them to the Molave Youth Center. The skillful hands of the residents will turn them into vases, boxes, and other useful items for selling.]

I often repeat this line to myself whenever I put together things to be given away. Almost each year, I go through my cabinets and drawers, looking for things I don’t need anymore. Yesterday, New Year’s eve, I also went through old things in the bodega (warehouse) at the back of the house. I didn’t realize we’ve “amassed” quite a number of old clothes, shoes, toys, books, and old magazines until I segregated them to make it easier for me to decide which will go where.

For the books and magazines, I’ve decided that they will go to a library in some elementary school. The Ahon Foundation could help me on that.

The toys will be distributed next weekend to a detention center for boys at the back of the Quezon City Hall. Yes, you read correctly, it’s a detention center for boys who committed crimes (e.g. murder), but have not yet or could not be convicted because, well, they’re boys! They’re minors! Why give toys to underage offenders, some might wonder. To begin with, they probably wouldn’t kill or steal or lie if they experienced a happy childhood in the first place. (Let’s rest this for another blog entry.)

Regarding the old clothes, I brought many of them to a religious sister who I met in the compound of the Divine Word Seminary (along E. Rodriguez Avenue in Quezon City). Actually, she didn’t ask for them. I met her last Sunday when I heard mass, and I befriended her. During our conversation, she told me their convent/ congregation is located in Antipolo, Rizal. “Nasa bundok,” was how she described it.

I can’t drive that far, I told her. (Actually, I don’t want to drive that far.) She readily agreed to bring a vehicle today, and that’s how I was able to dispose not just clothes, but sundry items that collected through the years. This convent supports three unwed mothers, one of who gave birth last 24th of December. The other mom-to-be will give birth in February. Sister also told me they support displaced members of the Manobo tribe. They also take care of children!

One of them is Angela, a happy and pretty girl of seven years old. She was with sister last Sunday, and she was with them again this morning. Sister told me that Angela doesn’t have a mother. Her grandmother left her in the care of the sisters when she was all of two months old. You should see Angela! She’s energetic and optimistic, and she wears a toothless grin! Hehe. Meaning, the baby teeth have been knocked out, and the permanent teeth should set in soon.

Angela readily dug into the boxes and plastic bags I left in their van. “Look a toothbrush,” she exclaimed. “What a pretty belt,” she said while holding a skinny gold belt that looks faded to me, but shines like the sun to her. And on she went until one of the sisters berated her for digging in too soon. I didn’t mind the fuss; I should’ve taken photos of Angela’s bright face as she pulled each surprise from the bags.

We, in Multiply, are very lucky many times over. We have jobs, hobbies, and pursuits that cost a lot. We also have supportive families and friends whom we can readily run to for help. While it’s kind of hard to part with things we don’t need, much less hard to dissuade ourselves from buying the next must-have gadget or blouse or pair of shoes, at least think how happy you can make someone who needs them more. Never mind if they’re used or “butas” or “kupas” or “di na uso.”

One man’s junk is another man’s treasure.