REPOSTED, PARAPHRASED AND TRANSLATED FROM A THREAD IN FACEBOOK:

“I just wanna share my experience awhile ago. This happened inside a jeepney (a kind of public vehicle in the Philippines) . I sat beside the driver so that I could play my PSP (Patapon 3) easily. Minutes passed, the jeepney was already half full, and I noticed that the driver had been rubbing his tummy for some time now (the same gesture we do when we are hungry), but I didn’t mind that.

When the jeepney was already full and ready to go, the other passengers in the jeepney started handing out their fares. I noticed that the driver always muttered some thank you’s every time someone pays, and there were times he even thanked them twice or thrice.  After a  while, we got stuck in a traffic jam somewhere along the highway and I decided to strike a conversation with him. I haven’t paid my fare yet at that time.

Me: “Why did you thank all the people who have paid you?” 

Driver: “Because this money will save my child’s life.”

Me: “Why? Is your child sick?”

Driver: “Yes, son. He has Leukemia.”

I stayed silent after I heard that. I turned off the PSP and looked somewhere else because I didn’t know what to say nor how to react. I became more emotional when I saw a picture of his son and his family clipped on the side mirrors of his jeepney, and the mirror at the top. I know how to drive so I know that you always have to look in these three mirrors every second while you are driving. ALWAYS. Maybe, this is to remind him of his family at home. And then, I also realized why he kept on rubbing his tummy. He doesn’t mind if he gets hungry; as long as he can bring home enough money to save his child’s life.

At this point, I was already teary-eyed. I’m a guy so I was trying hard to fight it. I got money and handed him a 100 peso-bill (roughly 2 dollars)

As soon as I gave him the money he counted some coins for my change but I decided not to accept it.

Me: “No, I don’t want the change. It’s yours already.” (Average fare in a jeepney in the Philippines is 10 pesos to 20 pesos or less than a dollar)

I heard him thank me so many times.

What happened next was unbelievable. Maybe the other passengers heard of our conversation so they also started giving the driver their fares but the amazing thing is, they also did not ask for change! Some were giving 100 peso bills (2 dollars), 200 peso bills (5 dollars) and even 500 ones! (12 dollars) even if the real fare is only less than one dollar. 

I couldn’t help but smile.”

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The cost of living in the Philippines is relatively cheaper and lower compared to other countries. We are just a third-world-country and most of us here are living in poverty. An average jeepney or public vehicle driver can only get as high as 1000 pesos a day (22 dollars) and that’s just barely enough to cover one’s living expenses (food, electricity etc). Imagine how hard it is for the driver just so hell have enough money to save his child from Leukemia.

Personally, I got teary eyed after reading this story. While some of us are busy complaining that their allowance for school isn’t enough for them, or that they did not get an iPhone last Christmas, people like this driver are struggling already for their basic necessities in life. He’s thankful even just for a few coins. 

The next time I complain about my current allowance, I’ll think of this driver and just be thankful to God that He has already provided me with so much. 

“Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God. He is the ONE who goes with you. He will not leave nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6)

If it’s not too much to ask, may I ask for a moment of prayer and silence for the family of this driver, and for his child as well. God will provide. He always had. He always will.

God bless everyone! Help others in as much as you can.