One of
my favorite TV programs back in the Philippines was Charlie's Angels.
Charlie was an invisible character in the TV series but Alveiro, the
character I am about to relate is a real angel.
I "met"
him when one night, as I was surfing channels, I chanced upon an interesting
documentary that showed children struggling to carry plastic buckets
along a very narrow stairway in a poor shanty-town. The story revolved
around a young, eight-year-old boy from Colombia named Alveiro. With
a group of his children around his community, including some of his
siblings, Alveiro, calling themselves "guardian angels for the
old people" brought buckets of food to the abandoned and elderly,
many of those too ill to fend for themselves.
Alveiro, like
many children in their town, was born poor and malnourished himself.
He lives in a very small and ramshackle dwelling with his parents,
siblings and other relatives. His father is a part-time bricklayer,
and his mother stays at home to tend to his younger brothers and sisters.
His Mom tells the cameraman that they cannot afford to send Alveiro
to school. But that did not hinder the remarkable Alveiro to help
the poorest of the poor.
One time his mother
relates, Alveiro saw their old neighbor complaining about being hungry.
Alveiro entered the dilapidated shack and immediately comforted her.
That evening, Alveiro secretly took some of their limited food at
home. He took his portions and went back to the hut of the old lady.
He sacrificed his own food for the old lady even though that would
mean he'll go hungry for the night. That very night proved that Alveiro
was a special boy. The old lady, who was abandoned by her family,
felt loved again.
The remarkable
work of Alveiro did not stop just one night. Although he cannot go
to school due to their own poverty, he found something to do every
early morning. He goes to town, a plastic bag on hand, and ask some
people for food and spare change. He would tell them that the money
would be spent for his "old people". He would enter different
stores and ask the owner for scrap food and vegetables. He would ask
a bakery for bread. They comply and give them whatever Alveiro would
ask. They were all amazed because he was not begging for himself and
his family, but was asking for help for the sake of the old people.
Alveiro would come back to their hillside community with the heavy
plastic bag full of food, bread and vegetables.
Alveiro was able
to talk to many of his young friends, who were also unable to go to
school, to join him and help him feed the numerous old people of their
town. These children became the "Guardian Angels for the old
people of Colombia". Alveiro and his friends were able to delegate
responsibilities to other kids so that they can visit more elderly
people at the same time. They all would cook the food and then put
it in their plastic containers. They would then visit the lonely and
sickly elderly one by one. Alveiro would knock and greet them with
a smile and a heart full of love and compassion. He hugs and kisses
them like his own grandparents.
I was so touched
when I saw Alveiro comforting a frail old lady. He would brush her
hair and feed her lovingly. Sometimes they would bring her outside
the hot and humid shack for a bath. The other children would fetch
pails of water going up the hill as Alveiro and the others would rinse
and soap the old lady. The old lady was paralytic, weak, naked, sickly,
helpless, and had been alone and abandoned for more than 18 years.
I said to myself: " Why can't I have done what Alveiro had done?
Alveiro had done remarkable deeds at only eight years old! Here is
Alveiro, a poor kid himself, doing the things a wealthy person should
do."
Truly, Alveiro
did it out of love. His family, friends, and his old people loved
him back. Afterwards, he would joke with the old lady and tell her
that she's beautiful, and that she'll attract a lot of men. Later,
Alveiro would leave with a smile knowing that the old lady was fed
and taken care of. The old lady would say " Thank you-May God
be always with you Alveiro."
Sometimes Alveiro
would also help the elderly who were about to be evicted from their
rented land. Most of them are squatters on the rented and eroded hillside
of this particular town. Alveiro, who saved the money that some people
donated to him, helped willingly pay for the debts of the old people.
He would sometimes accompany them to the city hall and act as their
representative and sponsor. With his help, he was able to save a lot
of them from certain eviction and homelessness. That is why Alveiro
also dreamed of building a home for the old people so that he can
serve them better, and prevent homelessness for the elderly.
Some French people,
who knew Alveiro's remarkable work, was so impressed with the "guardian
angels" that they in turn donated a sum of money to fulfill his
dream. It was not enough to build the home, but Alveiro was grateful
and he put it in a saving account.
The government
of Colombia took notice of Alveiro and his guardian angels. Even the
First Lady was impressed. The wife of the president promised them
the land and funding for Alveiro's Home for the Old People. Sadly,
after a year, they disappointed Alveiro with a broken promise because
of politics, corruption, and unending bureaucracy.
Although disappointed
with the government, Alveiro was unfazed, but determined to continue
his work for the old people. He used the interest earned by the savings
account for the upkeep and food supply of his beloved elderly. Still,
Alveiro was unable to go back to school because he did not use the
money for himself but used it for the needs of the old people he serves.
Soon more of their
neighbors noticed the charity, love, sacrifice, and hard work sown
by Alveiro and the guardian angels. They were all inspired by the
love of this little poor boy. The community pitched in with more food
and the others gave money for the guardian angels' fund. Alveiro,
now nine years old, was so happy that his own little house became
a gathering place for the old people. He continued to recruit young
boys and girls to join the guardian angels. These young children became
committed to help the elderly because of Alveiro's passion and humble
example.
Alveiro continued
to feed and bathe the sickly and hungry. He also encouraged the able
elderly to join him every Sunday for a community dance at their small
plaza. A lot of paralytic elderly people were inspired to stand up,
walk, and join him in dancing. They even had time to play a game of
Soccer especially to those who can still kick and run. All of them
were having a good time. Everybody was smiling, jumping, dancing,
and laughing.
Alveiro also taught
them how to write and to count, as many of the elderly were illiterate.
He does this because he believes that old people are not worthless.
And as for those who passed away, Alveiro gave them a decent and dignified
burial with the help of the guardian angels' fund he instituted. He
would then visit them regularly at their local cemetery. Thereafter,
he would offer a silent prayer and a bouquet of flowers at their humble
tomb.
All of the old
people who were interviewed say that Alveiro has been a blessing to
them. Before they met Alveiro, they were all in desolation. Alveiro
brought them hope, joy, and Christ-like love. He clothed, fed, bathed
and took care of them like his real grandparents.
My tears fell when I saw them pray the rosary, asking God to bless
Alveiro and his legion of "guardian angels." They were all
thanking God for the angels who showed them what their own families
could not do for them. I felt so humbled by the fact that they truly
appreciate and love their little Alveiro. Tears fell from their wrinkled
face as they pray for Alveiro and his guardian angels. These were
tears that reflect not of pain but of sheer joy, and the feeling of
being loved unconditionally.
A year has passed,
and the humble Alveiro was finally able to go back to school because
of the generosity of other people who were inspired by his wonderful
works. After school, he would continue to serve the elderly. He untiringly
leads his legion of "angels" with the feeding and comforting
of their beloved elders. He wanted to pursue his second dream. He
wanted to become a lawyer or doctor so that he can help more old people
not only in his town but also throughout Colombia. Truly, Alveiro's
passion and heart is a life of service for the old people and his
countrymen.
Ten years later,
the cameramen and crew came back to look for Alveiro and his guardian
angels. They found this young twenty year old mingling with his old
people. To their surprise, the home for the aged became a reality.
More and more people contributed to help build the home. The home
currently shelter more than 140 aged men and women who were either
abandoned by their families or living in desperate poverty. Alveiro
is now a "father-figure" to the young "guardian-angels."
He instills in them the importance of dignity, respect, and love for
their elders. In return, Alveiro pays for the education of every child
who serves with the guardian angels. He dissuades them from using
drugs or to quit their education. He encourages them to study hard
for their future, and to make sacrifices for the people they love
and serve.
Alveiro is currently
pursuing his studies to be a doctor or lawyer. He is still leading
the guardian angels in their servitude for the old people of Colombia.
He is still going strong not for fame or riches, but for love of neighbor.
I can say that
I have seen a living saint while watching the extraordinary works
of Alveiro. I truly salute him. I am humbled by the fact that he is
blessed by God because of all the goodness he has done. I pray for
him that he'll succeed in all his great endeavors. I am thankful to
God that He brought to earth an Angel like Alveiro.
Please offer a
prayer to Alveiro and his "guardian angels for the old people
of Colombia." Let us pray to all the men and women who gave their
lives in serving others. They are all angels sent by God to be our
beacon of hope and love.
