The Hope of Continuing Altruism

Since the discovery in 1976 by Andrew Hill in Laetoli, Tanzania, of two sets of human-like footprints made about 3.5 million years ago, the history of humankind is indelibly etched as a social animal not any different as other inhabitants of the earth, except that we humans possess not only a superb intelligence over others but also a conscience.

Regardless of being at first a forager-gatherer, roaming from one place to another to search for food; then as a settler-farmer planting crops or herding domesticated animals; humans grouped together for protection and in the process help themselves to survive. For certain, living within this context of individuals with different characteristics and distinct personalities, there will be differences. The strong will almost always emerged as the winner…the weak the loser. In the midst of these groupings of humankind, there are those who are neither strong nor weak but individuals who care. And to these unique altruistic individuals, it is not unlikely that perhaps we modern humans owe them our existence and became what we are…lording over the dominions of the sea, the earth and the sky. Some of these individuals tinker with the whys, the hows, the wherefores of our human existence. Others thought of moral codes as a guide for us to treat each other well and to lead us in a belief of some sorts. First as pagan-idol worshipers, then a faith of the existence of a Supreme Being and the immortality of the soul. Still others did not bother to tinker with the reasons, but simply carried out the dictates of their hearts, that is of being humane.

In a town some 50 kilometers south of Cebu City, there is a group of children abandoned either intentionally or unintentionally by their parents and taken cared of by Our Lady of Divine Grace Orphanage, an institution founded by Lisbeth Bacaltos Corpuz. She has poured her time and resources to make this a success and, as with any undertaking of this kind, nothing will ever be enough. But then how can one value the hint of a smile from an abused child? Or the hesitating words of “salamat, mam” from a 12-year-old girl with tears streaming on her already tear stained cheeks…not tears of sadness but of extreme happiness that finally she is safe and far away from the clutches of her own sexually abusive relation.

Lisbeth had all her plans laid out about three years ago: the site of the buildings, even the paint colors and meticulous to the last details as she is. For now, it is far from completion but progress is getting along…one step at a time. Some buildings have been built. The staff, unmindful of the long hours, has kept on caring for the children who are forsaken by their parents, but never by God.

God’s children! How many times do I come across these words, spoken and written? And yet after more than 2,000 years, Christians have to live up to be really called Christians, the Jews to be Jews; and Moslems to be Moslems. For aren’t all religion speaking of peace and goodwill to humankind? History as the final judge of our deeds is strewn with conflict, atrocities against fellow humans in the name of one’s God. Is the Christian God different from the Jewish God or Allah, the Moslem’s God? And who suffer the most? The children…God’s children.

Lisbeth with the help of her brother Mayor Lionel Bacaltos, as well as their other siblings, have center their sights in helping these children and the tasks is daunting, not only in expense but more on physical caring and fulfilling the work as caretakers of the next generations. It is one small step and regardless of the future outcome of these young lives, there is hope.The hope of continuing altruism, the concern for fellowmen, the caring of  downtrodden children in their own lifetime.