Girl kills herself because of poverty

An 11-year old girl hangs herself because of poverty.

My world stopped after reading these words. I was supposed to buy my peppermint mocha frappe this morning and blog about some personal realizations but because of the gravity and the urgency of the news, I just have to give priority to expressing my sentiments about it.
Who among us who strut in heels of varying colors and styles--depending on the outfit, would ever think of killing themselves if they happen to be poor?

For one, I won't--not even in my wildest daydreams. But I can say this in the perspective of someone from the outside who's looking in. I may be acquainted a lot with the poor because of my passion and my job, but still, it's different if I were the one who is on the receiving end of charities.

For better understanding, let me revive the experience of being broke because, being lucky enough to earn above the $1 poverty line and at the same time, have access to basic needs and welfare, it's my closest experience of poverty.

And so I have been broke. With much honesty, the situation felt like I was living in abject poverty; deprived of daily Starbucks coffee breaks, having to lessen waxing, threading and pedicure appointments and fighting the urge of buying another pair of shoe. But still, I continued to have lunch outs and hop from one cab to another while I made my sales calls in Makati. That's so much poverty, huh?

Of course, I was being sarcastic in my last remark. Can you ever imagine yourself earning less than a dollar a day (P43 or P50, the effect is just the same) while you have to feed 5 or more mouths? Besides, you have to earn that dollar in the most uncomfortable way: no airconditioned room, no fast computer, no way for you to mix corporate with chic--you have to put your life and health at risk without any social security policy. (Yeah, coz you work for an informal sector and you can't expect benefits when you're being paid below the minimum wage.)

Anyway, we may continue to remain indifferent in our comfort zones thinking that Filipinos will soon be out of misery because of GMA's proud reports. But hey, while you may be convinced because of the mushrooming call centers and the call center agents who earn more than a bank teller or a public school teacher earns, why don't you pay attention to the streets while you drive around Metro Manila? You see, I'm proud of GMA for having made those achievements but as Former Planning Secretary Ciel Habito says, our growth may be narrow, hollow and shallow.

The act of suicide must have moved one official to say that it is an "isolated case" but I believe that this must not be taken for granted because of such comment coming from a simple and superficial intellect. The news must serve as a wake-up call for our government and for those who remain to be indifferent and unmoved.

Further readings:
Girl's suicide linked to Philippine poverty
Philippines orders inquiry into poverty suicide
Growth seen as narrow, hollow and shallow