Generally speaking, they have no running water service or water well, no electricity, no sanitation to speak of, no septic tank, no TV……all water has to be carried in plastic buckets from the community well. Outside in the back of their home is an “outside Johnny,” just like what was used at one time in America.
Generally speaking the family is usually made up of the grandparents, the parents and four or five or even six or more kids. Consequently the family doesn't have much when we compare their lifestyle to our western standards. Nothing fancy for this family, only the bare essentials for their every day use. Unfortunately the kids of school age aren't able to attend public school since the family just doesn't have enough money for uniforms, shoes, books.
The family awakens each day to the sound of a nearby rooster crowing around 4:30 in the morning. If they are fortunate they'll have enough food for breakfast made up of left over rice and maybe a piece or two of dried fish - if they are lucky. The majority of all lower-income families here prefer dried fish to fresh meat because of higher cost plus it doesn't spoil easily and even a small piece can be paired with vegetables to make a good viand.
Yes its hard life compared to others. Shortly after breakfast the husband leaves to look for scrap material along the road for any thing that might be sold to a junk dealer; copper wire, old door knobs, discarded plastic bottles, scrap metal, even used carpenter's nails - the list goes on and on. Nothing goes to waste!
And if there is enough household money left the mother and oldest daughter will sell barbecue chicken or pork cooked on an open grill along the road side. The family is determined do almost anything to supplement the family's extremely small income. Sometime later around 7 or 8 am, after all the household chores are done the older kids, whose ages range from seven and upward, start their day by rummaging around along the edges of the nearby road where neighbors and strangers alike have dumped their garbage. The kids will hunt from side to side of the road for dumped garbage, nothing misses their sharp eyes. As they search it reminds me of the “California Gold Rush Miners,” no fun, no games for these kids right now. It's all business! At that particular moment the only things on their mind is on their labors and pursue to help their family. Meanwhile stray dogs poke around through the same mount of garbage next to the kids. Occasionally a dog discovers a piece of rotten meat and then at once he'll dash off with his discovery while other hungry dogs give chase. Once in a blue moon the kids will find a treasure of metal cans that can be sold. After a few hours have passed the sun is at the mid-day and heat becomes almost unbearable and then the kids turn to return home. Holding tightly as precious as if recyclable goods were the crown jewels of England is the fruits of their labor for that day. When the kids have returned home they are kids once again.
As the sky starts to become dark in the evening the husband returns home with a peso or two in his pockets; just enough to buy a kilo of rice and some dried fish to feed his family. The evening twilight quickly turns dark and the stars above shine brightly above. Laughter can be heard as the one candle flickers inside their humble home. In the distance a lone dog can be heard barking at an imagery foe. Before long the day is over and everyone turns to sleep…. Life goes on.
