Orphans of Santa Cruz...

MEET: Manuel Tavares - Nee
The AIDS epidemic adds a complex dimension to the poverty stricken villages of Santa Cruz. At 12 years old, children like Manuel Mendes Tavares (Nee) has his childhood robbed and his future already decided for him. He gets up in the morning and heads up to the intersection where he peels off coconuts for thirsty travelers all day as they pass by Santa Cruz. Nee is one of 6 children left parentless after the death of both his mother and father. Nee and his siblings live in a shell of a house without furniture and sleep on blankets. Today, none of them attend school; a situation Nee told us is very common for Santa Cruz. “First you must find a way to eat before you worry about education,” he said. The situation is becoming so devastating in rural areas that this year the government instituted a one hot meal policy as an incentive to attract children to attend school.

Nee’s childhood was bleak even before the death of his parents. His mother used to buy and sell things but never earned more than a pittance. After she passed away, Nee was left to fend for himself and do whatever it takes to survive. In the past, orphans have traditionally been cared for by relatives who absorb the children into their extended family. Currently, communities like Santa Cruz are becoming saturated with orphans and families can’t afford to take another child, leaving hundreds alone. Many of these children must fend for themselves, struggling to survive. The trauma of losing parents for children like “Nee” is compounded with becoming the breadwinner. As evident in this case, children drop out of school, suffer malnutrition and physical distress. Without education, girls often fall into prostitution and boys fall into a life of crimes.

When asked if he had a message for the emigrant community, “Nee” went into a deep silence, looked down at the ground and with tears pouring down his glazed eyes, he found enough courage to say – “TELL THEM TO HELP ME GO TO SCHOOL”.

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