Evelyn, rubbish sorter in the Philippines (P)

Evelyn and her family migrated to Manila from the island of Samar when she was six years old. Evelyn, being the third of six children, came with her parents to Manila looking for better economic opportunities. Her parents do not earn enough income to pay for the family's living expenses. Her father has irregular work as a jeepney driver, while her mother is a market vendor. Evelyn and her older siblings collect items for sale from the rubbish tip to help the family pay for basic items. Children sort through rubbish for items to sell Evelyn's family have benefited from the Philippine Government's Street and Urban Working Children Project, which is supported by the Australian Government's overseas aid program. Each day a bus takes Evelyn to school and she receives a supply of rice to assist her family and reduce the need to work. With more food and less contact with the dangers of the rubbish dump, she is able to concentrate on her studies. Evelyn is an active and diligent student who excels in her class. She is determined to finish her schooling, so that she can become a teacher to serve other poor and special children like her