I have to share this story, something I learned of a week or so ago, and something I cant stop thinking about it because it was so great. I hope you take the time to read it to the end. I spent some time with some guys here in the Philippines who have, by their own statement, a small Koi business, mainly selling Koi which they breed themselves locally. For the benefit of those unfamiliar with the Philippines I shall add some context to the story. It is a simple fact that there are many children in the Philippines who are homeless, parent-less, and effectively fend for themselves. There are many parents who simply cannot afford an education for their children. Despite all the glitz and glamour the ridiculously high number of shopping malls this is a 3rd world country with many living below the poverty line. Anyway, on with the story. Whilst chatting with the owners of the Koi business a teenage boy arrived, at first I presumed a younger son/brother. It transpired that the boy was in fact a neighbors son who had shown an interest in Koi. It would have been very easy for my friends to give this teenage boy a job, pay him a paltry wage, a wage which may or may not have been spent on anything really beneficial or meaningful. There are plenty of kids working from a very early age here in the Philippines in order to make ends meet. Every day barefooted children walk past my gate collecting plastic or glass bottles to earn a few peso recycling them, they actually carry weighing scales to pay you for taking your bottles. They can have mine graciously. My friends did not do that. What my friends did was give him a scholarship at school, something his parents could not afford easily to pay for. He repays his scholarship by helping out around the Koi shop. Not only does he get an education, but also an apprenticeship in Koi something he clearly has a love for. I was told a story; my friends send Koi all around the Philippines which invariably means a late night trip to Manila airport to put them on the last flight to whichever island is their destination. Many a morning their young apprentice is banging on the gate wanting to get in because he needs to clean the filters before going to school. As you can probably tell, this story really touched me, goodness coming from good people, but ultimately stemming from the fish I love so much, Koi. I have to say, if that young boys passion for Koi does not wane, once his formal education is complete, and should he so desire, i really would do everything I could to get him some kind of placement with a breeder in Japan to further his love of Koi. My friends, a great job!!
Posted on: Fri, 05 Dec 2014 11:21:41 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015