Street kid studying in rain finds home through crowdfunding effort

The young girl seen studying in front of a Malate condominium, and who has been subject recently of a viral video, now lives in a temporary apartment with her family, thanks to the efforts of individuals through a crowdfunding page.

The third-grade student, Lorensalie Elaine “Jelen” Dolfu, made for a bright sight on a gray afternoon when Rolando Villanueva, a 36-year-old facility manager, spotted her reading textbooks while trying to find cover with a blanket in the rain. His video of her taken on July 5 now has 5.4 million views, as of this writing.

WATCH: Video of street kid studying in rain goes viral

Jelen is the daughter of Jerry and Ellen Dolfu, and proudly created her own nickname from her parents’ names. She has one sister, Alexandra Rose, who studies in nursery school.

When asked if they had received government aid, the student’s mother told INQUIRER.net that they were under the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4P’s) since 2015. But she said that receiving cash grants has been inconsistent, either via ATM or over-the-counter.

As for action from the local barangay, she said, “Minsan sila din ang nagtatabi sa amin. Aalis, babalik (Sometimes they send us away. We’ll leave, then come back).”

INQUIRER.net reached out to DSWD for comment on the Dolfus’ case, but the agency is yet to respond.

Some of those who have seen Jelen’s video have taken action into their own hands through a GoFundMe page set up by Marlene Garcia, a university student in Tennessee.

Updates on the page state that the use of the funds are being supervised by Villanueva, who took the video, and Aurora A. Quezon Elementary School, where Jelen studies.

The family is currently staying in a temporary apartment. In a video published yesterday, July 18, Ellen thanked donors for helping them find a new place. They previously lived on a sidewalk in Malate.

Ellen told INQUIRER.net that the aid her family needs is securing her children’s education and a permanent home. She reasoned that receiving money for rent may not be sustainable for her and her husband, who works as a sidecar driver.

The crowdfunding effort hopes to raise up to $20,000 (P1 million) for a permanent residence, furniture, tuition for the children and a 2nd-hand tricycle for their father.

‘Wala naman ako mapapamana’

Ellen doesn’t have a mobile phone and doesn’t know how to use the internet, so when she was told a video of her daughter went viral, she worried, thinking it was something scandalous.

In ensuring that Jelen and her sister stay in school, the couple hopes their daughters can have a better life than they have experienced.

Ellen only finished fourth grade and Jerry, first grade. Both were homeless since they were children: Jerry left home because his father was a drunkard while Ellen, who was orphaned and cared for by her father’s relative, ran away from home when she felt she became a point of conflict for the family.

“Wala naman ako mapapamana sa kanila kundi makatapos sila sa pag-aaral eh (I have nothing to give them except [to see to it that] they finish school),” she explained.

“Lagi kong sinasabi sa kanila, hangga’t may pagkakataon mag-aral sila, pagsamantalihin kasi pag nag-asawa kayo, gusto n’yo ba na dito rin kayo titira? Pag may mga pulis, mga nanghuhuli tatakbo tayo.”

(I always tell them, as long as you have the chance to study, take advantage of it, because when you get married, do you want to live here? When there are cops, you have to run.)

They previously lived in a cramped, rat-infested room with no light for two years, but could only afford to pay rent for one year. The residence was so small that only she and her two daughters could fit; her husband would sleep in the sidecar.

On most days, they lived on a sidewalk. When it rained, they found shelter in front of the condominium across — but at times would also be sent away when too many homeless people were already there.

Jelen, whose favorite subject is math, hopes to become a doctor. According to her mom, Jelen promised to buy her a house and her father a taxi.

“Sabi ko, ‘anak, kahit hindi mo na kami intindihin, intindihin mo na lang ang kapatid mo,’” Ellen said.

(I told her, “Don’t look after us anymore. Just look after your sister.”) JB

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