 There are literally thousands of little children here in Iquitos who troll the streets every day begging, selling souveniers, t-shirts, Chicklets gum or cleaning shoes. We all know that sometimes these children can be a bit of a nuisance, but if you take the time to get to know them you will find them to be "little characters". Please don’t hurt them. This month we would like to introduce you to Milagros Gonzales Garcia. Milagros is only 10 years old and lives on the first block of Ricardo Palma Street, here in Iquitos. She is on the street everyday selling cigarettes,Chicklets and candies. Milagros only earns about 10 soles ($3.42) a day and this money goes to help feed her 4 sisters who all live with their Grandmother, she did’nt say much about Mom and Dad. Milagros goes to school and is in the 4th grade in the afternnons and she likes to paint when she has some paper and paint. If you see Milagros in the street with her little tray, please don't push her away like a stray dog but perhaps buy something from her and remember this. "There but for the good grace of God go I". July, 2008 - An update from the publisher of Iquitos Times; Last week 2 polish tourists arrived (man & wife) with a print-out of the Street Kid of the month, Milagros. They wanted to find her so they recruited Juan Maldonado, who soon located her. The tourists invited Milagros and her entire family (about 18) to dinner at the El Meson Restaurant where they gave Milagros lots of presents and about $50 in cash. Milagros single mum invited them to their house in Belem the next day. The tourist could not believe that Milagros lived with her Mother and 7 younger brothers and sisters in her Aunt's house meaning that there was about 20 people living together in one small shack. So the tourists went out and bought a house for Milagros, her Mother and the rest of the kids. It was only a small house which cost 3,000 soles, but at least they now have a place of their own. |