Original story at: http://www.mb.com.ph/mb-readers-write-a-happy-ending-to-a-fishermans-story/
by Pinky Concha – Colmenares
A happy ending has been written by several good people, all strangers, to the story of a poor fisherman struggling with many unfortunate events.
Most of the “writers of the happy ending” are Manila Bulletin readers who were touched by the story of Jonathan Buenafe, 47, a single parent of three children, two of them with special needs. It’s been five years since his wife had walked out of their bamboo hut in Barangay Gargatus, Hinigaran, Negros Occidental, supposedly to look for a job. Last year, that bamboo hut collapsed because of its deteriorated state.
In 2013, Jonathan received a motorized banca from The Peter Project of the Negrense Volunteers for Change Foundation (NVC). But strong winds tossed a coconut on the banca parked on the beach, making it unfit for fishing.
So Jonathan fishes with his brother who has a bigger boat. But going out to sea means Jonathan has to leave at 3 a.m., while his children are asleep. To keep them from wandering off, he ties a rope to secure the bamboo door to its frame. When Kenneth, 16, his eldest child, wakes to prepare for school, he feeds his siblings and then puts back the knot that his father had made to secure the door.
But through all that, Jonathan did not talk about hopeless situations. He said this is his fate, God gave him his children, and that he has a job to do. “My job is to make my children survive,” he said.
Jonathan’s story was Manila Bulletin’s Fathers Day feature in the print and online editions. The story was also carried by the NVC in its Facebook page and website. In a few days, calls asking how readers can send help to “the poor fisherman who refused to throw in the towel,” as one reader put it.
NVC President Millie L. Kilayko was at first hesitant to receive donations from readers because she had many ongoing projects. Aside from the Peter Project, Ms. Kilayko also supervises a feeding program distributing high-protein meals to malnourished children, a livelihood program for women, and a handicraft production outfit to raise funds for the foundation.
But who can say no to strangers – some of them from foreign lands –knocking on the door, offering some help? The first donation came from a reader from Brunei. The cash went to the purchase of shoes and a school bag for Kenneth, who is now in high school. The rest of the donation has been allotted for his transportation expenses in the coming months.
An American based in Washington, USA, wrote NVC to ask how he can help the poor fisherman whose story had been forwarded to him by his girlfriend. “I used to build boats professionally and feel a special affinity for people who make their living from the sea because I used to know how hard it can be,” he wrote.
“By American standards I am not wealthy,” he wrote to offer his donation for Jonathan’s house.
Ms. Kilayko had a cost estimate for an 8-feet by 12-feet bamboo house, with labor provided by Jonathan and a professional carpenter. Thus, the house project was born. When other readers contacted the NVC, they were directed to help build the house with their donations. In all, Ms. Kilayko said that four readers from the Manila Bulletin and two friends of NVC sent donations to complete Jonathan’s house.
Last week, the happy ending to Jonathan’s story came – his house was finally completed. Ms. Kilayko sent us a photo of Jonathan sitting in front of the house with his two special children. The photo is also a reminder that there are many good people out there, ready to write happy endings to those who need some help.