FIFTY DUCK EGGS

Fifty preserved duck eggs called “balut.” Only 50 per night. Each egg sold earns him one peso. P50 per night. Enough to pay for fare to and from school. Enough to pay for school supplies. Enough to pay for his school uniform. Enough to pay for a used pair of shoes when his cousin does not have an old pair to give him. Enough, sometimes, so that there is a little more food on the table. Enough to help his mother pay the money owed at the “tiangge” or corner store. Enough to drop a coin into his piggy bank. Sometimes.

Fifty duck eggs to sell between 6 and 9:30 in the evening. Then it's time to return home for supper and homework. On evenings when there is someone else selling duck eggs with him, he can run home for a bite to eat and then return to his selling post. When by himself, supper comes only after the eggs are sold.

To bed at eleven in the evening. When sales are not brisk, he has to abandon his post and walk about the neighborhood looking for customers.

Days when he has a lot of homework to do, he finishes them before selling the eggs. On exam days, he stays home. On Sunday he rests. But only then. Many are the days when fatigue overcomes attention and his grades drop or he goes to school late.

Tonight, a customer bought 30 duck eggs. Only 20 more eggs to sell and he can retire early and gain an extra hour of sleep.

When there was not enough for fare money, he had to walk 4.5 km. each way. His steadfast companion on a few of these walks has been his good friend Charles.

Meet Chad Velmonte. Age 13. Son, brother, student, and “balut” vendor. The last through necessity.

- written by Mrs. Ging Graham

Chad Velmonte is a 1st year student and scholar of the Tapulanga Foundation as well.

SFAS considers him a model student and teen-ager! His father was laid off from work last year because of the change of government mayor. His mother stays home and takes care of his 2 younger siblings.

I was recently driving back to the city after school when I saw him walking towards the city SOAKED in the rain! I brought him home - asked him why he was walking home and he said he didn't have money for public transportation. The foundation is now shouldering his transport money ... to say the least!