Garbage collectors have a literally dirty job as they collect other people’s trash and keep the cities clean. But it is also a sad reality that many of them are not paid well and remain poor. A lot find it difficult to send their children to school – and the children repeat the cycle of poverty, never getting the chance to improve their lives.
Photo credit: GMA Public Affairs / YouTube
But for Tatay Cristito Quimado, a 51-year-old garbage collector, education is the only thing that he could give his children. He does not have a lot of money nor does he have properties to pass on to his kids, but he knows that sending them to school would give them better opportunities in life.
Photo credit: GMA Public Affairs / YouTube
So, Tatay Cristito happily wakes up at 3 AM each day to collect trash. There are times when he gets injured by broken glass and other sharp materials in the trash, yet he does not complain. It was part and parcel of his job as garbage collector.
Photo credit: GMA Public Affairs / YouTube
“I do it for my family, for my kids. Education is the only thing I can leave my children,” this noble, hardworking dad explained.
“As a father, you will do everything just to support the needs of your family. You can endure any kinds of job as long as it is not illegal [for your family].”
In his job, Tatay Cristito barely earns Php500 a day, but he makes sure to budget the money to send his children to school. His eldest child, Jenny Rose, graduated from the course of BS Nutrition and Food Technology.
Photo credit: GMA Public Affairs / YouTube
The young lady plans on finding a job as soon as possible so that she could help her dad in sending her younger siblings to school, easing the burden from this hardworking man’s shoulders.
Photo credit: GMA Public Affairs / YouTube
What males Jenny Rose even more impressive is that she had never been ashamed of her father’s job as garbage collector. Despite his smelly job, she was proud of her father.
Photo credit: GMA Public Affairs / YouTube
“I thank God for giving me my dad. He has a noble job. It’s okay even if his earnings are small; at least he’s not doing anything illegal,” the young lady shared.
Photo credit: GMA Public Affairs / YouTube
After the garbage collector and his newly graduated daughter were featured on TV, their story touched the hearts of many people. They would receive financial help from Lifted International, an international non-profit organization.
