A Plea from Manuel

My name is Manuel I am 12 years old. People say I look small, but I think that’s just me.

I live in town and most days I go out to work. I sell things, I help people carry their bags, I clean shoes. Whatever I can do to get a little money. I have been working for a long time, because that’s how I eat. If I don’t work, I don’t eat.

I went to school before. I know how to read and write. I finished third grade, but then I couldn’t go anymore. I don’t remember why. Sometimes I miss school, because I liked learning.

I live with my grandmother. She is 83 years old. She takes care of me, but it’s hard. She is very old and doesn’t have work. So I go out every day and try to make something.

I don’t really know my mother or my father. People tell me things, but I don’t think about them much. I just try to do what I can for myself.

But now I have a friend. His name is Michael. He is different from other people. He doesn’t judge me. He doesn’t give me money, but he gives me food when I’m hungry. Sometimes he lets me sleep where it’s safe even if that is outside on his doorstep. He talks with me, listens to me, and makes me feel like I matter. He also gives me hope. That’s not something I feel a lot.

Sometimes people ask me what I want for the future. I say, I don’t know. Maybe to be someone different than I am now. Maybe to have a chance.

I don’t always tell everything. There are things I don’t like to talk about. But what I can say is this that if someone helped me, I would not waste it. I would use it to go back to school, to eat, to live another way.

That’s why I’m writing. To ask if you can give me a chance at a new life.

DONATE

Manuel

manuel@projectgerson.org

From Michael

Manuel wrote this letter with his own words but I did make some spelling/grammar changes.

You may notice there are parts of his story that don’t quite add up—and that’s because he’s a survivor. He’s been on the street, doing whatever he can to get by. He’s actually 15 years old, though he believes he’s 12 and he’s lived more life already than any child should. The existence of his grandmother is questionable at best - his "home" has one bed, one toothbrush, and a Fortnite bag with two shirts.

He deserves a chance. If we can reach our fundraising goal, he will go to rehab - the same place that saved Gerson’s life and gave him hope.

100% of every dollar you give goes toward giving him that chance.

Will you be part of his rescue story today?

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