THE SCAVENGER- ACTORS and OUR GOALS:

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He has a medical condition, called hydrocephalous with a visual impairment.  Richard also has balance problems when walking and he needs help navigating his environment, Despite of this, he is able to function independently in  his daily living.

It took us a long time to cast a visually impaired child, and when he showed up we felt very fortunate to have him. Despite of his medical condition he showed very exceptional talent and memory in knowing his lines to a point that he knew everyone’s lines as well.

Richard never got any medical intervention for  his hydrocephalous due to the high cost of medicine and surgery in the Philippines.

Richard Casas

Richard in a scene from THE MOUNTAIN THIEF.

As a graduate of our acting workshop, Randy played the lead role in the film.

He started scavenging for trash when he was 12-years old, he hasn’t stopped working since because  this is his only way to supports his family.

Randy Catonjay in a scene from

      THE MOUNTAIN THIEF

Randy’s son, with a club- foot

                deformity.

Every parent is looking for the moment when their children walk, but for Randy it would mean a miracle.

Junior has a club foot deformity.His ankles are rotated and because of this he is unable to walk.

He needs a surgical correction. Such surgeries are very common in the western world.  However, the high cost of this surgery in the Philippines, make this procedure impossible for him..

ACTIONS WE ARE CURRENTLY TAKING:

We all have a roof over our head and we don’t have to go through the garbage all day long just to survive, we are truly blessed.

For the scavengers, he day-to-day conditions in the town are very challenging. There were  14 scavengers-actors and 10 scavengers-extras who participated in the film.

We are currently trying to contact non-profit organizations and advocates for children with medical needs in organizations here in the US for impoverished countries.

After the article in the ADVANCE magazine, we were approached by Pamela, who was very touched by the story. This spring in 2009, in her town in New Jersey, she is hosting a private fundraising for the children Richard and Junior.

The goal is to initially raise at least $1,000. It will go toward Richard’s eyeglasses and the medical consultations for him and Junior. Anything in excess will go towards their surgeries.

If you are touched by their stories and want to organize a fundraising, send us an e mail or donate.

If you want to get updates, find out more about his project or simply have some ideas to share for this effort, please contact us or visit our TAKE ACTION page.

Other Goals we would like to pursue:

This is Manuel inside a typical shanty in Payatas. The scavenger actors live in these conditions.

We would like to help the 14 actors build build a better shanty. It will cost around 30,000 Philippine Pesos or approximately  $600 US Dollars.

Yes, just $600 to build a home that doesn’t leak, with decent roofing for the monsoons and walls for protection of their children against  the elements, so they don’t get wet in the rain.

Ultimately, we would like to help them set up for other means of livelihood. Some would like to sell fish, others would like to have their own store. The young ones want to have an education.

Randy Catonjay as Julio.

He are hopeful that our initial efforts above for the medical needs of the children are successful, so we can pursue these other needs.

Richard is 9-years old. He was born in Payatas and the mountains of trash are his playground.

Richard dreams to be able to read and write someday.

1. 1.Have a pair of eyeglasses.
   

2. 2.Arrange a medical consultation with a neurologist to determine his medical needs.
   

3. 3.Find organizations and individuals to help if surgery is needed.

Our Goals for Richard:

Richard Casas as Ingo

Please read below for actions we are taking.

Randy’s dream is to see his 3-year old son, Junior (below) walk someday.

Our Goals for Randy and Junior:

1. 1.Arrange for a consultation with  an orthopedic surgeon to determine his needs.
   

2. 2.Find organizations and individuals to help for his possible surgery.

DREAMS YOU CAN MAKE COME TRUE:

       The Cast of The Mountain Thief

Their dreams are very simple and are basically centered around improving their housing and basic livelihood.

We are hopeful to achieve the initial goals (for Richard and Junior’s medical needs) and then help the other actors to be self-sufficient outside the dumpsite.

Together, we can make their world a better place!

                             Let’s Take Action!

If you are touched by their stories, send us an e mail and let us know or go to our TAKE ACTION page if you want to donate or volunteer your time.

THE MOUNT HOPE WORKSHOP- (left to right) front row-Rammil, Gener, Randy, me, Gerry Balasta, Teresita, back row-Manuel, Emily, Willy, Norife, Irene, Reynaldo

Manuel inside his friend’s shanty- his shanty is worst than this, his shanty didn’t have any walls and minimal roofing that he picked from the mountains of trash.

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