A homily prepared for the teachers and deaf students of La Salle Greenhils, November 28, 2007, 8:00 PM.
Marianette Amper is in Grade 6. She was 12 years old. They were poor. She has experienced hunger. On November 2, 2007, she hanged herself. She committed suicide.
Why would a twelve year old girl want to die? Children like her does not commit suicide. They go to school. They learn addition and subtraction; they learn math. They learn water cycle and scientific names; they learn science. They learn HeKaSi. Children her age play patintero, piko, chinese garter, jackstone, or for the more techy ones, video games and internet games. But they do not kill themselves. Why would a twelve year old girl want to die?
The papers say because of hunger and poverty. The Mayor of Davao City says, she could have been raped. Whatever circumstances led her to such a tragedy, I am quite sure in Marianette's heart she lost hope. She lost the hope that things will get better for her and her family, the hope not to experience hunger anymore, the hope not to be imprisoned by misery.
Being different in this world can bring so much difficulties and challenges. Not being able to hear and communicating through Sign Language, can mean suffering, pain and much sacrifice. But do not loose hope. The gospel today tells us, "You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed." Ni isang hibla ng iyong buhok hindi maaagnas.
My dear teachers, I salute you for choosing this more difficult task of sharing your knowledge to deaf students. This is truly a call within a call. May you be true bringers of hope to your deaf students.
My dear deaf students, it is a fact that because you are different, you would have to travel extra miles in order to fulfill your dreams and become the best that you can be. But do not loose hope. Believe in the fidelity of God, for he hears the cry of the lowly.
Whenever a person, much more a child, looses hope and takes his or her own life, this is an insult to our faith, for we believe in an ever-loving and faithful God. Let us share this faith to all and hope will not be lacking anymore.
