(Jethrow is part of my family now and my buddy)
I got a friend. She has ten people living in the house. (a common occurrence in philippines as they are BIG on family :)
She would joke with me that my large hive income could not even pay for her electric. I was like.. huh? see, i know that usd in PH is worth 5-10 times on average, what its worth here in usa. So.. she really has a $300-600 monthly electricity bill? what? she later told me the her elec. bill is 5k-7k php a month. (thats $100-140 usd)
She explained that SHE is the one, or I think she feels, as if it is her responsibility to pay for the entire family's electric bill. and when it's ten people using that electricity, well.. thats a lot!
I was always raised to not even think of it that way. I didnt worry about paying any kind of bills until I was living on my own in college. so I found it very interesting to try and put myself in her situation and try and think through her 'problem'..
But, there is also a pro.. having 10 times the financial bill, also means having 10 people who are working to help pay the family's total, right? well, I doubt it. usually, there are small kids who are too young to work and are busy with school. There is also probably grandma and grandpa who are too old for most jobs. From what I know of pinoys, they are traditional, so the mother is at home full time taking care of home and kids. (There may also be uncle so and so who is a drunk or pro lazy bum.. :P)
So, let's say there are only 5 out of 10, who are of working age/capability. Another problem is that there are at least 10 people for only 1 job available. That is, its really hard to find a job, even if u want one and try really hard to find one. The solution.. maybe.. create your own source of income..
lets use hive as the easiest to start, no experience needed, or special training / education, etc. (it's just so awesome, that u can't compare it to anything else) and let's say a person can easily make $2 usd/day.
ok, so far, that's $2 x 5 ppl = $10/day
and 10 x 30 days - $300 a month, or about 15,000 php
well, already this is more than enough to pay HER electric bill. I am sure it's not enough to pay for the family's food, medical need, school supplies, etc. but surely there are other income sources to be found.
I get that there is a lack of capital to just make things happen, but I also know how many people who are driven find ways to make enough despite their situation or lack of capital. meh.. i don't pretend to know how it is.. I have no true idea of how it is to grow up and live anywhere but here in usa.
I had a 'friend' (my high school classmate's roommate) who I would often argue with, and he would always end the argument with saying 'ok, rich boy'. I am not rich.. my family has always been working middle class. but, i'm sure that compared to him, maybe i was rich. i don't know though..
I would always counter by saying it's NOT the amount of money u got, it's the belief and confidence of knowing u can go out and get/make what u need.. for whatever.. like the determination perhaps? the drive.. ps. I always thought he was just a lazy, dumbass anyway. I'm sure he had a good enough brain.. he was just like a stoner guy. (i don't know if he actually used drugs or not) :P
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