Street Kids, Solvents and Salvation

They operate like a close knit family, sleeping rough under a bridge, supporting each other in their desperate daily struggle for survival, but this group of Filipino street children has a weakness worse than poverty.

They had started at a young age, numbing the pain of hunger, dysfunctional families and abuse. Now, they are addicted to the solvents, begging and stealing to feed their habit and to make it through one more meaningless day.

They don’t care about their lives or the danger of the drugs, they assume they will die young. They are the notorious, detested, even hated, “Rugby boys” named after the sealant that keeps them high and stops them thinking about their tragic lives.

Logos Hope, a Christian missionary ship docks in the Philippines. Enthusiastic and cheerful crew members set up a book-table engaging passer’s by with the Good News of Jesus.

Almost immediately, they realise they are being observed by a bunch of ragged, dirty street kids who swim in the polluted river and fight imaginary battles as they hallucinate.

Locals are embarrassed, they wish their problem had not drawn the attention of these highly regarded foreign visitors’.

Encouraged by friendly smiles from the team, the boys cautiously make their hesitant approach.

What will happen when these two worlds collide? Will light conquer the darkness and despair? Find out if there really is hope for the hopeless by clicking the BUY NOW button at the top of the page.

© 2023 Natalie Vellacott (Audiobook): 9798368904535

Release date

Audiobook: 1 June 2023