Meredita and her family's life story represents that of the many families the author has known at Quirino Aveneu Bridge and in other places in Manila. Affected by their untiring, endless attempts to get out of poverty or deal with it to survive, the author tried to capture all these details from what Mercedita's family chose to share over the years. The interaction was based on a relationship shaped by events an NGO volunteer organized in the community, like a street library and monthly fora. 

This book takes the position that the poorest are first and foremost human beings, essential partners in the fight against poverty more than they are problems to be solved.