RIYADH, 10 August 2005 — In another show of the bayanihan (volunteer) spirit that Filipinos are known for, doctors and other medical workers teamed up recently with computer professionals to share their blessings with distressed compatriots sheltered at the Bahay Kalinga in Riyadh.
What was special about the mission, however, was that the Bahay Kalinga residents got more than just free medical consultation and medicines.
Organized by the Computer Society of Filipinos (Comsofil), volunteers taught the residents a number of topics on health care and prevention.
Dr. Gladys Acosta of the King Saud University Hospital explained dental hygiene, Lorna F. Laceda of Riyadh Care Hospital discussed proper diet, Dolly Otiong of King Faisal Specialist Hospital gave tips on the prevention of back injuries, Mildred A. Alferez of the Security Forces Hospital talked about the heart saver, and Dr. Federico Puente (BK in-house medical officer) dealt on hearty lifestyles.
“I am euphoric over this task of serving and cannot hold my tears for these women,” said Luz Morabe of the Security Forces Hospital. She said it was her first time to join such a community work in the Kingdom and it would not be her last.
“We have opened the door that may lead these distressed women to another opportunity and success by way of our free computer classes,” Comsofil President Archie Trigo said during the culminating rites.
Trigo cited the team of doctors, dentists, nurses, pharmacists and other volunteers in the medical mission.
Community Attaché Carmelita Hidalgo, who delivered the message of Ambassador Bahnarim Guinomla, said Comsofil itself deserved commendation for its invaluable community projects. Comsofil had long been offering computer literacy trainings to Filipinos in the capital city.
But what was more significant about this particular Comsofil project, said Labor Attaché Manuel Roldan, was that the beneficiaries were special.
“The computer classes conducted in-house will definitely enhance the life and future of these distressed Filipinos,” Roldan said.
Henry McCann, the instructor assigned to the pilot project, said 49 of the Bahay Kalinga residents registered at the start of classes but only eight complete the course because many of them were either repatriated or transferred to the Saudi Social Welfare Agency.
Turnover at the Bahay Kalinga is rapid, an indication of the big number of Filipino women workers running away from their employers.
Roldan noted that in 2004, the embassy repatriated 1,127 stranded OFWs.
At present, the shelter has 128 residents, said Bailano Salik, the shelter’s social coordinator.
Leo Untalan, an assistant instructor, said Comsofil plans to revise its module for the next batch of students “to ensure that everyone completes the course within a brief period and gets a proficiency certificate.”
Comsofil Vice President for Education Jerico Mariano identified the eight graduates as Mariam Abdul, Julie C. Badoles, Venus M. Cardona, Visitacion M. Dominguez, Julieta D. Gomez, Almira R. Javier, Charina M. Mapanao, and Lorita L. Quizan.
Officials urged other distressed OFWs to take advantage of similar training programs, saying such could go a long way in changing their lives.
In Hong Kong, many Filipino domestic helpers have become indispensable members of their employers’ families after acquiring skills such as computer literacy.
One Filipino maid was featured in the Wall Street Journal as having become an in-house record-keeper of her employer after getting extensive training on the use of Microsoft Word and Excel from the Comsofil’s counterpart in Hong Kong.
