12 years undocumented Filipina domestic worker heads home afflicted with cancer
By Ricky Laxa
Staff Writer
A Filipina household helper in Kuwait finally heads home to Philippines after twelve years of being undocumented. Diagnosed with rectum cancer prior to her departure, was earlier confined to a public hospital until the Embassy of the Philippines managed to arrange for her repatriation.
Jona, a native of Nueva Ecija, Philippines arrived in Kuwait in 2011 and worked for her employer for a year until 2012, when she sought refuge in the Philippine shelter. Jona complained that she sought help from her recruitment agency but refused to comply with the directives.
“I was left in the shelter for 11 months and yet the agency never helped,” she complained. Jona however remained in the place for a few months but later decided to leave and find a part-time job to support her family in the Philippines.
She was introduced to baby sitting, and later through the assistance of friends, she managed to start her own home based facility, that lasted for two months prior to her departure to Philippines.
Jona was later diagnosed with preliminary symptoms of rectum cancer in 2023. Through the assistance of Migrant Workers Office (MWO) in Kuwait she was able to seek medical attention, however refused to leave the country despite the advice from friends and authorities.
In August of 2024, she had severe stomach pain attacks which prompted her to seek help again from MWO. Jona was then confined to a hospital for a month and a half till she was given the clearance of fit to travel and necessary documents were secured for her immediate repatriation.
“I regret not listening to advises and had to return home in this condition, but thankful that I arrived home safe yesterday to be with my family” Jona told The Times Kuwait. Jona expressed her gratitude to the embassy of the Philippines and Migrant Workers Office in particular to the Philippine Labor Attaché Atty. Manuel Dimaano and the medical team for their immediate support and assistance to arrange her medical treatment and repatriation to Philippines. “I also thank everyone who extended financial help prior to my departure,” added Jona.
Jona arrived in the Philippines on the twenty ninth of October and was met by staffs of Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and MWO at the airport. She was checked-in a hotel to take full day rest and later provided transportation to a bus station so she can return to her province in Nueva Ecija.
She also received financial assistance from OWWA. Jona will be seeking immediate medical attention should she has to undergo chemotherapy or operation.
“Thank you so much everyone, Kuwait has been very kind to people like us who are in crisis, I can’t thank them enough. I definitely will miss the kids a lot,” ended Jona.
