By Cyrus A. Natividad
Catherine Margaret Palabrica shared experiences as an OFW experiencing lockdown in Kuwait.
Catherine Margaret (a.k.a. Cat) studied at CPU College of Social work from 2000 to 2004. Because of her difficult situation as a self-supporting student at that time, she grabbed the first opportunity that knocked on her door; the opportunity to work abroad.
“I have God as my guide, and I have imbibed the values of faith and perseverance from CPU; thank you Central Philippine University for providing me a chance”, Cat said after she finished working on her travel papers. Tears rolled down her cheeks, as she was boarding the plane that will take her on her first adventure abroad; fulfilled dreams and a bright future were in her mind.
A different situation appeared just after she came down from the plane. Cat was not employed as her agency had promised her.
“I was able to get hired only after a harrowing experience from an illegal recruiter whom I relied upon for employment in Kuwait, I survived though, working with several employers before I decided to finally go home. I was supposed to repatriate to our country last December, but the COVID-19 pandemic caught up on me,” she said.
“I continue asking God to help me, to be with me especially now that OFW’s here in Kuwait are locked down because of the crisis. I am indebted to my present employer because she protected me and gave me work as caretaker for her at her home.” “I gave-in to her request that I stay and take care of her for one year.”
“I rely on God and the value of my faith and perseverance is helping me. My present employer in Rumaithiya ,Kuwait is kind and understanding. She has been going through a lot since her business shut down. It’s a little stressful for me, but this kind of challenge I know my Centralian Spirit can fight off. I give her advice and we talk about things or stories that deviate from the topic of the pandemic.”
“Learning from social work, I readily pacify my employer and I almost spend a whole day talking to her. We understand each other and we talk like friends. I overcome my longing for home and my family by praying. Oh, I am comforted by this Bible verse in my mind. This I would like to share with my fellow Centralian OFWs,”
“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer”. (Romans 12:12)