A group of Boholano Overseas Filipino Workers from distant Middle eastern country in Kuwait, proved could never just leave their fellow Boholanos behind.

The 350-strong Tigum Bol-anon sa Tibook Kalibutan (TBTK-Kuwait Chapter) raised funds to help  the  70 distressed Overseas Filipino Workers including children who have to be stranded at the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait, kept safe until their official release from suits filed against them. 

Most of them alleged that they were maltreated, some unlucky ones were sexually abused before they escaped to the embassy only to be accused of crimes of theft and other mischief, TBTK Kuwait said.

“Gibogbog kay gusto na muoli kay humana ag contrata unya dili paulion. Unya kay maot mag batasan gi bogbog og gipakulong tawon,” the source narrated. (Mauled because the OFW wants to go home after completing the contract, but the master doesn’t want them to. The master is cruel, the OFW was mauled and sent to prison.)

There are also some of us who are lucky, we picked good masters, the source noted.

We have sent some home, after being cleared of cases, helping them in returning to the country, a source from the group, in a confirmatory chat, added.

“Dia pay usa ka taga Sevilla, gikulong sa kapolisan gipasanginlan nangawat. Louy ba. Apan sagdi lang kay gitabangan na namo sya dre.” (there is still one here, somebody from Sevilla, apprehended after being accused of theft. Pitiful. But we are helping the OFW)

“They could not work, they need food, something for their personal necessities and most of all, they need to realize they have us supporting them in their tough times,” stressed TBTK Kuwait assistant secretary Argie Mortejo of Cortes town, in an online chat.

Seeing this, TBTK Kuwait President, Engr Jim Dalugdog from Balilihan and Vice President Jose Simangca of Bilar, steered the organization into a raffle promo: each member selling tickets to raise funds for the distressed Boholanos.

When they had pooled enough funds to help, with the Philippine Embassy’s Outreach Program, TBTK Kuwait organized feeding and turn-over of personal necessities to the distressed OFWs, in an event March 8 at the Embassy.

“It was an emotional event, and Boholanos who received the help couldn’t stop from crying, some of them asking the group for more prayers so they can immediately be allowed to go home. How can we ever leave them?” TBTK describing the event, shared.

“We are just happy that Boholanos here are united for a cause, otherwise, what can one man do, away from home?” Mortejo asked.

To help Bohol, just as TBTK Kuwait has sent help to families hit by the earthquake, they also sent help to Loboc which was flooded early this year.

Another upcoming activity for the group is sending another batch of help to Bohol, aside from promoting the island home as a tourist destination, according to TBTK president Dalugdog. (rac/PIA-7Bohol)