Despite having only P2,000 in wallet, OFW from Kuwait glad to be home

REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK



Perhaps it was not the kind of homecoming she envisioned when she left to work abroad nearly four years ago.
Aurora Nacion was among the thousands of OFWs from Kuwait who were repatriated recently amid the amnesty given by the Kuwaiti government. Like many in her batch, she said she was abused by her employer.
"Sinaktan niya ako, pinagsususuntok niya ako. Tapos nagpunta ako ng bathroom kasi tuloy-tuloy pagsuntok niya sa akin. Nung ni-lock ko 'yung pinto nung banyo, 'di na siya nakapasok. Tsaka niya ako tinantanan," she recalled to GMA News' Maki Pulido in an episode of Reporter's Notebook.
Her ordeal in Kuwait did not stop with the abuse. Nacion, a resident of Tondo, also spent over a month in detention after Kuwaiti authorities apprehended her for having an expired visa.
When she arrived in the Philippines, her wallet contained only P2,000.
Still, Nacion said she is glad to be home.
"Miss na miss ko na mga anak ko. Iniisip ko po lagi mga anak ko wala po silang kasama dun sila-sila lang magkakapatid. Yung ama nila wala naman dun sa bahay," she tearfully said.
Like many OFWs, Nacion tried her luck abroad to finance the studies of her five children, who weren't expecting her arrival even though they have been asking for her to come home for a long time.
"Nagpasalamat ako sa Lord kasi nakarating na siya dito na safe. Lagi naman po naming pinagdadalasal na makauwi si mama ng maayos. Matagal na po namin siyang pinapauwi," said daughter Angelita.
Though the future looks uncertain, Nacion, who vowed never to leave her children anymore, said is glad to be home.
Like all repatriates, Nacion is entitled to P5,000 in financial assistance from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration. She is also covered by the agency's livelihood program. —KBK, GMA News

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