It is already painful to lose a mother at a very young age and yet, the pain and struggles are doubled if you are staying in a foreign land. But this tragic experience had to be experienced by a baby whose mother passed away in Kuwait because of COVID-19.
Maricris is an OFW in Kuwait. She gave birth last May 2020. But a year after her baby Cris was born, she contracted COVID-19.
“Sabi ko, sige kukunin ko na lang. Ako na lang mag-aalaga. Dito na lang sa bahay ko. Kasi ever since naman, kapag kailangan umalis si ate, ako po ‘yung tinatawagan niya para magbantay ng bata po,” says Jessie Oliva, friend of Maricris.
Although Cris is too young to know the demise of her mother, Jessie is certain that the baby is looking for the presence of her mother.
“Siguro po since baby pa siya, siyempre in a sense kasi wala pa siyang alam kung anong nangyari sa nanay niya. Sa paligid niya po, hindi pa gano’n ‘yung pangungulila na naramdaman niya,” he said.
Meanwhile, the grandmother of the child wants to see Cris.
“Ang iniisip ko ganito eh. Kami ho andito lahat. Mga apo ko, andito magkakasama. ‘Yung isang bata na isang taon wala dito sa amin,” Marivic, the grandmother of Cris said.
“Siyempre magkasakit ‘yan doon, anong problema? Si Jessie ang mamromroblema sa bata. May trabaho din ho si Jessie. Kaya nga ho kami lumalapit kani-kanino para rin ho mapauwi ‘yung bata,” she added.
But unfortunately, Cris doesn’t have a birth certificate, a major requirement for her to return to the Philippines.
“The status of these children are undocumented. Meaning kapag hindi ka ipinanganak sa ospital, sa bahay ka ipinanganak, wala kang papeles sa Kuwait,” says Adrian Baccay from the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait.
Fortunately, the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait is willing to help in sending Cris back to her relatives in the Philippines.
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Source GMA
