A Smile Goes A Long Way

By Mercedes Jaudines

Millions of Filipinos are working abroad hoping to help their families. To cope with their loneliness in a foreign land, some fix their attention on their work and some dedicate themselves in Filipino-organized activities.

Here, Mercedes Juadines, an OFW in Pakistan tells of how she took part in organizing a Filipino community which is involved in helping their fellow Filipinos.

Life was not so easy when I first came to Pakistan in the last quarter of 1994. It was a totally different world in the sense that people, food, language and lifestyle were of a new culture. Being in a foreign land, I experienced the same feelings of loneliness and homesickness. To overcome all these and keep myself active aside from my routine work in the factory, I searched for new friends around.

Gathering the flock

It was then in the first quarter of 1995 when our Filipino community from the textile industry organized as singing group to sing during the Sunday Mass and a fellowship of Filipinos from Lahore, Pakistan. The same group started the prayer meeting during weekends. It was in July 1996 when the Filcom Lahore began doing some group projects and activities for the community. The first apostolate we had was the Filcom medical camp. We had our first medical outreach in Duphsaree Shadbagh. It was the beginning and later we have reached out to other poor communities of Lahore.

Where have we gone so far

Medical check-up, primary health care, drugs and medicines, nutritional supplements and health education were all given free through the generous support, fund raising and donations of Filcom members, expatriate friends and Pakistanis. We also hold a gift giving activity during Christmas as one of our charitable projects. My experience of being one with the Pakistanis, learning their simple way of living, the closeness and hospitality and the feeling of oneness in spirit brings joy to myself. We also had extended moral, legal, spiritual, medical and financial assistance not only to these poor Lahorites but also Filipinos within the community. Many have benefited from these projects which have created Filipino goodwill among Pakistanis in Lahore.

Filcom Newsletter

Inspired by the Holy Spirit and with the help of my missionary friends, my dream became a reality when the very first publication of the Filcom Newsletter came out in the second quarter of 1996. Our Filcom Newsletter is a dynamic communication link which creates a bond among Filipinos in different places in Pakistan. With our current news update, features and other relevant articles that are of special interest to each one of us, all are made possible by the unity of editors, staff writers and contributors.

Now on my fourth year in Lahore, I was elected as president of the Filipino community. There is a campaign on health awareness for Filipinos and their families for hepa-B immunization and other vaccinations. Filcom members’ benefits are well-defined in our Filcom Lahore resolutions mandated in August 1998. Filcom Lahore members are given IDs not only for identification but for some fringe benefits like discounts on participating outlets such as health and beauty shops, medical references (discount doctor’s fee, medicines), clothes shops, and many more. Monthly get-together, charity dinner parties were initiated not only for fellowship and camaraderie but also for the generation of funds to continually support our Filcom projects.

My experience with Filcom Lahore especially during our weekly prayer meetings mostly attended by the domestic helper’s group were also found beneficial. It made me get closer to our kababayans, allowed me to listen to their sharings and problems needing immediate action. It has changed my life. And most of all it made me a better person.