By Fr. Eugene Docoy, SVD

Fr. Eugene was born in Bohol in 1961. He studied at the SVD Seminary in Tagaytay and was ordained in 1987. In 1989, he went to Korea to work in the Diocese of Suwon near Seoul. He speaks fluent Korean which is a great advantage when he was to mediate between Filipino Workers and their Korean employees. It is estimated that there are 30,000 Filipino workers in Korea.

One year ago Ali Sher came to Korea legally as a ‘student trainee’. At 38 years of age, he is in reality neither a student nor a trainee. He came to work and earn to support his wife, three children and a jobless uncle who lives with the family.

Ali Sher landed in a small factory where I am presently based as formator. Indeed, he got good pay, good working condition and a desired treatment from the employer. But this time his work was dangerous – operating a deadly press machine. Also as a worker he is illegal.

Accident!

One day bad luck came his way. A day which he will never forget for the rest of his life. While operating that dreaded machine he accidentally cut off the fingers of his left hand. For him, it was only like a dream. It could not have happened to him. But it’s real. He could see it. He could feel it. He felt like the whole world fell on him. With only a thumb remaining on his left hand he could no longer work, he remembers his family. He tries to imagine his future but it’s not there. It’s all darkness. He is now a handicapped person – disabled.

Depressed Myself

When Ali Sher came to our Diocesan counseling center for foreign workers for help. I could not help but really get depressed. In as much as I wanted to help there was only very little I could do aside from sympathizing with him in this traumatic moment.

New Strategy

I used to analyze the socio economic system that may be behind these problems in a hope of finding ways to better serve these people. But now I have stopped being an analyst. The thoughts on exploitation, cheating, manipulation, deception and the like only make me angry. I have stopped pretending to be the messiah who can solve their problems whatever they may be. That only makes me frustrated and depressed. Instead I turn towards myself to listen to what’s going on inside me every time they come for help. In this way I can be more peace and serene no matter what the nature of the problem is. This process enables me o to better understand myself which in turn enables me to better understand the migrant workers as well. Surely that will make me a better apostle to the workers.

Ultimately Up to God

When I first came to Korea in 1989 it never dawned on me that I would be working with people other than the Korean nationals. I n the first place I was invited to Korea to work for the local Church. However, working with migrant workers gives real meaning to my life. It’s a job really worth doing! And I know that God sees my faltering attempts to bring a little grace and hope. After all he called me to do just a little so that He can do a lot.