As we write this, Lorna Tolen­tino, a Filipina caregiver is at the Burnaby Hospital where she has been admitted since October af­ter being diagnosed with cancer. Tolentino, who is single, has no relatives in Canada. While she is being properly cared for at the hospital where there is a number of Filipino workers and is being visited by friends and other sup­port groups, she is for the most part, alone.

The tragedy is that she, like others who come under the Live-in Caregiver Program (LCP) came to this country to care for others, they sometimes end up with no­body to care for them because families are left behind.

Handog kay Lorna Tolentino at sa lahat na OFWs
Sa gitna ng dilim ako ay naka­tanaw
Ng ilaw na kay panglaw, halos di ko makita
Tulungan mo ako, ituro ang daan
Sapagkat ako’y sabik sa aking pinagmulan
Bayan ko, nahan ka, ako ngayo’y nag-iisa
Nais kong magbalik sa iyo, bayan ko
Patawarin mo ako kung ako’y nagkamali
Sa landas na aking tinahak
Sa pagsibol ng araw hanggang dapit-hapon
Malamig na hangin ang aking kayakap
Huwag sanang hadlangan ang aking nilalandas
Sapagkat ako’y sabik sa aking sinilangan
Bayan ko, nahan ka, ako ngayo’y nag-iisa
Nais kong magbalik sa iyo, bayan ko
Patawarin mo ako kung ako’y nagkamali
Sa landas na aking tinahak Patawarin mo ako kung ako’y nagkamali
Sa landas na aking tinahak
ALAY KAY LORNA!

An appeal for monetary dona­tions to help pay for Lorna’s sis­ter to come to Canada to be at her bedside is being launched by the Migrant Workers & Families Outreach Ministry of St. Mary’s Catholic Church at 5251 Joyce St. (near Joyce Skytrain). Donations can be dropped off at the church rec­tory during office hours or given to any member of the Ministry. Please make cheques payable to: “St. Mary’s Church – Migrant’s Outreach”. Tax receipts can be is­sued for donations over $25.

Maraming salamat po sa in­yong pakikibaka!
Ted Alcuitas tedalcuitas@shaw.ca 604.517.0029