“Trash to Treasure”, this is the project initiated by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration at the Philippine Overseas Labor Office for distressed OFWs at the “Migrant Workers and Other Overseas Filipinos Resource Centers or MWOOFRC” formerly called Filipino Workers Resource Centers (FWRC) in Kuwait while awaiting repatriation back to the country.
This was relayed by Miss Yolly Peñaranda, OWWA Welfare Officer in Kuwait, who accompanied the 104 repatriated OFWs all of them women when they arrived at the NAIA on Friday, March 18, 2011. These OFWs, mostly household service workers, left their employers due to unpaid salaries and work related concerns.
The project was reported by OWWA Administrator Carmelita S. Dimzon to Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz of the Department of Labor and Employment who has directed to turn MWOOFRCs into centers of care and excellence.
“As part of our commitment to promote welfare and well-being of our OFWs, we provide them livelihood programs such as this Trash to Treasure project in cooperation with NGO’s and local community organizations abroad”, said Administrator Dimzon.
According to Kuwait Labor Attache’ Atty. Vivo Vidal and Welfare Officer Peñaranda, this “Trash to Treasure” Project came about through the help of Miss Cherryl Spessert, an American Coordinator of “Operation Hope”, an NGO for the Welfare of Overseas Workers.
“As they await their return to the country in our MWOOFRC they handcraft waste materials and turn them into useful items like rugs, floor mats, pot holders, fruit baskets and even clothes for pet dogs and cats. Through the Trash to Treasure Project, these products are marketed to Kuwaitis and other foreign nationals in Kuwait. In doing so, these distressed OFWs were still able to earn money even though they absconded from their employers”, said Welof Peñaranda.
“Nagpapasalamat po kami sa OWWA dahil bukod sa pag-aasikaso sa amin sa Bahay Kalinga, nabigyan pa kami ng pagkakakitaan na malaking tulong sa pagbalik namin ngayon sa aming pamilya”, said Charito Aguilar who worked as an OFW in Kuwait for 7 years.-30- Carmelita S. Dimzon, Administrator, OWWA
