Hello,

My name is Fred Rice.

I recently hired a personal care woman here in Dumaguete, Philippines where I met with a Neurologist, to help me with mobility issues stemming from a Laminectomy w/ Fusions that took place in Kalamazoo, MI. 9/29/2022. Something has gone wrong and I must return to the U.S. to investigate why 15-months later I'm unable to walk unaided I leave to go back to the U.S. for some answers April 3rd 2024.

To help me in the interim I hired "Juna" a single Mother of 4. Like 99% of Filipino's, she had "Care Giver" stamped on her forehead. Warm, even, kind temperament. Very fluent in English. We agreed she would come twice a week. She would clean the apartment, go with me to the grocer, prepare meals in Tupperware that would last between visits as I could not move about the kitchen to prepare meals. She would be paid P1,000 (about $17-U.S. Dollars) each visit I would also cover the half hour commute on a "trike".

Immediately she had scheduling issues. She would be tardy. Some days she wouldn't come at all. I asked what the problem was. I am half "Oprah", half "Barbara Walters". I am a talker but like to think I'm a good listener as well. She was afraid I was going to dismiss her. Then she unfurled her incredibly horrific story. I was agog. I was too mortified to speak. In the telling of how she got to this point, 45 years old, single, -4-kids and living day to day in a 1-bedroom apartment that has "brown outs" sometimes several times a day, and water unfit to drink or wash clothes (by normal standards) with the possibility there would be no rice for dinner, she was incredibly calm. Accepting. Bottom line? The time she missed she didn't have the P50 ($1.00) to get to where she could put P1,000 ($18) in her pocket.

She shared the tough lessons she learned. A mother at 18 she learned the hard way. Married to Nicholas, who never abused physically, but tried mightily through drug addiction, crack, to crush her spirit. Juna had too much fight in her. He would leave 5-times over their years together. She once tracked him down to find him with a woman who pulled a knife on her. She played detective again. This time he was with a woman who threatened her with a gun. Then she would be fooled by periods of stability. The last "normal" period lasted a year. They worked and saved P50,000, $900 in U.S. dollars. One night he disappeared with the money. That was it. Her parents took the children and Juna went into hiding in a city far away where she had a brother. For 4 heart breaking years she would clandestinely see the children on an occasional birthday or Christmas.

An Aussie couple that she worked for hooked her up with a "Brit". They started a long-distance relationship. See one another twice a year for 6-years. In that time, all the while battling severe Prostate Cancer, Michael paid the money it took to reunite her with her children. Paid for a decent house where they finally made a home TOGETHER. In time the Cancer has made working impossible for Michael so his generous contributions ended. He remains in the U.K. where his medical is covered.

Juna's oldest, Nicloe, entered a "work/study" program. She has become a Registered Nurse. There is a catch. "The "work/study agreement" terms dictate she work/teach for 2-years post- graduation. She is paid pennies on the Peso. She is obligated for one more year. She, while settling the debt, has undertaken M.A. studies. When her obligation is done, she is off to Manila to take the NCLEX exam. National Council Licensure Examination. Passing her exam will fulfil the dream of a U.S. or Canada destination. This test costs around $300 U.S. Nicole, who struggles to put gas in her cycle, after turning over her pay for rent, rice, is the "SAVIOR."

Yuri, sweet Yuri. 17. The "baby." Yuri came down with his Rheumatic Heart while being stricken with COVID. His is an ongoing fight filled with tests, injections, and the occasional overnight stay in the hospital. Juna fears every day that the money needed for the next shot may not be there. Will the money for the trike to get to the hospital be there? Another overnight stay? OMG!! This is the Philippines. No welfare! What few charities there are, IF ANY, are overwhelmed. This IS a 3rd world country my friends. NO TICKEE!! NO LAUNDRY!! Go ahead. Die.

I set this goal at $10,000 to last a YEAR for multiple expenditures. How about a suitable dwelling for a family with a sick kid whose constant enemy is BACTERIA??? Then the staggering medical costs. This will get Yuri the care he needs and hopefully extend his life. Rheumatic Heart victims typically lead short lives but the love in this family is limitless. Maybe a miracle. I am 76 years old. If I could make this happen with "lots" of people behind us, "the bowl full of nickels not the thimble full of quarters" approach maybe I get a couple of badly needed markers in the "good Karma column." Junah and her children have truly touched my heart. Thank you for any consideration. .....