Child and mum struggling to avail during amnesty
This is one of the youngest illegal residents in the UAE. And her mother is hoping that the current immigration amnesty means the pair will finally be able return to their native Philippines.
One-year-old Zoe Sophia and her mum, Raquel Balibat, have been relying on the kindness of strangers to put a roof over their heads for the past few months.
Balibat, 33, came to Dubai on a tourist visa in January 2011 to look for work. Zoe was born in the UAE but does not have a passport.
Balibat says she initially got a job as a domestic help and then part-time work in a hotel, but she was working illegally as she did not have a visa. She said: “I’ve tried to make both ends meet but I don’t know how I can give my daughter a good future. I cannot find a regular job here in Dubai, but we cannot
go home because of our overstaying fines.”
Eventually, the pair were thrown out of their accommodation as they could not keep up with the rent. Meanwhile, Balibat’s husband, who had a visa, returned to the Philippines for work.
They really hit rock bottom when they had no choice but to sleep on a bench for a couple of nights in an alley in Satwa. Filipinos living nearby rallied round to help and gave them shelter in a villa.
Noven Guillermo, a maid who helped Balibat, said: “I admire her courage. Despite the series of unfortunate events, she did not abandon her baby. As a mother, I know how much she loves her daughter and I hope they can finally have a fresh start.”
The Ministry of Interior announced that a reprieve would run for those without visas for two months, starting from December 4 and running until February 3.
Major General Nasser Awadi Al Menhali, assistant undersecretary for naturalisation, residency and ports affairs at the ministry, said at the time: “All illegal residents can visit residency departments across the UAE to obtain out-passes and leave the country without penalties.”
Balibat now faces a race against time to raise cash for plane tickets for her and her daughter. She said: “I have an opportunity to start over and put things in order.”
news@7days.ae
Comments
by Dioshyl Anne Cabalquinto
Wednesday, April 03 2013, 12:45PM
“Kabayan, you did not get a permanent job since you arrivede in the UAE, then why did u let yourself got pregnant? Now you are depending on other people and the ministry's mercy to let you go back to Philippines. Why didn't u thought about the consequences before getting pregnant? And what about your husband? After returning to the Philippines, he did not take any actions about you and your child's situation?... I am not judging you or anyone, I just do not understand why people keep on committing themselves in situations where they knew from the very start that in the end it will be them and their kids will suffer.”
by Len
Monday, February 04 2013, 12:35PM
“After getting out pass from embassy in amnesty can she come back in the UAE any time ?”
by Surjit Gill
Thursday, January 24 2013, 12:00AM
“but even after getting out pass from embassy in amnesty she and her child has to stay in jail.
Yeah this is rule in uae. why like this????”
by rocky_bubbles
Sunday, December 30 2012, 3:01PM
“Hi... Kindly give us her location as her mobile 0503376496 seems off of inactive.. We want to visit her and give some support.
Thanks”
by Henry Lamparas
Sunday, December 30 2012, 9:03AM
“To those generous people who wanted to help this little angel and her mom, you can contact them at this number 0503376496 or call the 7days to get more info.
Life is so temporary in this world, so why to keep all the material things when we can't take them when we die. Share and help the needy people and surely, god has already bought a ticket for your to heaven and he's prepared a gold house for you there.
God has started pouring his blessing into your lap and sooner or later it will overflow.
Luke 6:38
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
God bless us all!”
by Salim Mohammed
Thursday, December 27 2012, 6:05PM
“Atos. contact the 7days office directly , obviously they will let them know..
very kind of you”
by Alots Lim Varona
Thursday, December 27 2012, 5:46PM
“I tried calling Raquel Balibat but it seems that her phone is switched off. Our family wants to help her and her daughter Zoe by sponsoring their plane tickets back to the Philippines.”
by Ehra Obligar
Thursday, December 27 2012, 1:05PM
“For those who want to help Raquel, she can be reached at 0503376496 while Noven's mobile number is 050-2287459..Thank you!”
by rolzaa
Thursday, December 27 2012, 12:48PM
“I would also like to help Zoe & Mum. Could you send some contact details my way in order to enable me to do so? Thanks.”
by Mallking
Thursday, December 27 2012, 12:34PM
“I would also be very willing to contribute to flight tickets back to their home country. Please 7 days provide us with some contact details for this mother and baby or ask them to contact me col_inward@hotmail.com”