After winning battle against COVID-19, this OFW gave out relief goods to her old barangay in the Philippines

After winning the battle against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) from Hong Kong decided to give back and help out her old barangay who is struggling amid the pandemic.

Jinkie Alhambra, who has been working as an OFW for over 15 years considers surviving COVID-19 as a second chance in life. She wants to use it purposefully by giving back.

"More than thankful, yung taos puso mong pasasalamat kulang ang buhay mo na ibalik para magpasalamat, pero I am very thankful na binigyan niya ako ng second chance," she said.

Jinkie who has returned to work said she wanted to help her fellow Filipinos who are struggling amid the pandemic.

Amid her 23-day battle against COVID-19, Jinkie received financial assistance from Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and Hong Kong.

But she decided to donate it to the Barangay Sto. Cristo in Dasmarinas, Cavite where she used to live for over 25 years.

"Wala naman akong binayaran sa hospital tapos ako pa nag-gain," she said. "And then nagkakaroon din tayo ng problema sa Pilipinas, lalo na doon sa barangay where we lived before. I just want to do some thanksgiving."

"Pumasok lang sa isip ko, why don't I donate this?" She said.

Jinkie kickstarted her donation campaign called #COVID19OFWBAYANIHAN.

"It is a heed to a call sa ating mga OFW. Ang mga kababayan natin sa Pilipinas nangangailangan po sila ng tulong natin."

Jinkie made the distribution of relief good donations possible through her friend Arlene, who is a stay-at-home mother living in Barangay Sto. Cristo.

"'Yung kumare ko, she's a stay at home mom at nandun naman siya nakatira sa dating barangay. Pina-canvass ko magkano, sa anitong amount ilan ang mabibili natin?" She said.

Jinkie and her fellow OFWs garnered P30,000 on their first wave of donations.

"Nagpapasalamat po ako sa lahat ng tumulong sakin dito dahil sa tiwala niyo sa akin dahil sa sitwasyon sa Pinas, hindi kayo naatubili na tumulong at makalikom tayo ng pera," she said.

Jinkie is now looking for ways to donate masks for frontliners.

"Bilang isang survivor, natutuwa akong nalampasan natin si COVID, nanalo tayo sa kanila at itong second chance na ibinigay satin ng panginoon ay sana wag natin sayangin gawin natin ang lahat ng bagay paano natin mauuplift ang ating pamilya at mga nagkakaroon ng sakit ng COVID."

Aside from the donations, Jinkie also underwent a series of tests to know whether or not she can donate her blood plasma to help those who are still battling COVID-19.

Despite having their own families to feed, the OFWs did not hesitate to send help to their fellow Filipinos who are in need. — Jannielyn Ann Bigtas/LA, GMA News