Former OFW in Dubai goes blind after Kenyan woman throws acid in her face

A Filipino who used to work in Dubai went blind after a Kenyan woman threw acid in her face.

According to a “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho” episode on Sunday, Annalynn Macarandan in 2007 flew to Dubai. She later on met a Kenyan named “George”.

Last March 2018, Annalynn went to “George’s” place to get her shoes. After she got them, she asked if she could use the bathroom. But someone else was using the toilet so she had to wait.

While she was waiting, someone approached her and threw acid in her face.

“Dito sa ulo ko. Nagfo-flow siya pababa ng mata ko, balikat ko, sa arms ko. And then, itong mga legs ko,” said Annalynn.

[She poured it over my head. It burned my eyes, my shoulders, my arms and even my legs.)

She was rushed to a hospital. She suffered second to third degree burns from the incident. Both her eyes could barely see anything. Her right eye had been damaged to the point that it almost closed.

The investigation by United Arab Emirates authorities identified the attacker as a Kenyan woman. Overseas Workers Welfare Administration’s Hans Cacdac confirmed that she was related to Annalynn’s friend and coworker “George.”

Annalynn later found out that “George” was in a relationship with the Kenyan woman.

“Kaya niya daw nagawang buhusan ako kasi nakita daw niya na may ginagawa kaming hindi maganda. Hinding-hindi po totoo iyon dahil hinding-hindi po mangyayari iyon,” said Annalynn.

[She said she threw acid at me because she thought that George and I were having an affair. That’s not true because nothing happened.]

She admitted that George courted her in the past but she rejected him because he’s younger than her.

Since the accident, Annalynn had undergone reconstructive surgery six times. She also received advice to have her eyes checked in the Philippines.

She flew back to the Philippines to consult a specialist. They said that therewas still hope for her to regain her vision in her left eye. She would need to undergo a series of tests and surgery to get a new cornea.

Meanwhile, the offender continued to serve her sentence in Dubai.

The OWWA administrator said the Kenyan national was found guilty and convicted in January 2019, adding that she would be facing 7 years of imprisonment and the Kenyan woman would be deported too.

Annalynn shared that sometimes the burnt areas hurt, especially during summer time. But said that she had already forgiven her attacker and began to move on.

“Nagawa niya man ito, pinatawad ko na siya. Sana hanapin niya ang Diyos.”
[Even if she did this to me, I’ve already forgiven her. I just hope that she finds God in her life.]  – Kaela Malig/RC, GMA News

For those who want to help Annalynn, please deposit to:

China Bank Savings
ACCOUNT NAME: ANNALYNN B. MACARANDAN
ACCOUNT NUMBER: 616802023171