Daughter feeds and bathes mother who is locked in a room because of a mental illness

An old woman with mental illness has been locked inside a room with rusty rails. Her daughter, Ara, visits her twice a week to feed her, brush her teeth, and bathe her.

According to a “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho” episode on Sunday, Nimfa (not her real name) can usually be seen staring into space, talking to herself, and at times, showing aggression.

“Nilinisan ko nang maayos para ’di siya magkasakit. Kahit mahirap kami pero pinakita po ko sa kanya na mahal ko po siya,” said Ara.

("I clean her room properly so she won’t get sick. Even though we’re poor, I want to show her that I love her.")

The daughter then goes back home to Kinderhilfe Philippines, an orphanage in Padre Burgos, Southern Leyte, where she grew up since her mother couldn’t take care of her.

Ara admitted that she felt jealous every time she saw someone who had a complete family because she had never experienced it for herself. When she was 10, she was told about the reality of her mother’s condition.

Nimfa had been locked in the room for the past six years, and even if Ara visited weekly, her mother did not recognize her.

“Masakit po para sa akin dahil nagkaganyan na ang isip ni mama, hindi siya normal. At nagbakasakali po ako na sana po gumaling na po siya.”

("It hurts me that my mama’s mental state turned out like this. I’m still hoping that she’d recover someday.")

Nimfa’s story

According to her relatives, Nimfa began to change when she went to Manila. Her sister Leticia said Nimfa was homesick, sad, and deep in thought when she was there.

When she came back home to Southern Leyte, she no longer spoke, often stared into space, and hardly ate.

According to her relatives, Nimfa had been confined several times in a mental health facility and even got injections. But the family stopped the treatment.

Road to recovery

The last time Nimfa was brought to a checkup was in 2000. Upon Ara’s request, the local government unit of Padre Burgos brought her mother to Tacloban.

The doctor advised that it was better for Nimfa to stay at home but she had to take her medicine regularly.

Upon learning about Nimfa’s situation, the KMJS team provided a few months’ worth of medicine to her.

The municipal health office also promised to monitor Nimfa’s condition.

Ara, who’s still studying, can take charge of caring for her mother once she finishes her schooling and is able to leave the foundation.

“Kaya nga mag-aaral muna ako para sa mama ko para maiahon po siya sa sitwasyon niya ngayon,” Ara said.

("I’m trying my best to finish schooling so I can give my mom a better life.")

“Palagi ko pong ipagpe-pray kay Lord na sana po na bigyan Niya kami ng pagkakataong magpasyal kasama ko siya.”

("I pray that one day, we’d be able to go out like other people.")

– Kaela Malig/RC, GMA News

To those who want to help Ara and her mother “Nimfa,” please deposit to:

Philippine National Bank
Branch: Maasin City, Souther Leyte
Name: Ara Ranque
Account number: 313510166006
Contact Number: 0951364010