Some Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Abu Dhabi have come up with a unique way to start an aid initiative that has now inspired various residents from all over the emirate to help—through a barter system.
A group of Filipinos—Yen Cantero, James Morales, and Lloyd Arceo—who are currently under no-work-no-pay have set up Traders Community Abu Dhabi (TCAD), a friendly platform in Abu Dhabi that offers barter as a system to help participants trade goods and services without using money.
Through this group, members have begun using the system to gather essential goods, which they then distribute to other Filipinos who are affected by the economic effects of coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
The 29-year-old accountant, who also handles the group’s social media postings, said TCAD became a bridge to help Filipinos deeply affected by the pandemic.
She added that they started the initiative because they heard heartbreaking stories of Filipinos who have truly taken a heavy blow due to being left redundant, or being put under unpaid leave—with some of them having babies to feed.
The group, she said, is now distributing relief packs to those in need all over Abu Dhabi—specifically in Najda, Corniche, Hamdan, and Baniyas.
“Marami pong challenges ang kinakaharap natin ngayon, but these challenges should also be the perfect avenue to bring back the essence of bayanihan. We give help regardless of race, skin or gender. We give help not for popularity but for the sole reason that it gives us happiness to help—nothing more. ‘Wag po tayong mahiyang mag tanong sa TCAD should you wish to help us,” he stressed.
Paguiran and Arceo also asked affected Filipinos not to lose faith, and not to be afraid to ask for help at this time.
“Just keep the faith po, magpakatatag tayo lalo sa panahong ito. Huwag na huwag po tayong susuko dahil may awa ang Diyos,” Paguiran said.
“Huwag po mahiyang humingi ng tulong kasi yun po ang katotohanan. Hindi po kakulangan sa pagiging tao if we ask for help. It is normal. Kaya po, andito lang kami para po tumulong sa inyo,” Arceo added.