MEETING WITH THE MIGRANTS

Sr Chatarina RGS

Tawau : Sr. Chatarina RGS, a  Good Shepherd sister from the Diocese of Ruteng, Flores, Indonesia and Imaculata Kurniasanti, a social worker for migrant and a partner of the Good Shepherd were in HTC Tawau to give a talk to around 170 Indonesian migrant workers in the parish hall on 22ndAugust 2010 after the BM mass.

 Sr Barbara RGS and Imaculata

One of the purpose of the talk was to raise awareness of the presence of a women crisis center in Sandakan, set up recently in the Diocese  by the Good Shepherd Sisters, under the invitation of Bishop Julius Gitom. 

A referring center has also been set up in the Holy Trinity  Parish under Sr. Barbara RGS, assisted by Ms Alisen.

The centre offers a safe haven and temporary shelter for women and girls in crisis situation and that also include human trafficked persons and migrants.

Most of the migrant workers came from Flores, many of whom came here without proper documents, leaving their families behind. They are often exploited as a source of cheap labour with poor living conditions. Those with children born here are also deprived of proper education.

 In addition, Sr Chatarina also took the opportunity to update them on the recent development, back home in Indonesia. 

"Indonesia is not the same now' she said. "It is a much more developed place with many areas being opened up for oil palm cultivation". 

With the skill and knowledge they acquired here, she encouraged them to return to Indonesia to cultivate their own land. She also encouraged them to learn enough to converse in English as foreign tourists are increasing in numbers back home.

The talk ended with a session on questions and answers.

Julita Domingo