One of the groups of people in the Fil-Aus community which had been adversely impacted by the pandemic are the international students. A lot of the international students are here to undertake studies which enable them to help their families back in the Philippines from their earnings from the twenty hours of employment per week that their student visa allow them to earn as well as a possible pathway of gaining permanent residence visa down the track.
Coming over as international students entails a lot of sacrifices of being away from their loved ones and taking on whatever any honest jobs they can get ie kitchen hand, cook, cleaner, etc. They also incur great debt to afford the expensive tuition fees that they have to pay, and some mortgage their homes. With the closure of small businesses, the international students lost their part time jobs and have to rely on assistance provided by community organisations.
One of these organisations providing assistance to the international students is the Multicultural Assistance Task Force MATF, founded by Dr Cen Amores. The Grace Church which is one of the members of MATF brought to Cen's attention the sad plight of an international student, Marnelli Agtang. Cen then referred Marnelli to The Australian Filipina for help to publicise Marnelli's plea for help.
Marnelli shared that her mother, Marilyn was hospitalised and subsequently passed away. Before her body could be released to the funeral parlour, the family had to raise money to pay the hospital bill. They also had to pay the funeral parlour the full amount before her mother could be buried. The family had borrowed money and now have to repay what they borrowed.
Marnelli Agtang is from Paranaque City, Philippines. She is the eldest of two children, having a younger brother. Before she came to Australia, she worked in a food manufacturing company for eight years (2010-2018); first as secretary to the general manager for 3.5 years and as purchasing assistant for 4.5 years. She applied for a student visa through an educational agent and arrived in Australia in March 2019. She finished a course in Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management in January 2021.
We are sharing our Q&A interview with Marnelli to gain some insight into her persona and what big hardship that she is appealing for help.
What do you consider to be your achievements of being here in Australia?
I was able to finish my course in Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management last January 2021.
I am currently working as a Child Care Educator for more than a year now. I am planning to take another course in Early Childhood Education. Also, I am able to support my family in the Philippines while studying here through my part time job.
On the flipside, what difficulties and challenges did you face and overcome?
In our current situation, most of the international students here are struggling. Everything is uncertain. My work has been affected by the lockdown.
I am currently residing in Canley Vale which is part of Fairfield (LGA of concern). I am not not getting any shifts at the child care since most of the students are studying at home. I am very fortunate that I was able to get by with the support of some Pinoy international student groups, church and other organisations. I am also lucky that I have been granted a Covid-19 Disaster Payment from the government.
If you can change something you have done or experienced in the past, what would they be?
I don't have any regrets of coming here in Australia. I love the country and it's an achievement to be able to get here.
If there's one thing I would change is the first course I took up.
What health issues did your Mother endure?
My mum was a stroke patient for fourteen years. She was sixty four years old. She had a breast operation last July 2021. She was supposed to undergo chemotherapy but sadly she wasn't able to make it. She was diagnosed with Stage IV Breast Cancer. My mum was admitted at Olivarez General Hospital in Paranaque City.
What hardship did you face when your mother passed away?
The hospital bill reached up to Php300,000.00 less the senior citizen discount and PhilHealth benefit. We struggled to bring her home because we weren't able to pay the bill in full. We just made a deposit of some amount. My mum stayed in the funeral home for 2 days. During that time we can't bring her home until we provide her death certificate; which can only be released by the hospital once we paid the balance in full.
My relatives organised a fund raising for my mum and even appealed to some government officials. But still not enough to pay our bill. The hospital asked for collateral from us; unfortunately we don't have any assets to give. We then decided to borrow money from one of our close neighbours with the amount of Php120,000.00 (about AUD$3,500) which we need to pay back as soon as possible.
How can people extend their help to you?
I am knocking in your good hearts to please help my family in paying back a huge debt resulting from hospital bill due to the sudden death of my mum. Any help will do. We will definitely appreciate any help that you could give us. In memory of our loving mother, we would like to thank you in advance and my God Bless you always.
I would be most grateful to receive your donation through my bank account:
COMMONWEALTH BANK
Account Name: MARNELLI AGTANG
BSB: 062-336
Account number: 1043-8461
The Australian Filipina extends sincere condolences to Marnelli for the loss of her dear mother and hope that people's generosity would be extended in response to her appeal.