Rowena

Rowena was born on a very tiny island called Lubang Island, in Mindoro Philippines in 1963. She is the middle child to two brothers and 5 sisters. Her dad was a contractor and Mom raised the children. Rowena finished High School and went on to College to receive a degree in Business Management and a Secretarial course.

She moved to Hong Kong China in November of 1989. She wanted to support herself. At this time her father was losing his memory. She was only planning to stay there for 2 years, as a contractor as a nanny. She ended up supporting her family at this time. She was the primary “bread winner”. She stayed for 15 years in Hong Kong.

In April 2005 to June 2005 she went home to see family in Philippines before coming to Canada.

In June 2005 she applied to come to Canada as there was contract work here as a nanny. Her work visa came through and she looked after a family of one child. When she came the employer told her she had to cut her contract after 15 days of being here. She needed to look for a new employer.

She found a new employer in September of 2005 to a family of 4. two boys aged 8 and 10. In 2008 her immigration papers expired because the family refused to fill them out for her. In April of 2008 she found out she was 2 months pregnant with a man she had met in 2006.

In May she was kicked out of her employer’s house because of her pregnancy. She moved in with her baby’s father.

Rowena was 26 weeks into her pregnancy when Amanda was born. She was 1lb, 12 oz. Kept in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for 7 ½ months. She was born with Down syndrome, hardening of the lower chamber of heart, lung hypertension, and asthma.

At 3 ½ months she had heart surgery.

In May of 2009 Amanda’s father drove Amanda to the police station with no car seat and on his lap. He walked into the police station high on drugs and informing police that there are dead people in the living room of his home and Rowena’s life was in danger. Police surrounded her house, with dogs and guns drawn. Ordered Rowena out of the house. Police drove her to the police station to get Amanda and sent him to the hospital for help. They found a pellet gun in the car.

In June of 2009, they were evicted from her home. Rowena called child services and they moved them to the Sheriff King Home. They were now homeless. Amanda was receiving daily injections for the blood clot she developed after heart surgery.

After spending 7 weeks at the Sheriff King Home they moved to Margaret Chisholm. In April of 2010 Amanda’s Godfather learned they were in a shelter, and he felt an obligation to her. They moved into their home for 9 months, until the Godfather moved to a new city. At this time Amanda became sick and had to spend 3 weeks at the Hospital.

She met a friend who needed a sitter for her child while she worked. Rowena moved in to watch the child and looked after him. With no money and no immigration papers, she could not claim Alberta Works. She did receive $62 dollars every 3 months for GST as she did file her income tax. The “friend” was abusive. Called Amanda ugly and stupid, even slapped her. Rowena moved out.

The saga continues for a few years - moving 5 times almost every year.

In August of 2011 she moved back into Margaret Chisholm, and sought help from the Calgary Catholic immigration services.

Rowena was now facing another eviction from the centre, as it is a temporary shelter. She applied for Calgary Housing Company (CHC) and was declined, told her file would be reviewed in one year and there was no space. She would be left on the streets, with a child with health problems, Amanda was now on oxygen and using a CPAP at night. She was desperate and went to the CHC to beg for help. (This is when she broke down in tears, while I interviewed her.)

She got her immigration papers in June of 2012. After meeting with the Immigration Officer. The officer asked her why she should let her stay in Canada, Rowena’s reply was:

“If you wish to send me back, that's fine with me. But Amanda will deteriorate, there is no help in my country for a child like Amanda. She is a Canadian Citizen."

In August Rowena received a call from CHC to tell her they have a place for her to look at. They asked her to come and look at it and if she liked it she could take the unit. She responded with, “I like it already, it’s a home!” August 21^st Rowena received the key to her and Amanda’s new home.

Amanda is now 7 and doing well despite her many health issues. She has vision, pulmonary, dental, cardio, immunology, sleep clinic, nutritionist appointments that are always ongoing. She is still fed through a G-tube. She is a delightful girl with many giggles, smiles, and LOVES to dance.

Rowena has now finally been able to see a Doctor for her own ongoing health issues. And recently had surgery to repair her ear. She has this message to everyone who might be going through the same things:

“Be strong, have faith. Have faith in God and yourself. You will make it, it is hard even though all the negativity is staring at you. I strongly believe in the power of mind, positive thought."
Her motto - "Never surrender.”