Mrs. Komathi, a widow, and nurse by qualification, aged 46, lived with her two daughters and her mother in Ennore, Chennai. Her daughters were studying Under-graduation courses at Ethiraj College for Women, Chennai. The elder daughter recently got married and settled in Chennai. Being a single woman, she went through a financial crisis and decided to apply for a job in Kuwait. One of her friends shared the contact details of a person who provides nursing jobs in Kuwait. Trusting her friend and the contact person she moved to Kuwait, after paying Rs. 35,000 to the contact person. When she reached Kuwait, she was picked up by an owner who placed her in a home where she was asked to nurse old persons for three months. She felt comfortable. Later, she was shifted to another house where she was asked to work as a domestic employee.
In this new place, she was tortured and ill-treated. She was not given proper shelter and food. She underwent humiliation and exploitation. She was not paid for three months. She became mentally sick and traumatized. She was not allowed to go to a hospital. Unable to bear the torture and stress, she ran away from the house and landed in the Indian embassy in Kuwait.
She met some people, cried, and shared her story, but could not find anyone to support her. She also found many migrants waiting to receive the white passport at the Indian embassy. A white passport is issued by the Indian embassy to deport distressed migrants to India. By chance, she met a woman named Mrs. Grace Mary. Grace, hearing the pathetic story of Komathi, accommodated her in her house. Komathi took up some work to fulfil her basic needs. Komathi prayed to God daily, that she might be sent back to India soon.
Mrs. Grace Mary contacted Mr. Stephen, the field- staff of JMMEx, who in turn informed Fr. Velankanni, the Director of JMMEx. Velanganni contacted a person who works as a Human Rights counsellor in Kuwait. This person helped Komathi to return to Indian Embassy. As there were no allegations or remarks on Komathi she received her white passport in a short time and returned to India safely.
Komathi came along with her aged mother and profusely thanked JMMEx for bringing her back safely. She said, “My eyes have seen God, the God of humanity and love, who listens to the cry of the poor through ISI Bangalore & JMMEx”.
Fr. Manickam SJ,
Asst. Director of JMMEx