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A GROUP of dedicated and big-hearted young female professionals are preparing to celebrate the third anniversary of helping their 'sisters in distress' with a series of fund-raising events.
The friends have been actively extending a helping hand to fellow Filipinos who have fallen on hard times after seeking a better life in Bahrain.
Under the umbrella of 'Phenomena Productions' the18 women, aged from 21 to 35, are planning two major events to raise funds for the Philippine Embassy's OWWA - Overseas Workers' Welfare Administration, which helps lowly-paid domestic helpers in dire need of assistance.
Former president Leslie Garduque said: "We are just a 'socio-civic' group seeking women empowerment and aim to offer aid and help to all the women in our community who need it.
"We are not an official organisation, just a group of friends who want to help. Over the past three years we have received very favourable feedback and have also received support from various other Filipino organisations in Bahrain."
As part of the anniversary celebrations, on Friday, the group is organising a thanksgiving dinner at the OWWA office which is currently supporting 82 destitute women and four children.
Leslie said: "We will be giving away telephone cards as well as toiletries to them. Although they receive support from the embassy such as food and shelter there is always a shortage of daily necessities."
Leslie, 28 from Mahouz, was one of four founding members who came together after witnessing the hardships faced by less fortunate members of their community.
She explained: "A few months ago we were able to help a woman who had lost her job in Bahrain and needed to return home. We were able to collect enough money to buy her an airline ticket as well as a little spending money for the journey. She was so happy and grateful - it warmed our hearts to see the difference we made to her life."
Phenomena Productions will also be staging a Sun Kiss Beach Party on October 8 at the Marina Club in Manama. Last year a similar event attracted 300 guests. A seminar will later be held to help enhance their organising and management skills, enabling them to organise even better events that will attract more support.
Current president, Cristina 'tats' Fulgacio, 31, from Adliya, said: "We all belong to a wide variety of professional fields including the media, logistics, cosmetics and manufacturing. However, we have a common ambition to continue organising successful events and making a difference in the community."
