PF Philippines works with PF Suriname to help young mother
When a young mother from the Philippines finds herself in prison with her young baby in Suriname, she is helped by PF in both countries.
Five agencies worked together, although thousands of miles apart, to bring about some common good. Emeka Isaiah was born to Marietta, a Filipina, who encountered some problems in the country of Suriname. Marietta is an inmate in Suriname, a country located between French Guiana to the east and Guyana to the west in northern South America.
Prison Fellowship Suriname worked to provide Marietta, who was then an expectant mother, a good diet and care. Care also meant linking up with the Child Welfare Council, which approved the stay of the baby with one of the volunteers who goes to jail once a week. In view of the baby’s travel documentation, PF Suriname asked PF Philippines to make representation with the Philippine government.
PF Philippines wrote to the Department of Foreign Affairs which referred the name of the Philippine ambassador with the responsibility over consular affairs, among others, in the government of Suriname. The embassy, through its Consular Services, informed PF Philippines that it is coordinating with the government of Suriname about Marietta’s case. Likewise, the embassy will also coordinate with PF Suriname regarding the information on obtaining travel documents for Emeka Isaiah. PF Philippines also notified Marietta’s family of her and the baby’s impending trip back to the Philippines.
