By Joey Aguilar/Staff Reporter

An organisation in Qatar has launched a unique way of generating funds to help bring distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) back home.
Dubbed as “Awit Mo Kalayaan Ko (Your song, my freedom),” the project gives music lovers a chance to show their singing prowess and at the same time help those who want to go back to their homeland.
“Every riyal counts. Singers can donate small or big amounts,” said Alvin Bongon, secretary of Sarong Boses Qatar (One Voice Qatar).
Proceeds will be used to buy plane tickets for hundreds of distressed OFWs who are staying at the Philippine overseas labour office (POLO).
Bongon said that the group has partnered with Boracay restaurant which has a videoke where expatriate workers could sing and relax especially during weekends.
The videoke also allows amateur and professional singers to perform while the audience can request for their favourite songs.
Led by Sarong Boses Qatar (SBQ) chairman Alvin Salomon, the project for a cause only started in December last year but it has already produced two tickets, which are given to the Overseas Workers Welfare
Administration (OWWA) office.
One of the beneficiaries included a Filipina housemaid who reportedly suffered from psychiatric problems while working here in Doha.
The 34-year-old from Masbate, married with six children, came to Qatar in October last year. However, she reportedly had problems with her employer and then sought the help of OWWA.
Missing her family, children and relatives, she experienced depression for which she underwent treatment in a hospital.
Upon her recovery, welfare officer Philip Alano gave the plane ticket to her on January 18 with the presence of SBQ adviser Willet Liquido and some officers and members of the group. She was also given additional funds to continue her medication. Then, she was flown back to the Philippines.
Bongon stressed that the funds generated from the project are solely used to buy plane tickets for the OFWs.
He estimates that in six weeks, donations could reach an amount that could buy one plane ticket ranging from QR1,800 to QR2,500.
Described as a “unique but simple project”, it was conceptualised by Angel Sarte, one of the directors, who was thinking of coming up with a noble endeavor which will be spearheaded by SBQ.
The organisation was established in 2010 with just seven members. Now, it has more than 100 active members who are mostly working in various
companies in Qatar.