Janette Camba is going home
The news was dire and she was just beginning her life in Canada.
In 2009, Janette Camba, then 34 years old, was diagnosed with renal failure, just 1 year after her arrival in Canada on a visa under the Temporary Foreign Workers (TFW) Program.
But she was declared fit to go when she underwent the exhaustive medical exam that was part of the process to enter Canada. It was an emotional time, her leaving – she waited for 6-8 months for her visa to come, and tore her heart out thinking of the family that she would leave behind – a husband and children, 14 and 5 years young. But she knew – thought – the rewards were greater than the sacrifice she had to make.
But in just her first year in Canada – she had to contend with another reality: renal failure.
“Namaga yung paa ko. Sabi ko sa doctor, may gout ako. Without doing any tests, binigyan ako ng pills for gout. Eh masama pala yun sa kin. (My feet were swollen so I saw the doctor. I told them I had history of gout. Without even doing any tests, they gave me pills. It was the pills that made it worse for me). Before I knew it, I was diagnosed with renal failure,” she said.
Renal failure occurs when one suffers from gradual and usually permanent loss of kidney function over time.
What came next were dialysis treatments that would leave her dizzy and weak after every treatment.
No Stone Unturned
Janette’s employer, Tim Hortons, kept her on and was by her side every painful step. They filed a Labour Market Opinion (LMO) for her (to essentially extend her contract) but it was denied since there was no proof about the efforts made to recruit and/or train willing and available Canadian citizens/permanent residents.
At the urging of her employer, she tried her luck in Alberta and was hired. But before she could leave, the employer knew about her dialysis treatments and cancelled her work permit.
In the midst of the denial of her employer’s LMO application and cancellation of her supposedly new work permit – she lost her lawful status in Canada.
“Na-out of status ako (I was declared as ‘out of status’). Nung March 2012, I had to stop work. Kinausap ako ng Immigration Officer (the Immigration Officer talked to me). Removal na after September 30 (I have to leave Canada by September 30 or I will be removed).”
According to the Canada Border Services Agency (CSBA) website, if a CSBA officer or a member of the Immigration Refugee Board’s Immigration Division determines that a person has breached the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, he or she may issue one of the following removal orders:
Departure order: A departure order requires that the person leave Canada within 30 days after the order becomes enforceable.
Exclusion order: A person who has been removed as a result of an exclusion order cannot return to Canada for one year unless the written permission of the CBSA is obtained. However, people who are issued exclusion orders for misrepresentation cannot return for two years without written authorization from the CBSA.
Deportation order: A person who has been removed as a result of a deportation order is permanently barred from returning to Canada. Such people may never return unless they receive written permission from the CBSA.
Janette was given a Departure Order.
She did not lose hope. With her employer and many friends (most of them customers to whom she served freshly brewed coffee every morning), she sought the help of immigration attorneys and the Hon. Mable Elmore. But because she already had a Departure Order, their hands were tied and they could no longer help her.
Your Help is Needed
What Janette has is Stage 5 chronic kidney disease, wherein there is total or near-total loss of kidney function. According to eMedicineHealth, there is dangerous accumulation of water, waste, and toxic substances, and most individuals in this stage of kidney disease need dialysis or transplantation to stay alive.
Janette was told that she would need a transplantation. The Philippine Canadian Inquirer confirmed with the National Kidney and Transplant Institute in the Philippines – where she will have it done – that the cost is Php1,000,000 or about CAD$25,000.00.
People have been very supportive and doing what they can to help Janette raise this amount. To them, Janette she says, “Overwhelmed ako sa mga taong tumutulong. Maraming maraming salamat (I am overwhelmed with all the help I am receiving. To all who helped and are helping – thank you so much).”
In fact, it was one of her customers who contacted Philippine Canadian Inquirer so she can tell her story.
In leaving Canada, Janette remains optimistic – looking to her children and her family for strength. “Ngayon ko lang ulit makakasama yung mga anak ko sa birthday nila. Umuwi ako nung 2010 pero 4 years ko na silang hindi nakakasama sa birthday nila (I can be with my kids this time during their birthdays. I went home in 2010 but it has been 4 years since I was with them on any of their birthdays),” she said.
On September 30, she leaves for the Philippines.
To those who want to help and support Janette, you can bring your donations to the following Tim Hortons branches: Marine drive (604) 983-8729, West Queens (604) 988-9968 and Mtn. Highway (604) 986-9114.