Amazing Women: Ms. Mel Nuqui

From the Rising Sun to Breaking DAWN

Ms. Mel Nuqui – Helping Filipino Migrants and their Children from Japan

Ms. Mel was first exposed to returning Filipino workers from Japan and their children when she worked with a foundation which helped these migrant workers. Working with these displaced workers she learned to understand and to empathize with the plight, travails and emotional upheaval these women were undergoing. Unfortunately, her stint with the foundation was short-lived.

In 1996, Ms. Mel, with friends, decided to set up DAWN, symbolizing a new beginning. From that acronym came, Development Action for Women Network.

DAWN is a non-government development organization established to assist returning Filipino women migrants from Japan and their Japanese-Filipino children by promoting and protecting their human rights and welfare. Its programs include the provision of psycho-social interventions especially for women entertainers, the establishment of alternative livelihood programs, the implementation of extensive and effective research, education and advocacy campaigns and network and linkage building with other concerned groups on women, children and migration issues.

Since its founding, Ms. Mel has devoted her energies towards the success of DAWN's programs and advocacy. She created opportunities and activities which will empower these women and help them adjust and reintegrate into mainstream Philippine society. Her JFC are growing and experiencing the angst, pain and struggles of a bi-cultural background. Through DAWN, she developed programs and activities for them. These efforts are bearing fruit and the children know that they are loved, cherished and appreciated regardless of parentage.

The stories of the women migrant workers are being documented. The Philippine Migrants Rights Watch (PMRW) and DAWN have published them in 3 volumes (so far) “Migrants' stories; Migrants' voices”. It is hoped that readers of these stories will better understand and appreciate our migrant Filipino workers – their situation, their needs and what they go through in order to give their families a better life. Theirs is not always a success story, there are many broken dreams.

DAWN has many programs and Ms. Mel, as Executive Director, has her hands full. Sikap-Buhay (SIKHAY), its alternative livelihood program, helps the re-integration of returned migrant women into Philippine society through its components of weaving, sewing and cosmetology/wellness, thus enabling them and their families regain and strengthen their sense of dignity and self-worth. Through its skills training and entrepreneurial orientation, market support program and livelihood formation support opportunities, Ms. Mel and DAWN have helped countless returning women workers re-establish themselves as useful and economically viable components of Philippine society. Through Gifts and Graces, the products of DAWN members are marketed to a wider audience.