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Leila Santos, Pilipina, Tunay na Lingkod Bayan
by Al Poliarco, Bayanihan Volunteer Staff
Bayanihan said farewell to the Philippine Embassy consulate Leila Santos, one of the finest foreign civil servants from the Philippines. Bayanihan is truly appreciative of the work she has done with us.
In times of need, knocking at the door of the Philippine Embassy in the Netherlands was not always easy. Leila’s professionalism and passion for serving Filipinos in the Netherlands for the last six years has changed many people’s impressions about the Philippine Embassy’s staff. During her term, she was a true “kakabayan” foreign civil servant. It was Leila’s warm welcome and follow through with the assistance we needed that made a visit to the embassy a gratifying experience. She gave time to listen, problem solved with us, and provided genuine care for the needs of women by helping them to meet their needs during visits to the embassy.
On June 23, a farewell gathering was hosted by the Bayanihan board members, staff, and volunteers to honor Leila before her departure. The nippy weather that evening at Diana and Wim Oosterbeek’s home was warmed by words of gratitude. Every woman that attended gave a spoken tribute to Leila for her six years of service to the Filipino community. Leila was joined by her husband, Ian Santos, and their four children.
Bayanihan is truly grateful for Leila’s service to Filipinas who have suffered being away from their homeland, families and friends, and their communities, as well as adjusting to a new life and experience in the Netherlands. Leila became a key partner with Bayanihan in reaching out and lending a hand to many of them – providing resources and information that could make the transition to their adopted home bearable. During her warm speech she told the Bayanihan crowd that she was grateful for Bayanihan for learning a lot about “hulpverlening “, the Dutch way. Bayanihan in return was appreciative of the way the Philippine Embassy, in the person of Consul Santos coordinated with Bayanihan in assisting “kababayans” who were in the problem situations and also in supporting them with their lobby work for au pairs in the Philippines.
It was difficult to say goodbye to a much appreciated civil servant, but everyone is content that after a much deserved break at home in the Philippines, Leila will continue in her next international assignment to assist Filipinas away from home as a tunay na lingkod bayan, a true and dedicated civil servant.
Maraming salamat sa iyo Consul Leila Santos, from Bayanihan!
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