Phl cites Kenyan expat for helping Yolanda victims

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines recognized the heroism of a Kenyan laundry attendant in Qatar for his humanitarian effort for Super Typhoon Yolanda victims after he donated a month’s salary to the relief efforts.

A year after the devastation left by Typhoon Yolanda, Philippine Ambassador to Qatar Crescente Relacion personally presented a certificate of recognition to Hezron Jeremiah Onyango, a Kenyan worker at the InterContinental Doha The City.

Onyango donated his one-month salary of QR1,057 (about P12,900) to a fundraiser to help the families of workers from the Philippines who were victimized by the typhoon.

The presentation of the certificate of recognition was held last Dec. 17 after a general meeting of hotel employees.

Public relations and communications manager Victoria Benz said InterContinental Doha The City held their own fundraising initiative, to which Onyango made his donation. The beneficiaries were eight Filipino employees of Intercontinental Doha whose families were affected by Typhoon Yolanda. The donation was given to the beneficiaries in cash.

Onyango was reportedly inspired by his upbringing in Nairobi and by his Filipino colleagues at the hotel.

For his heroism, Onyango was honored with a runner-up award in the Unsung Hero category at the recent Hotelier Middle East Awards held in Dubai. Several local English news dailies in Doha also did feature stories on Onyango.