A MOTHER’S PUREST GIFT : CHINIE JANE CHING TAGALA

While most countries were in strict lockdown due to the increasing number of people infected by the virus last early 2020, many concerned individuals in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, tried to lend a hand to those in need. One of them is an airline hostess living in Sharjah, UAE for eight years from the Southern part of the Philippines, Cebu City, named Chinie Jane Ching Tagala, also known as ‘Chin-Chin’.

Many years back, after her mother delivered her younger brother, he was always sent into a neonatal intensive care unit because her mother could not produce breastmilk. During that time, breastmilk donation was a challenge. It was an experience her family would never forget. Years passed, Chin-Chin got married and became a first-time moth er. She got a front-row seat to witness God’s miracle when she noticed that she was an over-supplier of breastmilk after giving birth to her daughter. She pumps almost 5 litres of breastmilk every day and sealed them in a milk container to freeze. One day, she heard a heart-breaking story that inspired her and led to her advocacy. A new born baby was separated from her mother right after it was delivered. Infected by the virus, the mother, passed away later on. ‘My heart breaks hearing this story. Imagine how painful it was for a mother who never got the chance to kiss and hug her baby,’ she says. This woeful scenario enabled her instinct to donate her breastmilk to that baby and brought her back to their experience when her younger brother’s life was at risk. Looking back to her family’s experience, she felt blessed with abundance in mother’s milk for her to share.

Her benevolence impacted the community and encouraged more and more mothers to join her. As of this writing, they continue donating breastmilk to more than 35 babies, including those who lost their mothers due to the Covid19 virus and mothers who cannot produce breastmilk.

Because of her remarkable ack of kindness, she was called the ‘Cow-Mama of UAE’ and received a humanitarian award given by H.H. Sheikha Jawaher Bint Khalifa Al Khalifa, Chairperson for the Sheikha Jawaher Al Khalifa Foundation for Youth Empowerment last April of 2021, and one of the #WeHEIS 2021 Awardees for Global Humanitarian Awards given by His Excellency Suhail Mohammad Al Zarooni last July of 2021.

Indeed, once a woman becomes a mother, she will have the purest and most unconditional form of love for children. As for Chin-Chin, being a mother is not limited to raising a child and providing for its needs. Her advocacy provided her with a different perspective of motherhood and the pleasure of its never-ending journey.

“To the kids, maybe you will not be able to meet me nor be able to know me. I want you to know that giving my love and a part of me to you is one of the most joyful part of my journeys as a woman and as a mother”. Chin-Chin said.