Mary Chris Alonso, a 32-year-old mother from Balayan, Batangas, dreamed of a brighter future for her two young sons, Jairo and Miko. With her husband Ruben earning a meager income as a tricycle driver, she made the difficult decision many Filipinos face: seeking work overseas. In May 2019, a Manila recruitment agency placed her as a domestic helper with the Al-Salem family in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The promise of a good salary, enough to lift her family from poverty, came with a hefty placement fee, forcing Mary Chris to borrow money. Saying goodbye to her husband and tearfully hugging her children in June 2019, she left with promises of a better life. Upon arrival, her employers, Mohamed Al-Salem, his wife Nora, and their three children, initially seemed kind.

However, the reality of her job quickly turned grim. Mary Chris found herself working nearly non-stop, from early morning until late at night, with little rest. Exhaustion and hunger became constant companions. Soon, Nora’s true nature emerged. Simple mistakes were met with shouting and, increasingly, physical violence. Mary Chris endured the abuse, clinging to the thought of her children back home.

In August 2019, when she tentatively asked for a few hours of rest, her male employer, Mohamed, harshly warned her never to complain again. Fear began to replace her initial determination. The dream of providing for her family morphed into a seemingly inescapable nightmare. Nights became her only time for reflection, filled with dread and uncertainty about how long she could endure.

The abuse escalated. Mary Chris was deprived of adequate food, often leaving her weak and malnourished. Mistakes, like accidentally breaking a glass, resulted in physical assaults, such as being slapped by Nora in front of the children. She felt her self-worth eroding under the constant barrage of insults and mistreatment.

A small glimmer of hope appeared through Fatima, another Filipina OFW working next door. Despite rules forbidding interaction with neighbors, they managed brief, hushed exchanges when Mary Chris took out the trash. Fatima noticed Mary Chris’s pale appearance and bruises, and Mary Chris cautiously shared snippets of her ordeal. Fatima promised to find help.

While waiting, Mary Chris’s suffering continued. One night, after a grueling day, she pleaded again for rest, only to be met with another sharp threat from Mohamed. Her spirit waned under the weight of fear and homesickness. Then, a secret message arrived from Fatima, providing the name of a potential rescuer: Samir, a taxi driver connected to a group helping distressed OFWs.

Hope rekindled, Mary Chris began planning her escape. She continued her duties diligently but secretly gathered her few belongings and her passport, hiding them carefully. On the night of October 22, finding her employers asleep, she seized her chance. Slipping out through a kitchen window, she ran into the cold night, clutching her small bag.

Using a hidden cellphone, she called Samir, describing her location. He arrived quickly in his old taxi and drove her towards safety. The journey was fraught with tension. Mary Chris’s relief was short-lived when Samir noticed a black SUV tailing them—her employers had used a GPS tracker on her phone. Mohamed Al-Salem was in pursuit.

Samir, thinking quickly, drove to a police checkpoint and explained the situation. Mohamed arrived, accusing Mary Chris of theft and absconding. Despite Mohamed’s accusations, Samir argued he had no right to pursue her. The police decided to take Mary Chris to the station to give a formal statement.

At the station, Mary Chris recounted her story, but sensed the officers’ skepticism—a common experience for migrant workers accusing influential locals. Mohamed and his lawyer arrived, pressing charges for breach of contract and alleged theft, escalating the situation. After hours of interrogation, authorities decided to turn Mary Chris over to the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh.

Transported to an embassy-run shelter, Mary Chris felt a sliver of relief. There, she met other Filipina OFWs with similar harrowing stories, including Lety Magbanua, who had been fighting a fabricated case for three years. Sharing their experiences, Mary Chris realized she wasn’t alone.

Embassy officials, led by her case officer Roland, began building a case against the Al-Salems using Mary Chris’s testimony, photos of her injuries, and Fatima’s affidavit.

However, the legal process in Saudi Arabia proved slow and challenging, especially for a migrant worker against a citizen employer. Mohamed continued his intimidation tactics, sending a letter via his lawyer threatening defamation charges if she didn’t drop her complaint.

Embassy lawyers recognized this common scare tactic and assured Mary Chris they would protect her. During her time at the shelter, thoughts of her children sustained her, though mingled with worry about whether they remembered her or understood her absence. Inspired by the resilience of women like Lety, Mary Chris resolved to continue her fight.

On November 20, 2019, the preliminary hearing took place. Accompanied by Roland, an embassy lawyer, and supportive volunteers, Mary Chris faced Mohamed Al-Salem and his prominent attorney in court.

Mohamed confidently presented his counter-accusations. Mary Chris, though nervous, bravely shared her story, presenting evidence of the abuse. Fatima’s affidavit and Samir’s statement (submitted due to his fear of reprisal) corroborated her account.

Mohamed’s lawyer attempted to discredit Mary Chris, portraying her as untrustworthy and ungrateful. Roland calmly but firmly countered, citing laws protecting migrant workers.

After a long day, the judge adjourned, needing more time to review the complex case. While the outcome was uncertain, Mary Chris felt a sense of empowerment having finally told her story in a formal setting.

On December 4, 2019, came the news she desperately hoped for: her repatriation was approved. She could return to the Philippines while the embassy continued pursuing her case in Saudi Arabia. On December 16, she landed back on Philippine soil, greeted by the tearful embraces of her family. Seeing her children again made the horrors she endured feel distant.

Although details of the final legal outcome in Saudi Arabia are scarce, reports confirm Mohamed Al-Salem was eventually penalized under Saudi labor laws for violating workers’ rights. Mary Chris, reunited with her family, vowed never to leave again.

Her story became an inspiration, a testament to the courage required to escape abuse and seek justice, and a reminder of the vital support systems needed for vulnerable OFWs worldwide.