Tragic loss of a Father while fishing in Raglan, led to his family’s shattered dream for a better life.

ANOTHER FAMILY LEFT BEHIND BY MISSING FATHERS IN PAPANUI POINT – ERIC DABALOS

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/300448668/deadly-fishing-spot-papanui-point-may-need-to-close--mayor

https://sunlive.co.nz/news/280252-police-name-pair-missing-near-raglan.html

Being the Pastoral Care Provider for Accommodation for migrant workers, I have always known Eric as a silent doer.

He is a very skilled builder who in his own humble way has sought to do his very best bit here in New Zealand, a place that he has considered his second home for the past 5 years. He is one of those forlorn but hopeful workers looking forward to the possibility of family reunification with his wife and two young daughters with the newly implemented “One -Off Resident 2021 Visa”.

As a former fisherman from the Philippines, he finds solace in the rugged but bountiful coastlines of Raglan that reminiscently takes him back to his hometown. Sadly, on the 31st of October 2021, he and his fishing buddy never made back to his place. Currently, his considered lost and is now placed under the search and rescue efforts of the NZ Police. As a result this heartbreaking event, his wife and kids have asked me to legally represent them here in New Zealand for all entailed procedures in place.

As the lone breadwinner in the family, his wife and two young daughters in the Philippines are bracing themselves for the ensuing griping aftermath of this tragedy on top of a daily struggle to just even meet their basic needs. With the latter at hand, and with the holidays drawing near, Eric’s absence will definitely be very palpable to his family in all ways possible. They will definitely be in the direst of circumstances. However, be it as it may, I pray that this loss will find us instead with our hands enjoined together in whatever financial help we can contribute to Eric’s family, making sure that in his place, he has left for them a community of stewardship.

God bless you for your donation everyone.