An Open Letter

The door slightly opened as a face peeking in from outside showed up. Her big rounded black eyes carefully scoured the entirety of the room as if ensuring that her stealth has not been detected. Everyone was busy working so it seemed that nobody cared. She turned to the left side and placed her finger on the biometric scanner for identification. After a beep and a confirmation of identity, she finally let the rest of her body in and facing down, walked towards the other end of the room where her computer quietly awaits.

That was how she was during her first few days in the company. It was amusing, yes. But it left an impression on me that I will never forget - she is a scaredy-cat.

Ann as a goddess from the movie "Immortal"
on our 2011 Christmas party

Months passed and I had to work closely with her for a project for a multinational corporation. With zero background on software development except for her theses days in college and with me working the duties of a Team Lead for the first time instead of being the developer that I was used to - it was quite a big challenge for both of us. I was  nervous, and I know she was, too. But I was surprised at the turn of events!

I thought I had to explain things repeatedly to her digging deep on every detail when we were working on the specifications. As a precautionary measure, I would always add buffer to her estimates on her tasks - but they were never used. She completed the first phase ahead of time. There were minor corrections but aside from those, she went beyond my expectations.

She can follow coding standards. She can analyze requirements, and knows when to ask questions. She can create professional mails. What more can I ask for? This girl, as a Junior Software Engineer, has everything, I thought.

We made it through the first wave of the project. If there were any issues, she gets herself fully involved in the investigation and never stops until it is resolved. Then, the project went on and the team got bigger. She made me even more proud with  how she is working with team members training them as they get on-board and responsibly making sure she knows how to take over once they roll-off the project. After almost a year of working with her, she remained consistent - except for one thing - she started taking frequent leaves.

I had no issues with her leaves since we make sure that we let our client informed ahead of time whenever she needed a day or two off - her absences are also covered having the other team members taking care of things. What makes me worried is the reason she is taking these leaves.

April 4, 2011 - she was taken by our colleagues to the nearby hospital and had to be confined for three days after being seen with symptoms of hypertension. Almost a year earlier, during the times we were starting on the project together, she was diagnosed of chronic glomerulonephritis - an advanced stage of a group of kidney disorders, resulting in inflammation and slowly worsening destruction of internal kidney structures called glomeruli. This condition causes chronic kidney failure and the hypertension that she had. At her young age, she is a candidate for dialysis to control the symptoms of kidney failure; and to kidney transplant as the only way to fight this life-threatening disease.

Annadel and friends before she was taken to the hospital
(from left: Aby, Christine, Annadel, Jayvee, Reeza, Sam)

From the time she was diagnosed, she refused to discuss about it and I, along with the rest of the Manila team, respected that decision. Back then, the traces of the scaredy-cat all disappeared from my mind. I even thought so foolish of myself for ever having that impression. How could one scaredy-cat laugh out so loud on every jokes thrown out by her friends ignoring the danger she is currently in? How can she confidently meet my eyes and give her assurance that she can solve this or that problem? How can she worry so much about our team member getting sick while she herself is sick and on an even worse condition? I thought I already   had many experiences in life - but these things, I cannot simply understand.

Right now, her battle is getting serious and I cannot afford to just watch her fighting on her own. We, too, can fight with her - and I am here, writing these words reaching out to your kind hearts to help out our friend - Annadel.

To Annadel, I hope you can forgive me for bringing this topic up and even to a larger population. If you must hate me for this, I will understand. But I will not stay quiet here doing nothing when I could have done something to help.

Dear Readers,

I, together with other friends of Annadel, am starting on a fund-raising campaign to support her future needs for a kidney transplant. If you want to help, please visit "Donate" tab on this page or send us an email and we will let you know how.

You can also share this blog to your friends and encourage them to help.

All the prayers, financial assistance, blood donations (as needed) and other efforts are all appreciated. May God repay you with more blessings than what you have given or about to give.

Thank you very much!

Sincerely Yours,
Monna Lissa Olaes