Armed with envelopes and brave faces, groups of Filipinos have been going around Kuwait to solicit money in the name of a charitable movement in the Philippines. The charity, Sonshine Philippines Movement, provides the envelopes and letters of solicitation to inform prospective donors about their purpose and why members go house-to-house to collect funds. Kuwait Times tried in vain to contact the SPM headquarters in Manila, but our calls were left answered.

The group has been roaming Kuwait asking money for what they say are charitable purposes and sustain their activities, which they do nationwide. The group has been encountered by not just Filipinos, but other expats too.

“I was sleeping soundly in the afternoon when the doorbell rang. When I opened the door, a group of five Filipinos handed me an envelope. When I asked some questions, one person told me to read its contents. It said they are a charity organization helping disaster areas in Manila, so I give them KD 5.

Dr Chie Umandap, a community leader, was approached by members of the group at his house in Hawally recently. "I know that solicitation of money is illegal in Kuwait. So I asked whether they had embassy or police permits. But instead of answering my inquiries, they left as if I was trying to throw them out. But I was only clarifying their status because I don't want to see my countrymen dragged by authorities to be deported. I know begging is strictly prohibited and illegal in Kuwait. I was just trying to help," he said.

When he saw the group, he grabbed his phone and took a video of them, and warned them about the danger of their actions. "When I posted the video online about 'Sonshine', I found out I wasn't alone. Many other Filipinos have also crossed paths with these groups. One commentator to my post said that he encountered the group last year. The fact that I only came upon them last week means they have been in operation for some time now," he said.

Rodel in Fahaheel has also encountered the group. "I was sleeping soundly in the afternoon when the doorbell rang. When I opened the door, a group of five Filipinos handed me an envelope. When I asked some questions, one person told me to read its contents. It said they are a charity organization helping disaster areas in Manila, so I give them KD 5. Only later I realized they had no permit from the embassy or local authorities here. It was wrong for me to give money to people I didn't know," he rued.

An American family also encountered the group in Salwa. "They knocked on my door and showed me an envelope. Of course I told them it is illegal to ask for money for charity in this way. Even charity organizations based in Kuwait cannot do this, so I warned them to stop since they have no papers to show they are operating legally," the American lady who did not want to give her name said.

When Kuwait Times asked if the embassy will issue an advisory for Filipinos in Kuwait on this topic, the Philippine Embassy said no formal complaint has been lodged yet at their offices and that they haven't read the solicitation letter and its purpose. "I want to know more about this scheme, so I cannot comment on the matter," an embassy official said.

The Sonshine Philippines Movement's projects are aimed at addressing the most pressing environmental and social issues and concerns plaguing the country and the world today, according to its website. Among programs they focus on are agri-forest resource development and management, marine and coastal resource development and management, solid waste management, ecotourism development and disaster response program.

But it's unclear if the people in Kuwait going house to house asking for donations are in fact connected to the SPM in the Philippines. It's also unclear whether they have permits for their activity and what the money is being used for.

By Ben Garcia