When Rosa and Lumi decided to move back to the Philippines from Saudi Arabia after 36 years, it was a heartbreaking moment for the Moharrak family.

How could they bid goodbye to the nannies who took care of Raha and her two siblings since the 1980s?

Raha Moharrak, who has seen tougher times as the youngest Arab and the first Saudi woman to conquer Mount Everest, shares that saying her final goodbye to them was the most painful part of her life.

In 1982, my mother opened the door to two strangers, Rosa and Lumi, but, 36 years later, they leave our home as family. As our nannies, they cared for me and my siblings as if we were their own. I love them dearly, and am beyond grateful that I get to accompany them back to the Philippines as they return home to their families. Even though this is my first visit, I feel like I’ve been here before because they’ve told me so many stories over the years! It makes me feel unexpectedly complete in a strange way, but saying goodbye at the end of the trip is one of the hardest things I’ll ever do. I could handle facing down death on mountains but saying goodbye to them is another level of heartache. A piece of me will stay here with them. #Philippines #adventure #explore #worldnomad #naturalhair #iphonex

A post shared by Living Curiously (@rahamoharrak) on Mar 23, 2018 at 12:03pm PDT

While stories about few Saudi families mistreating their nannies make their way in the news, Raha calls Rosa and Lumi as her second mothers. 

As the nannies planned to return to their families, Raha decided to take a trip with them to the Philippines. Talking to Khaleej Times, Raha says, "For the past three decades, they haven't travelled much so I was really nervous to leave them alone. I had never been to the Philippines as an adult so I thought it would be great to make a trip with them."

Raha started adding videos of her trip on her Instagram account and it was received overwhelmingly. 

In one of the videos, she meets up with their extended families and they seem like lost siblings. "The family already knew about me and had seen my pictures. Honestly, it was like meeting long lost cousins and nieces. We were connected on Facebook and meeting them was reconnecting with them." 

"Luma and Rosa might not have my blood but share my heart for sure. Meet their blood family was an honour for me. I think it completed a circle for me to know where they came from, and how their lives were before they came into our lives." 

It was overwhelming to finally meet Lumi’s children, grandchildren, and even a great grandchild! I’ve heard so much about them my whole life. I’ve seen pictures, and I’ve even talked to some on the phone. Now, as we meet, I discover that they knew everything about me as well! They treated me like a distant cousin and it was just phenomenal. They prepared an incredible home cooked meal, and I swear you could taste the love on each plate. Everyone was so welcoming and happy, it was wonderful to finally meet her family. I am so grateful I went on this trip. My heart is full to bursting. #Philippines #adventure #explore #worldnomad #naturalhair #iphonex

A post shared by Living Curiously (@rahamoharrak) on Mar 25, 2018 at 10:46pm PDT

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