By MEG DIXIT
Filipinas Magazine

Some may think that Nimfa Yamsuan-Gamez got a late start in life: at 40, she arrived in the US, got her driver’s license and landed her first job. That was 12 years ago. Today, she’s enjoying the fruits of her late harvest as she reaps success in all areas of her life—career, family and her own personal development.

Nimfa was born and raised in Quezon City, Philippines. She was the youngest child of Ireneo and Damasa Yamsuan, farmers who later moved to the city for business. Her grandmother was a feisty Bulakeña (“Inang,” Nimfa calls her) who inspired Nimfa with words that have guided her since: “Honor and strength are the essence of your womanhood; your dignity should always be safeguarded and upheld.” And in spite of being disabled, Inang accomplished her tasks and enjoyed her leisure time with Tatang (her husband). The grandmother’s influence on the nine-year old Nimfa was profound.

Nimfa graduated from Philippine Science High School in 1971 then went on to the University of the Philippines where she studied Food Technology, but got married before she finished her third year. She came to the US in 1995 with one of her eight kids; the others followed when the lengthy immigration process was completed. Now residing in San Ramon, California, Nimfa is fulfilling a commitment to helping the disabled, empowering other women, and proving that Filipinos are leaders too.

She first worked as a caregiver in a Bay Area home catering to adults. Because she excelled so quickly, Nimfa was sent to learn administration skills by her employer. She spent a few years working in her colleague’s care home as an administrator but she eventually became frustrated because she wasn’t able to implement innovative programs she felt were needed for clients.

The only way to go was to operate her own care home and design personalized programs that would be more helpful to her clients, and at the same time, be more fulfilling for her. She worked hard, quickly excelled in this field and made a name for herself. This led her to receive a $200,000 grant from the state of California in the 1990s to operate a home serving developmentally disabled individuals to replace the closure of the well-known facility, Agnews Developmental Center in San Jose.

Home for the developmentally disabled
Today, Nimfa operates two homes for the developmentally disabled located in Hayward, California, and four adult daycare programs in Hayward and Dublin, California. In these programs, students learn skills to enable themselves to perform diurnal activities. Plans are in the works for more homes and classes as Nimfa is considering the purchase of another building to add more facilities and programs for needy clients.

Nimfa has received accolades for her programs from clients and state officials (“One of my peers said she wishes she could clone me because of the work I’ve done in this field. A sincere comment like that means more than money to me!”). The staff at her adult care homes are mainly her own relatives—kids, cousins, or employees recommended by word-of-mouth.

“The two main things I examine are an individual’s attitude and their referrals,” she says when considering additional staff for her burgeoning care-giving enterprise.

“This is not just a business but a vocation,” advises Nimfa to those who wish to follow her career track.

“You really have to have the patience and be sincere in providing care services to the consumers you will serve. And if you already are in this field, to multiply or open more facilities, this is like being an actor or director in the movies. You are only good up to your last performance. You will grow bigger if you have a good track record.”

Politics? Maybe
Nimfa’s future plans include a shot at local politics. She says, “I believe I can make a difference for people. I also want to prove that Filipinos are effective leaders too, not just followers.” Either way, the possibilities are endless, but always her focal point is helping those that need it most.

This altruism influences her volunteer activities as well. Nimfa is currently opening a nonprofit foundation that will raise funds and send donations to street children and young girls who work the streets. She’s also an active member of a Filipino Catholic group called Bukas Loob sa Diyos as well as a group called, Solo Parents, where she picks up senior ladies from neighboring cities to take them to monthly reunions and other occasions.

Check out Nimfa Yamsuan-Gamez’s adult daycare programs at mhdp.org.

About the author
Meg Dixit is a Bay Area resident who enjoys exploring and writing on Filipino culture. She contributes to Filipinas magazine and writes out of San Ramon, California