Success Story of an OFW

Nowadays almost all the news about OFW is bad news. Like drug trafficking, OFW who become drug carrier and sentence to death in Indonesia. OFW who caught in Hong Kong carrying drugs. About an OFW who is tagged of one politician in Hong Kong as home wrecker, and so many more.

Let me share some good news about the success of an OFW's daughter who become the first Filipino elected in UK as town councilor. Cynthia Alcantara-Barker, a native of San Pablo City in Laguna was elected town councilor of Elstree and Borehamwood. This place is considered as England's version of Hollywood. Cynthia's mother was an OFW who went to the UK in 70's to support her five children.she consider her mother as her hero, later she joined her there in UK. Cynthia's mother was a school teacher who had to leave her family, including five young children. She made the same sacrifice that most OFW's make, sent all her money home while she work long hours to insure that the family was well-fed and educated. Almost all OFW's is same, they sacrifice working for long hours and away from home and family. Send all their salary to make sure the family have a brighter future.

Another successful story of an OFW.

Xyza Cruz Bacani, a Filipina domestic helper in Hong Kong who takes breathtaking street photography has been awarded the prestigious Magnum Human Rights scholarship to New York University. the 29 years old grew up in Nueva Vizcaya in Philippines. She went to Hong Kong as a maid to join her mother to work in the same employer. Her passion in photography blossomed after she buy her first camera few years after she moved in Hong Kong. she fell in love with the art. she work six days a week and spend her one day off roaming around in the streets of Hong Kong, capturing everything in her camera.

Maribelle an OFW who grew in Sanches Mira in Cagayan. This is is her story.

She leave her two kids at the very young age. She go and work in Taiwan for the first time for almost six years. when she go back in Philippines, she just stay for a while and decided she need to work again so she can send her two daughters in colleges. This time she go in Hong Kong to work again as a domestic Helper. she send all her salary to make sure the children will have their easy daily life and they can go to school without thinking of any problem but just to study hard. as of this moment I am writing this blog, her two daughters become successful. the eldest graduate in BS Biology with Master's degree. And her youngest graduate as a Pharmacist and now she is one of the Pharmacist in their province. And a self made business woman. Maribelle's sacrifices as an OFW need to be recognized by our government. If it is published so many will be encouraged to work abroad, to strive hard and make their dreams comes true.

This is only few success of the domestic helpers. There is still a lot of untold stories. Because mostly, the stories we can read is about crimes, violence, modern day slavery, drugs and many more. If only some of our government agencies also try to find out the success story of our fellow Filipino. It will inspire to those who want to work abroad.