As a Mother Who Works as an OFW
I still remember the first time when I left my daughter (my only
child then) when I went to a Retreat for 3 days and 2 nights somewhere
in Silang Cavite in 1997...I don't know how could I ever get to my
sleep without her by my side...She was only 3 years old at that time.
I'm so lonely and quite worried that she might cry and look for me
when I'm gone.
When I left her in 1998 to look for work overseas, I couldn't imagine
how will I carry the loneliness now that we're miles and miles away
from each other. I'm really so sad when I left her that day.
As a mother, I always keep my young children on my sight. I never
ever let them go alone or walk alone without my hands holding them
especially if we're in crowded and public places.
Maybe, they'll say that I'm quite over protected but for me, I just
love my children the way I love my own body...They are part of my
body and of my heart and if they're far from me,it seems part of my
limbs are missing too...
When I reached the foreign land, I'm so happy 'cause I'm already
with my husband who went there ahead of me. But I'm also so sad because
of the absence of our 4 year old daughter.
I always cry whenever I think of her, especially during the night
before I went to sleep. I always remember when we're still together,
before we close our eyes and after we prayed, we're going to kiss
each other on the forehead, down to the nose, cheeks, lips, ears and
chin and then we're going to hug each other so tight and say I love
you...
Her daddy is away since she was 2 years old but I always tell some
stories about her father so that she's not going to forget about him.
I always let her kiss her dad's picture and bid goodnite as well.
They're close with each other too when my husband was still with us
in Philippines, that's why I don't want it to fade away 'though he
is far from us.
Sometimes, even during meals, I'll cry so suddenly if my daughter
will run through my mind. It's hard for me to swallow my food 'cause
my heart is really in pain.
I really wish and pray that my family could be whole and together
again someday...but because of our situation as a migrant worker who
just started a new life in foreign land, it is quite difficult to
bring our small daughter with us here during that time.
My husband couldn't afford to see me crying all the time. He wanted
us to be together as well, if not for permanent, atleast just for
temporary is also fine.
So in 1999, we brought our daughter here for a visit..it was a school
vacation. She stayed with us from end of March until early June, I'm
really so happy again when I saw my daughter when she arrived from
Philippines.
My husband fetched her at the airport, she was with my brother in-law.
I am at work when she came to see me, she was very happy too. We kissed
and hugged immediately upon seeing eachother, we really missed eachother
during that time.
The loneliness comes back when it is time for her to go back home
but to ease the pain of being away from our daughter, we just let
her come here on every vacation. It was every year until the year
of 2001 came. We tried to apply for a dependant visa for her so that
she can come with us all the time and got an education too while we're
working here...
But it was unsuccessful, the salary required is not sufficient so
it was denied...when I read the letter upon receiving it from the
immigration, I really cried infront of the officer. My heart really
broke and it was really a terrible painful moment for me as a mother.
We just want to bring our child but the policy is so strict.
In 2002, I delivered to my second child here in abroad. We got a
boy at this time and because he was born here, there's no problem
for us if we want him to stay with us. They can give him a dependant
visa as long that my employer is going to support us...
In that year, my husband's contract was renewed so his salary was
upgraded too and when we applied for dependant visa for our son, it
was immediately approved. I'm so happy that my son can stay with us
while we're working here but still, the family is not complete because
my daughter can only come here for a short visit visa as she wasn't
given the dependant's visa.
But when she came here in 2004, we tried to apply a dependant visa
again for her because our salary and contract has been renewed and
upgraded so we might got a chance that we'll be approved this time...And
yes, through constant prayers, our wish was granted...We finally took
our daughter with us here too and we're now a happy family.
As an OFW mother, I'm really thankful that GOD gave me a chance to
be with my children while working overseas. I know that there are
plenty of mothers who couldn't have a chance to bring their children
with them while working as an OFW, that's why I feel so great that
I'm among the lucky one.
I think that GOD is really granting my prayers and wishes. When I
was young, 'though a poor child, I never ever think of becoming rich,
I just longed for a simple and a happy family of my own. That's my
only and true happiness even before, now although it's quite expensive
and we couldn't save much at the bank while my children are both studying
overseas, it is just fine for us as long that we're all happy together...
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