Working abroad is the dream of many Filipinos in spite of the truth that OFW life is not easy. As an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) you have to embrace a life away from your family, deal with very long hours of stress, loneliness and even frustration. But because working abroad gives you big salaries that you cannot earn in the Philippines you decide to go anyway and practice what many OFWs said, "the art of sacrifice."
It is very common that when we heard the word "OFW", a person with much money always comes first in our mind. Somehow, it becomes a tradition that when we meet an OFW relative or friend, we ask for "pasalubong." OFWs are also the first person we call in case of emergency and other financial related problems.
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Here are 10 things OFWs never tell about their life abroad;
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1. What you see in social media is just a very small part of OFW life!
Photos of beautiful new places where they able to visit, restaurants where they dine or meeting a new friend at a party that makes you said to yourself, "mabuti pa siya!" is just a tiny part of OFW life.
But away from social media, it is far from being all happy. No one takes pictures and rants on social media about hard work and overtime, long hours of stress, getting scolded by an employer, soul-crushing jobs, struggles of dealing with superiors and colleagues who belittle Filipinos, poor living condition and so many to mention. Nobody brags on Facebook that she came as a teacher but ended as a household service worker or domestic worker abroad.
Many OFWs keep these things to themselves even lives are not exactly what they expected.
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2. OFW life is lonely
OFWs get to decide every day what to choose between homesick versus dollars. Homesickness and separation anxiety is the number one enemy of an OFW.
Being away for a year or two from your family is really hard. They've missed so many special occasions, including children's birthday, school graduation, wedding anniversary and many other special events. OFWs also missed their children growing up. Even holidays like Christmas and New Year don't feel the same. While your family is celebrating, you are at work or perhaps in your boarding house alone watching or celebrating them through Skype.
3. OFW doesn't have money all the time
Many people really believe that money is easy to earn for OFWs and their money is endless while they are working. OFWs are the first person to call when there is a financial need at home. Many special monetary favors are being asked to OFW just because they are working abroad. OFWs are being asked to sponsor a lechon for baptism, birthday parties, school or family reunion even for a yearbook! There are relatives who are also asking for start-up amount for a new business or for a tricycle and other livelihoods.
The truth is, many OFWs remits almost all of their salary to their family back home. If there is something left, it is just enough for OFW's basic needs until the next payday. So when an emergency arises, the tendency is OFW will loan from his company or other institution that he needs to pay for the next few months.
4. Not everyone lived a good life abroad
OFWs won't tell you that they are struggling while working in other countries. Without family members, they're the one to cook for themselves. This is the reason why egg, bread, and noodles become "best friends" of OFWs. Sometimes, OFWs deal with long hours of work or overtime just to get extra pay. And when they get home, they still have to do chores like washing their clothes, cook food and cleaning their spaces because no one will do this for them. A lot of their day-off is spent alone in their apartment to rest and be ready for another challenging day.
5. OFWs can't afford to get sick
OFWs decide to work even not feeling well because they cannot afford to get sick. No one would be there to take care of them unless they have close friends or loved ones who are around. If they don't have sick days at work, OFW goes to work and said, "sayang ang kikitain". OFWs are also scared of serious illness or accident because they think much on those who rely on them and in their income.
6. OFWs won't tell you that they are tired of working abroad
Many OFWs are the bread and butter of the family. They are an instrument for someone's dream to finish college, buy a home or a car for a family, have a livelihood and investment and so on..Because of this, it is very difficult for them to give up their work and go home. OFWs are selfless, they cannot let everyone down because they are tired of working. This is one reason why there are OFWs who are still working abroad in spite of old age.
7. The balikbayan box is a product of sweat, tears and even blood
Everyone is excited to received and OFW box. But have you ever asked yourself what are sacrifices made by OFW just to fill an entire box? Some OFWs accept overtime even tired for extra money. Some take on extreme jobs they did not even sign-up for. While others are looking for a part-time job to have enough cash to buy clothes, chocolates, toys, shoes, cellphone, etc for the family who is asking for this and that.
And when they go home for vacation, they also make unbelievable sacrifices to buy all the pasalubong you ask for. It does not matter for them if they don't have new clothes, bags or shoes as long as they can buy what family member is asking for so long.
8. They missed home so much
Even though they missed home so much, they cannot come home yet. This is very sad because every OFW comes to a point where he wants to give up everything and go home to be with his family. There are sacrifices, loneliness, and challenges that are too much to take for OFW that they want to go home.
But because of the responsibilities on their shoulder, they choose to go on even it is really hard for them to be away.
Also for OFWs, there is no place like home!
This article is filed under Filipino workers, OFW life, life abroad, money, remittances, financial problems, and social media.
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