I received some great feedback from my article - 'It's so Hard to Say Goodbye' - last week. If you missed it please go to www.everydayasunday.blogspot.com. One email really captured the essence of the difficulty our OFWs face as they go overseas looking for a better life for their family. Here is a summary...
We have this notion that if you're an OFW, you're rich. That's not TRUE! We earn more, but to say that we are rich is a fallacy. It is sooo hard being an OFW. Kailangan magtipid, hanggang kaya. It is also true, food is delicious but most of the time, we have to be contented with, noodles and eggs in order for us to save. Most of the OFW’s money goes to the family back home. Mostly we ask ourselves, why are we still paying for the bills i.e. electricity, water, cable, internet. It is obvious that we are not there to consume or use those bills. Sometimes my sister will text me just to say "Wala kami pambili ng GASUL!” Can you imagine that? What will happen if we are not here? How can they even manage to cook THEIR food? What's even worse is if you cannot give them the money that they say is "utang", sila pa may gana magalit at magtampo sayo!
Hindi bato ang OFW, tao rin ang OFW, hindi money o cash machine. Napapagod rin, nalulungkot (madalas), nagkakasakit, nag-iisip at nagugutom. Kailangan din ang suporta, kundi man physically, emotionally o spiritually man lang.
We did not want to leave our love ones behind, but what we can do? It is so nice to be by their side while you watch a movie, eat galunggong or pinakbet. But sad to say, we must leave all of those so that they too can enjoy the fruits of our labor.
All we need is just a little understanding from our dear families back home. Di nyo nalalaman na umiiyak kami every night dahil sobra naming kayo na mimiss. Kayo naman, piso lang ang text sa roaming, mano ba naman send nyo kami kahit "HI, HELLO, MUSTA NA KAYO". Mababaw lang ang happiness ng OFW…. A simple text message will go a looong way.
You can email me on hoover@barongroup.com.ph
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