Being an OFW Mother: Importance of Overseas Filipino Moms

The term OFW mom refers to a Filipino mother who has migrated overseas for work. The choice to become an OFW is usually motivated by economic necessity, with the aim to secure a more prosperous future for their children.

The life of an OFW mom teems with challenges. Balancing work life in a foreign land with the emotional yearning for their children and family back home is no easy task. They miss milestones – birthdays, graduations, and even simple family dinners. Yet, they brave these challenges and endure the loneliness, carrying a smile in their daily interactions, hiding the longing in their hearts.

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The Journey: Becoming an OFW Mom

The journey towards becoming an OFW mom starts with the difficult decision to leave one’s family and home country. This decision is often fueled by the economic hardships prevalent in the Philippines. These brave women venture into the unknown, armed with the hope of providing a better life for their children.

Decision Making: The first step in the journey of an OFW mom is making the difficult decision to work abroad. This is usually a result of economic hardship and the desire to provide a better future for their children. This step often involves lengthy discussions with family members and careful consideration of the challenges and sacrifices involved.
Job Search: Once the decision is made, the next step involves searching for a suitable job overseas. This step may involve exploring job opportunities online or through overseas employment agencies. It’s crucial to find a job that aligns with the mother’s skills and qualifications.
Securing a Work Visa: After securing a job, the next step is to apply for a work visa. This process is often lengthy and requires submitting various documents such as employment contracts, medical certificates, and proof of financial means.
Pre-Departure Preparations: This involves arranging logistics, such as airfare and accommodation, and emotionally preparing oneself and the family for the separation. This step may also involve attending pre-departure orientation seminars conducted by the government to prepare OFWs for life abroad.
Settling Abroad: Upon arrival in the foreign country, the OFW mom must adapt to a new culture, language, and working conditions. This step involves finding a place to live, setting up communication methods with family back home, and adjusting to the new work environment.
Maintaining Connection with Family: While working overseas, OFW moms make an effort to maintain strong connections with their families back home. Regular communication through calls, emails, or video chats becomes essential during this phase.
Financial Management: OFW moms often have to manage their earnings effectively to meet their family’s needs back home and also save for their future. This step includes sending remittances home, budgeting, and saving.

Remember, the journey of an OFW mom is not linear, and every individual’s experience is unique. These steps provide a general outline of the journey but do not encompass all the challenges and triumphs experienced by OFW moms.

Once the decision is made, these mothers face a rigorous process that involves securing a work visa, finding an overseas job, and preparing for life in a foreign country. A key part of this journey is the emotional preparation for the loneliness and homesickness that comes with being away from family.

Challenges Faced by OFW Moms

OFW moms face numerous challenges, both physical and emotional. Physically, they often work long hours and have limited time for rest. They also grapple with adapting to a new culture and environment.

Emotionally, the biggest challenge is dealing with homesickness and the guilt of being away from their children. They constantly worry about their children’s wellbeing and feel guilty about not being there for important occasions and milestones.

Language Barrier: One of the primary challenges faced by OFW moms is the language barrier. Often, they find themselves in a country where the local language is entirely different from their mother tongue. This can make communication difficult, especially at work and in everyday social interactions.
Cultural Differences: Adjusting to a new culture is another significant challenge. Different societal norms, customs, and etiquettes can be overwhelming, leading to feelings of isolation and difficulty in assimilating.
Discrimination and Abuse: Unfortunately, some OFW moms encounter discrimination and abuse in their workplace. This can range from unfair treatment and exploitation to physical and mental abuse.
Distance from Family: The emotional toll of being away from their children and loved ones can be immense. The separation can lead to feelings of loneliness, guilt, and anxiety.
Financial Stress: Although they generally earn more than they would at home, OFW moms often face financial stress due to the high costs of living abroad, coupled with the responsibility of sending remittances to support their families back in the Philippines.
Health Issues: Long work hours, lack of proper rest, and the stress of living and working in a foreign country can lead to various health issues, both physical and mental. Despite these challenges, OFW moms continue to stay resilient and determined in their journey to provide a better life for their families.

Tips for Balancing Work and Family Life as an OFW Mom

Balancing work and family life is a constant struggle for OFW moms. They strive to provide a good life for their families financially while trying to maintain a strong emotional connection with their children back home. Here are some tips on how to keep your relationships alive and active while abroad:

Prioritize Time: Make a schedule and stick to it. Prioritize the activities that bring you closer to your long-term goals. Be disciplined in allotting time for work, rest, and communication with family.
Use Technology: Utilize communication technologies like video calls, instant messaging, and social media updates to keep in touch with your family. Share your daily routines, special moments, and even the mundane aspects of your life. This helps to maintain a strong emotional connection despite the distance.
Create Meaningful Rituals: Establish regular, meaningful communication rituals such as reading stories at bedtime, helping with homework, or even virtual dinners. These rituals provide a sense of normalcy and emotional support for both you and your children.
Share Responsibilities: Encourage your family to share responsibilities at home. This not only eases your worry about household chores but also makes each family member feel helpful and responsible.
Take Care of Your Health: Remember that you can only take care of others if you are in good health. Eat a balanced diet, get enough sleep, exercise regularly, and set aside time for relaxation and leisure activities.
Save and Budget: Manage your finances effectively. Make a clear budget plan, save consistently, and be transparent about your financial situation with your family. This will help alleviate any financial stress.
Seek Support: Don’t hesitate to seek help when needed. Be it emotional support or professional advice, reaching out to friends, coworkers, or professional counselors can be incredibly beneficial.
Stay Positive: Mindset is key. Staying positive and focusing on the good things in life can greatly reduce stress and improve your overall well-being. Remember, you are doing a great job, and it’s okay to have some tough days.
Learning and Growth: Use the opportunity abroad to learn new skills, languages, and cultures. This not only helps with your job but also provides personal growth and enrichment.
Remember Your Why: Remind yourself of the reasons why you chose to work overseas. This can motivate you to keep going during tough times and bring you peace of mind.

Significant Contributions to Families and Economy

OFW moms make significant contributions on both a personal and national level. At home, they are able to provide better educational and healthcare opportunities for their children. On a national level, their remittances play a vital role in the country’s economy.

Economic Contributions: OFW mothers significantly contribute to the economy through remittances, which account for a substantial part of the country’s GDP. These remittances help stimulate economic activity and support local businesses.
Family Welfare: With their income, OFW mothers can provide their families with better healthcare and educational opportunities. They often aim to give their children access to quality education to secure their futures.
Community Growth: The money sent by OFW mothers often aids in the development of their local communities. It results in better infrastructural facilities and enhanced living standards.
Societal Impact: The experiences and stories of OFW mothers inspire resilience and sacrifice in the society, instilling values of hard work and determination.
Promoting Gender Equality: By working in foreign lands, these mothers also inadvertently promote gender equality. They showcase the ability of women to provide and care for their families single-handedly.

Support Systems for OFW Moms

Support systems are crucial for OFW moms. These support systems can take the form of government agencies, non-government organizations, religious groups, and the OFW community itself.

These organizations provide various forms of assistance including legal advice, skills training, and emotional support. Having a robust support system helps OFW moms overcome the challenges they face.

Success Stories of OFW Moms

Despite the challenges, many OFW moms have stories of success and achievement. They have managed to lift their families out of poverty and provide better opportunities for their children. Here are some examples of successful OFW moms:

Julie, a domestic helper in Hong Kong, was able to send her son to college and provide for her family’s needs back home. She now runs a successful business in her home province.
Maria, an OFW nurse in the United States, was able to support her siblings’ education and buy a house for her parents. She is also actively involved in charitable projects for her community.
Len, a caregiver in Canada, was able to bring her family to live with her after years of being apart. She now runs a successful care home business with her husband.

Ana, an engineer in Dubai, has been recognized for her contributions to the company she works for and has been promoted to a managerial position.
Karen, a teacher in Singapore, has been able to provide her family with a comfortable life and send her children to excellent schools.

These stories are just a few examples of the many successful OFW moms who have made sacrifices for their families and achieved their goals.

These success stories are a testament to the hard work, determination, and sacrifices of OFW moms and their unwavering love for their families.

The Future of OFW Moms

The future of OFW moms is dependent on many factors. Government policies, global economic conditions, and the personal decisions of these moms play a significant role.

It is still uncertain what the future holds, but one thing is for sure: OFW moms will continue to be resilient and strong in providing for their families. Their contributions to the Philippine economy will remain invaluable, making them an essential part of our society.

With the right support and resources, these mothers can continue to thrive overseas while maintaining a strong bond with their families back home.

Summary

The journey of an OFW mom is marked by sacrifice, resilience, and strength. They face numerous challenges but continue to work tirelessly for the wellbeing of their families.

Their efforts have not only elevated their families’ living conditions but also significantly contributed to the Philippine economy. The story of every OFW mom is a testament to the strength and resilience of Filipino mothers.

The sacrifices of OFW moms are immeasurable. Their story is one of strength, resilience, and unconditional love. They bear the weight of being away from family, coupled with the pressure of providing financial stability. The prevailing theme in their narrative goes far beyond economic migration—it is a saga of love and dream for their children’s future.

So, here’s to the OFW moms, the unsung heroes, who, with their indomitable spirit and enduring love, build dreams in distant lands, all the while nurturing the bond of family from thousands of miles away. Your sacrifices are seen, appreciated, and will never be forgotten.