Former Fish Vendor in PH, Now a Sought-after Construction Worker in the US

A former fish vendor in the Philippines wowed netizens after sharing the story of becoming a sought-after, successful construction worker in the US!

She’s able to build a beautiful house for her family, business for her parents, and travel to many places around the world. Wow.

Former Fish Vendor Becomes Construction Worker in the US

Many Filipinos dream of working in the US or other first-world countries, not just to provide for their families but to also travel to destinations that most only see on TV or the internet.

But while the job opportunities might be difficult to find or are limited, those who are lucky and aren’t picky might find one in these places.

Lerma Triplett is one of these lucky Filipinos.

fish vendor to OFW

Photo credit: Lerma Triplett / KAMI

She used to be a fish vendor in the Philippines but Lerma is now a sought-after, successful construction worker in the US.

Before finding a job in the US, however, Lerma shared that she also worked as OFW in Kuwait.

Photo credit: Lerma Triplett / KAMI

Photo credit: Lerma Triplett / KAMI

Now that she found a job in the US, you’ll be surprised to learn that she works as a construction worker, helping build bridge, road, and parking lots.

Usually, the job is associated with men, but this strong Pinay proved that gender isn’t really an issue when you’re determined to succeed at work.

She proudly shares that she rarely runs out of projects because the bosses keep scrambling to hire her whenever she’s done with one.

Photo credit: Lerma Triplett / KAMI

Photo credit: Lerma Triplett / KAMI

Photo credit: Lerma Triplett / KAMI

They love having a determined worker like her on their team.

Thanks to her construction job in the US, she was able to help improve her family’s lives. She sent her siblings to school and opened a business for her parents. She also brought them to various tourist spots in the Philippines and was also able to visit many places around the world.

Photo credit: Lerma Triplett / KAMI

Photo credit: Lerma Triplett / KAMI

Photo credit: Lerma Triplett / KAMI

Photo credit: Lerma Triplett / KAMI

Lerma also found love in the US. Though she and her husband don’t have kids of their own, her stepchildren call her “Mama” and treat them like their own mom.

How to Achieve Financial Independence as an OFW

Lerma admits that life as an OFW can be difficult, but has the following advice to others:

  • OFWs should learn to create a budget (and stick to it)
  • It’s good to find extra jobs whenever possible
  • OFWs shouldn’t send all their money back home
  • It’s ideal to save for the future, knowing that being an OFW isn’t forever