An OFW in Malaysia inspires as she built a home and bought farmland for her family in just 4 years of working outside the Philippines. Her story has given inspiration to many netizens who are also dreaming of a better life for their families…
Inspiring OFW
While the house is not a mansion, it is nice that the overseas Filipino worker (OFW) was able to build this. It is always inspiring to see the fruits of your labor – and for this OFW, named Janice Dalida Esmeña from Pontevedra, Negros Occidental, the fruits can be quite literal because she was able to buy a farm for her family as well.
The 37-year-old OFW works as domestic helper in Malaysia. Of course, the pay is not as high as what skilled workers and professionals would receive but it is higher than what maids or house helpers receive in the Philippines.
With the money she earned abroad, Janice built a house for her family. She has been working for 4 years and was already able to build a comfortable home with appliances and other material comforts. She bought a 43-inch TV and subscribed to cable so her family can have fun watching favorite shows.
“Ang magandang naidulot po sa akin ng pagtatrabaho abroad is nakapagpundar ako ng aking sariling bahay na pinapangarap ko lang noon natupad na ngayon. At yung mga anak mabigyan ko ng ano ang gusto nila kasi may trabaho na ako. Ang aking realization sa buhay is di pa huli na matupad lahat ng pangarap, na makaipon para sa mga anak, makatulong sa pamilya lalo na sa mga magulang,” she told KAMI.
The OFW was also thankful to her kind employer who’s always been kind and supportive to her plans. Her job was also not affected despite the pandemic.
“Thank God na ang amo ko super mabait, generous at may golden heart na employer sobrang blessed and thankful po kasi nakahanap at nakatagpo ako ng employer na katulad nila. Dinadala po ako ng amo ko na sa ‘Twin Towers’, ‘Pavillion Malls’ at sa iba pa pong malls sa Malaysia,” Janice said.
“Hindi naman po naapektuhan ang trabaho ko sa pandemic kasi hindi naman po ako lumalabas. Andito sa bahay yung mga amo ko lockdown last 3 months ago at yung amo kong babae tinutulungan ako sa gawaing bahay nung lockdown.”
Congratulations for the house and farm, Janice!
OFWs in Malaysia
It is estimated that there are as high as 600,000 OFWS working in Malaysia in 2018. Of this number, domestic helpers are believed to be anywhere from 120,000 to 180,000. These estimates could be higher.
