#WeAreMigrants Feature: Jessa Mae C. in Qatar
Jessa Mae C.
Qatar
Domestic Worker age group: 20-29 years old
1. What YEAR did you first become a migrant and what was the REASON behind your migration?
2018, dahil po sa tatay. Dalawang beses po siyang nahospital sa sakit na tuberculosis, lung failure at diabetes. Nabaon po kame sa utang.
TRANSLATION: 2018, because of my dad. He was hospitalized twice for tuberculosis, lung failure and diabetes. We were buried in debt.
2. What was the BIGGEST CHALLENGE that you've had to OVERCOME as a migrant?
Hindi po ako sanay sa mga gawaing bahay prinsesa po ako ng mga magulang ko bahay school lang ang gawain ko noon. kaya pagdating sa Qatar hirap palaging napapagalitan at nasisigawan,napapagsabihan ng masasakit na salita ngunit hindi po ito naging hadlang upang ako ay matuto at mag pursigi para sa mga magulang ko po lalo na sa tatay ko.
TRANSLATION: I was not used to household tasks. I was my parent's princess. All I did before was go to school and stay home. That's why when I arrived in Qatar I had a hard time. All the time I was scolded, shouted at, and told hurtful things. However, these did not become a barrier for me to learn and be diligent for my parents, especially for my father.
3. What makes you PROUD to be a migrant?
O.F.W. din po ang mga magulang ko kaya alam ko po ang hirap at pasakit na nararanasan nila. Sa dugot pawis nangagaling ang bawat sentimong pera naiipon ko at napaka marangal na trabaho ang napasukan ko. sabihin man nila na akoy isang utusan,katulong, taga kiskis ng inodoro. Taas noo ko tong ipagmamalaki dahil dito napagamot ko ang aking tatay at nakapagpatayo ng sarili kong bahay at lupa.
TRANSLATION: My parents are also OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers), so I know the hardship and pain that they experienced. Every cent that I have saved came from my blood and sweat, and the work that I entered is noble. They may say that I'm a servant, maid, the person who scrubs the toilet bowl. I hold my head high and am proud because through this work I have been able to support my dad's treatment and I have been able to build my own house and land.
This feature is one of the entries to our #WeAreMigrants Contest - in celebration of International Migrants Day 2020.
