TAYO

"Always keep a positive attitude with your employers to have a harmonious relationship. Respect everyone and stay humble." - Gilda M. Gilda M. Philippines Retired OFW, now a home baker age group: 60 and up 1. WHAT’S THE MAIN REASON THAT YOU BECAME A MIGRANT OR MIGRANT WORKER? I lost my husband in a tragic bus accident in 1992. As a single mother, I have decided to work in Singapore as a Domestic Worker, to support my children for their education. I stayed to work in Singapor

"Don't be afraid [of] what [struggles come to] your life. Be strong." - Gloria C. Gloria C. United Kingdom Migrant Worker age group: 50 to 59 years old 1. WHAT’S THE MAIN REASON THAT YOU BECAME A MIGRANT OR MIGRANT WORKER? I'm a migrant worker. My [finances are not] enough to support needs and for my daughter have failure in her heart. 2. WHAT IS YOUR PROUDEST MOMENT AS A MIGRANT THIS 2021? [My] proudest moment [was getting] a good job. 3. WHAT IS YOUR MESSAGE OF ENCOURAGEM

"Just keep strong and fight [for] your rights. Keep thinking [about] the future of your children." - Yolly M. Yolly M. United Kingdom Domestic Worker age group: 40 to 49 years old 1. WHAT’S THE MAIN REASON THAT YOU BECAME A MIGRANT OR MIGRANT WORKER? Being a migrant worker is not easy. But you can sacrifice your life for your [loved] ones specially if you’re single mother and the bread winner of the family. 2. WHAT IS YOUR PROUDEST MOMENT AS A MIGRANT THIS 2021? Proudest mom

"As a migrant worker, first, you need to take care of yourself, not abuse to overwork because your health is the only wealth of ourselves, because if we become ill, we’re alone and far from our families. No one can help us only our self. " - Karen L. Karen L. United Kingdom Nanny / Housekeeper age group: 40 to 49 years old 1. WHAT’S THE MAIN REASON THAT YOU BECAME A MIGRANT OR MIGRANT WORKER? The main reason that I became a migrant or migrant worker is the future of my son a

"I encourage our migrant [workers] to be wise in life in making decision, working abroad has always been sacrifice. Every day we are in a battlefield to provide for the needs for our family in Philippines." - Aimee A. Aimee A. United Kingdom Nanny, new job 1. WHAT’S THE MAIN REASON THAT YOU BECAME A MIGRANT OR MIGRANT WORKER? The main reason why I'm working abroad is to give abetter future for my family. Looking back when I was still in the Philippines, working my salary is n

"...know your real goal. Do it one at a time, stick to it, and don't give up. Always pray too." - Marilyn C. Marilyn C. United Kingdom full time housewife age group: 30to 39 years old 1. WHAT’S THE MAIN REASON THAT YOU BECAME A MIGRANT OR MIGRANT WORKER? Because of financial problems, poverty is the reason 2. WHAT IS YOUR PROUDEST MOMENT AS A MIGRANT THIS 2021? Proudest moment [was] when I got my own property and also I became a mom this 2021. I'm proud because despite of the

"Be courageous, be [patient], and be more understanding. There is no challenge that you cannot overcome." - Lina P. Lina P. Singapore Domestic Worker age group: 40 to 49 years old 1. WHAT’S THE MAIN REASON THAT YOU BECAME A MIGRANT OR MIGRANT WORKER? The main reason why I became a migrant worker is my Family. I want to give them a better life. From poverty into financially stable. 2. WHAT IS YOUR PROUDEST MOMENT AS A MIGRANT THIS 2021? My proudest moment is I [am] able to sus

"Just be [patient with] your work, understand, what's the reason why you [are] here, and be proud and love your work." - Ma. Elvira H. Ma. Elvira H. Singapore Domestic Worker age group: 40 to 49 years old 1. WHAT’S THE MAIN REASON THAT YOU BECAME A MIGRANT OR MIGRANT WORKER? To support my family, especially my 3 lovely children 🥰 2. WHAT IS YOUR PROUDEST MOMENT AS A MIGRANT THIS 2021? The proudest moment being a migrant this 202, although my age is already in the 60's, stil

"Focus on your goal and advocacy on why you left your family and country. Stand firm on whatever struggle you may encounter and face it with enthusiasm and determination, with the knowledge and faith that God would always [be] with us." - Matias Matias Singapore Domestic Worker age group: 50 to 59 years old 1. WHAT’S THE MAIN REASON THAT YOU BECAME A MIGRANT OR MIGRANT WORKER? To empower my children and myself. 2. WHAT IS YOUR PROUDEST MOMENT AS A MIGRANT THIS 2021? When I b

Most migrant workers have to work long hours and give up their vacation days for one reason or another so they barely get any time to rest. We all know how unhealthy this can be. On the other hand, there are others who — after a full week or month of work — just want to sleep on their day or days off. While sleep is great, that’s not the only way we can take care of ourselves. It’s important for everyone, especially migrants and migrant workers, to practise self-care. What is

On Friday, December 18, we celebrate International Migrants Day. The purpose of this day is to raise awareness about the challenges that international migrants face. One of the greatest of these challenges is the lack of economic empowerment. Economic empowerment is the ability to take control of one’s personal finances and resources. Many migrants are trapped in a cycle of debt and poverty and this is what pushes them to become migrant workers in the first place. Unfortunate

According to the International Labour Organization, “10 million Filipinos live abroad and more than 1 million Filipinos leave the country each year to work abroad.” Filipino migrant workers can be found in various fields and industries around the world. Unfortunately, countless migrant workers — Filipino migrant domestic workers, in particular — are faced with hardships and obstacles that impact their rights and, in extreme cases, endanger their lives as they seek out employm

Aira N. United Kingdom Nanny age group: 40 to 49 years old 1. What YEAR did you first become a migrant and what was the REASON behind your migration? Year 2015, the first time I become a migrant when I applied as a Domestic Workers in Singapore, it was a salary deduction through the agency of the daughter of my secondary teacher in my hometown because they had a contact person at the agency in Singapore, so, without my hesitation because of the reason behind, it is very diffi

May Belen U. United Kingdom Housekeeper and Carer age group: 50 to 59 years old 1. What YEAR did you first become a migrant and what was the REASON behind your migration? 1988 ...... poverty and the eldest among my two brothers and four more sisters ... grown in an slum area in Metro Manila. 2. What was the BIGGEST CHALLENGE that you've had to OVERCOME as a migrant? Even [if I] received a low income i start little by little to build a house for my family. 3. What makes you PR

Jaena D. Singapore Domestic Worker age group: 40-49 years old 1. What YEAR did you first become a migrant and what was the REASON behind your migration? The reason leaving my family in the Philippines was to give them a better life, because life is hard, way back 2017. (There was story behind) 2. What was the BIGGEST CHALLENGE that you've had to OVERCOME as a migrant? The biggest challenge [I] had overcome is [homesickness]. Alone in a foreign land. 3. What makes you PROUD to

Teresa Thailand Freelance Migrant Worker age group: 60 years old and up 1. What YEAR did you first become a migrant and what was the REASON behind your migration? 2008. My income in the Philippines was never enough to support our family. 2. What was the BIGGEST CHALLENGE that you've had to OVERCOME as a migrant? When i helped establish our migrant organization here in Thailand in 2015, the biggest challenge is how to help the problems we faced here on labor concerns, visa and

Jo Ann D. Singapore Foreign Domestic Worker age group: 40 to 49 years old 1. What YEAR did you first become a migrant and what was the REASON behind your migration? 1995 To be with my mother 2. What was the BIGGEST CHALLENGE that you've had to OVERCOME as a migrant? Homesickness 3. What makes you PROUD to be a migrant? Being a Migrant Domestic Worker, I was able to send my 3 children to school and my 2 eldest are Professionals already and my youngest is still in The Universi

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 OVE

Wendelyn N. United Kingdom Carer age group: 30 to 39 years old 1. What YEAR did you first become a migrant and what was the REASON behind your migration? My Ex-husband and I separated in 2012, although we did not divorce and we did not tell the family that we had separated, although relations among the family members were very strained at this point and my sister in law asked me to leave her house in 2012 and I promised to myself that I gonna build my own house and save money

Marilyn C. United Kingdom Housewife age group: 20 to 29 years old 1. What YEAR did you first become a migrant and what was the REASON behind your migration? 2009, Because of financial problem, because we are farmer in the Philippines and its very difficult job, also very small money amount. 2. What was the BIGGEST CHALLENGE that you've had to OVERCOME as a migrant? My first abroad in Lebanon [was] when I was 18 years old, it's a big challenge for me because I come from provi