Overseas Filipino Workers, there are 2.4 million, more than half of whom are women, take drastic steps for their family; to provide for them, they often leave their families, their comfort zone, their friends, and their home.

As women continue to be a driving force for change in the Philippines, this series aims to highlight those who demonstrate an exceptional commitment to creating an impact.

For love of their family, OFWs leave everything behind in order to provide for them; today, I dedicate this story about Raymunda as a tribute to every OFW’s sacrifice and contribution.

Blazing A New Path, Despite The Risks

It was 1972. Raymunda Lusung lived in a rural village called Sepung Bulaon, Porac in the province of Pampanga, Philippines. She was fun-loving, hardworking, had many friends and a close family. One of her earlier jobs was working for a military family at the American airbase.

When she took that job, her eyes were opened to a whole new world. The airbase was modern,  equipped with all the amenities of modern America. She was amazed at how much people had, and how comfortably people lived.

She spoke to her friends and told them excitedly about this. She wanted more for her family, and she was determined to fulfil her dreams for them.

She decided to take action – there was an agency that was taking applications for Filipino Domestic Workers (FDW) to go work abroad. It was expensive to go through the process, and  there was no guarantee of a successful outcome. She did it anyway.

Raymunda’s application was approved – she was both afraid and excited. She was going to England to work as a domestic helper for a wealthy Jewish family.

Experiencing The World As An OFW

Arriving in London was surreal. It was a cold, dark winter. The airport was bustling with people speaking in foreign tongues – even English sounded foreign to her American-English-trained ears.

The family met her, an elderly lady with her son and daughter. They were kind employers who patiently taught and trained her. It was hard work, but most of all it was lonely work. Night after night she would long for her family at home and sob into her pillow.

Now in those days it was far too expensive to make international calls, and there was no Skype or email. All she had were letters in blue airmail envelopes, written by hand and delivered to the post office each week. It would be months before a message reached its destination and was replied to. Sometimes – on special occasions – a voice tape would be made, the only way to send a message and hear the voices of your loved ones back then.

These are just some of the hardships and sacrifices made by Raymunda and FDW’s all over the world to better the lives of those they love.

With the money earned over the years, Raymunda built homes and maintained homes; she put food on tables; she clothed and educated children.

She did very little for herself and everything she could for the family left behind in the Philippines – her mother, her brothers and sisters and their children, and eventually, her own child. She saw this as her duty and her life’s purpose.

The Adventure Of A Lifetime

Raymunda met the man who was to be her husband of thirty-four years. She left the life of a maid behind.

He was a mechanic – not wealthy, but hardworking and he wanted to support her as they shared a simple but happy life. She took this opportunity to go back to school to learn simple Maths and English skills – as she only had an elementary education.

After a short while, a baby girl was born – a baby whose future and life was to be very different because of the path her mother had carved out for her.

That baby was me.

My parents didn’t have much, but they had love; and their ability to work hard and sacrifice for me.

To make sure that I would not have to go through what they went through. To give me a better life and more opportunities to be successful.

They had no money to leave me, no property or jewels; but they gave me education, and a chance to do more and be more. That was their legacy.

Raymunda’s sacrifice – my mum’s sacrifice and tenacity – gave me the precious gift of opportunity. Everything else was up to me.

I became an entrepreneur. Now I have dedicated my life to helping other women succeed, motivated by my Filipino mother and her selfless past as an OFW.

I believe my mum is an entrepreneur – because of her determination to find a better way.

 My mother, Raymunda Blum, is among the trailblazers who took risks into the unknown to create economic and social mobility for future generations of Filipinos. Her entrepreneurial spirit, courage, and dedication to empowering others is an inspiration to us all.

A Tribute Of Thanks To Overseas Workers Worldwide

To all overseas workers and all women and mothers serving abroad, I salute your spirit of adventure, your determination and your passion to achieve more for yourselves and for those you love. Sometimes perhaps with little or no thanks.

On behalf of everyone whose lives you touch – this is a tribute to all of you. You are my heroes.

aidha 
aidha is a micro-business school in Singapore dedicated to ending the cycle of poverty for foreign domestic workers through financial literacy and entrepreneurship.
Give your helper the chance of a brighter future through education.

_{This article is the same story I told at the Aidha 2014 Graduation in Singapore.} 

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