Blog #10 (Overseas Filipino Workers) Striving Hard: Heroes

             The economic contribution of overseas Filipinos is substantial. Their remittances sustain their families and contribute to poverty reduction. Although, the remittances may not have a wider contribution to national economic growth, it has definitely improved the lives of many families who benefit from the money flows from their family members who are working overseas.

             “ In the Philippines, it is a well-known fact that there is a great number of Overseas Filipino Workers. The number is so great that each probably has at least one relative who is an OFW. However, not only is the number of Overseas Filipino Workers great, but also constantly increasing. Statistics show that the number of Overseas Filipino Workers has grown to 1,470,826 workers from 1975 to 2010 (Wu and Hebrona). One could possibly infer that over the years, Filipinos have begun to become more interested in work outside rather than in their motherland. At first glance, it could possibly be thought of as something harmful to the Philippines, with their own countrymen leaving their home at an increasing rate. However, it is actually the other way around, as it greatly benefits the country’s economy in its GDP through their annual remittances.” - By Gabriel Yoyo

               However, what should be more importantly noticed rather than the benefits of Filipinos leaving their country is why they leave the country and look for work abroad. Well today I can experience those having my sister works abroad for us. First of the many reasons is that some Filipinos use the excuse to go abroad through their work in order to avoid and escape personal problems that they experience back at home. An example of a personal problem that they escape from is marriage issues. Some Filipinos (mostly female), go abroad in order to escape their marriages, to avoid confronting these problems. Another reason as to why Filipinos pursue work abroad is that they are encouraged to do so by relatives who already live or work abroad. In a very literal way , a home is the child's first school. A home as defined by the Webster Dictionary is “ the place where something originated and developed ” Therefore, a home is where a child gains his first exposure to the skills, values and attitudes which would enable him to succeed. Much of his success and achievement in the school is the attached directly to the kind of experience occurs in a home. A home will never be called a home without its members – the family. Family like home plays an important role to a child's development. Parents together create a family environment which fosters the development of skills and attitude necessary to achieve in school. On the other hand, children from poor learning at home have only small chance of excelling. For the most, the joy and satisfaction of personal achievement will have been place beyond their reach by a family which failed to provide the necessary foundation. In every human being are certain drives. One such drive to learn, because of this drive, responsible parents strive for a proper education preparing their children for a bright future. The parents see to it that their children are well prepared for their school experience by creating a learning atmosphere in the home which serves as a vehicle in fulfilling the inherent need on mental stimulation. Well for me, I can experience home sick even tho my sister works 13 years in Paris. I can feel depress sometime being without her especially she is my oldest sister.

            As what was clearly describe on the written article, OFW contributed a lot to the Philippine Economic Growth... on the contrary, does the Philippine government have done something in return even in form of services? Heroes think of other people first before they think of themselves. Heroes are unique individuals that sacrifice themselves for the sake of others. I have read many news articles and books about how migrants, overseas workers like OFWs face insurmountable challenges head on with only their faith, hope and determination to carry them through. They strive hard to ensure that their kids future would be bright and that they would live a life that they dream of. What are migrants and overseas workers like OFW’s made of? They are made up of determination, courage, a risk taking attitude, a heart of gold and a lot more intangibles that make them as everyday heroes to a lot of people. They go beyond their call of duty to help their families, to help their country and sometimes people in need even if it means putting him or herself in danger. You do not have be an overseas worker like an OFW to be a hero, you are a hero if you sacrifice a part of yourself to help other people who are need. You are a hero if you can make someone else smile despite the trials and challenges they have. You are a hero if you can make others feel better about themselves. If you do that then you are a hero in that person’s heart.