@Jane
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Grass Isn't Always Greener On The Other Side Of The Fence
***November 20, 2021*** This article was inspired by @FarmGirl's I Wanna Be Rich First. The story is about a lady who pursued her ambition to become rich and achieve the life she wanted, and jilted the man she loved. She worked overseas as she thought that the grass was greener on the other side of the fence. But she got a bitter twist of fate and ended up going back to the same place and did not achieve the life she dreamed of. https://read.cash/@FarmGirl/i-wanna-be-rich-first-2c04bc01 The reason why many Filipinos are working abroad, including me, is because we thought that foreign land has greener pastures. Well, it is true in many cases and many Filipinos have been lifted from being stuck in the mud of poverty through crossing the vast and lengthy oceans and sowing seeds in a foreign land. After grinding we'll have an abundant harvest and our families in our homeland would be so happy once they receive the harvested fruits of our labor. https://read.cash/@Jane/why-many-filipinos-are-working-abroad-392ad37d Most of us thought that working abroad was like stepping into a fantasy land where we could meet our Prince Charming, build a castle in vast greenery, and harvest gold on foreign farms. Despite knowing the risks, we would fly miles away from home and would courageously step into a new world full of hope, ambition, and determination to get a better life.
But the reality started to unfold when I stepped foot into this foreign land and start thriving and striving for a living. The fairytale I once thought about where I was the princess had a different plot and the story I made didn't turn out to be the same as how I wanted it to be. Yes, I admit that I was able to achieve some of my goals and travel like Dora the Explorer. But my stall becomes empty as I always need to send the harvested fruits to the other side of the world, leaving no strand of grass inside my fence. The work I thought is the same as what I had in my homeland turned out to be more strenuous that sometimes makes me regret working abroad and just go back to where I started. Unbeknownst to many, life abroad is not the same as how many thought it was. And only those who work and suffer a lot know the pain and hardships of living abroad. Not all days are diamonds because most days are stone. Not all days you're like a prince or princess because in many cases, they'll become paupers, and some even suffer hell and end up crossing the afterworld. There are a lot of beautiful stories that are commendable and inspire others to pursue abroad despite having limited knowledge about real life abroad. And ignorant Filipinos are easily hooked by those kinds of stories and willing to risk their lives and traverse the thousands of miles distance to the foreign land with the hope of getting a better life like them. But while interacting with the people here abroad, I am also learning different stories of different people who suffered the fate of Cinderella with no Prince Charming, only wicked bosses. Most especially my co-Filipinos who work as servants as that's the only position they could attain. Although there are only a few cases of maltreatment here in HK as the law is fair to everyone. But in other countries like in the Middle East, you will hear horror stories of how my co-Filipinos were maltreated by their bosses and suffered hunger and got bruises on their bodies. Some were even killed by their evil bosses. Moreover, the pressure, burdens on their shoulders, and homesickness force some to end their own lives abroad as they felt like the world is against them and life for them is too dismal and too strenuous to continue. That's some of the reasons why many Filipinos go back to our country lying cold in a casket. And instead of having a life like in their fantasy stories, they end up sitting cold on their tombstones. Some homes even got wrecked and became houses. The love within the families got shattered into pieces and became unfixable. Either the partner working abroad runs away with a new one or the partner that was left at home went to another house. And who suffers the most? Of course, the children. The same with other fairy tales stories, not all have a happy ending. Although I commend those who conquered life abroad and were able to paint their lives with vibrant colors, built their castles and put up their fences with greener grasses inside.
But I can attest, the same with other OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers) that, the ***grass isn't always greener on the other side of the fence***. Enjoying the greener grass abroad is only possible for those who don't have heavy burdens on their shoulders and their families in their homeland are grinding the same as them. But if a Filipino is truly a sole breadwinner, then the grass on the other side of the fence would be like in the Fall season, not green, but withered. And the harvested fruits and grasses will always fall on the hands of others, leaving a few cents or none on our own baskets. Undeniably, the salary abroad is much higher compared to the minimum wage in our country. However, the expensive living abroad could easily slash your stash of cash. Even the thrifty one like me would scratch her head at the end of the month, thinking that the salary she will receive would gradually fade like bubbles in the air. Phew! What a life. So before you look for greener pastures on the other fences. You better sow seeds in your own yard and persevere in taking care of them until you can harvest them already. That would be more worth it and fruitful. That's a thought I would leave for you to ponder. Thanks for reading. *©read.cash/@Jane (All Rights Reserved 2021)*
Time of writing: 11/19/21 @1:30 pm
74 comments
Totoo talaga ito sis swerteswete lang talaga ang pag aboard sa tagal ko na ding nag aboard nakita ko kung anong klasing buhay nang ibang mga kapwa ko pinoy, Pasalamat talaga ako sa Diyos na binigyan niya ako ng mabait na amo.
Swrtehan lng tlga.. Swrte kung mkakaipon..pro kung wala, parang useless and effort
Kaya nga sis ,pero ako Di maka ipon may mga students ako na pinag aaral
We have many of them in my country thinking life would be better for them if they relocate abroad and by the time they get there, reality dawned on them and they return back after many months of striving and not getting what they want. This is why one needs to be sure before crossing over to that greener pastures because not all favors one.
Indeed.. Think a hundred times before risking their lives jumping to the other fence. It might be full of thorns there instead of roses..
When I had an opportunity previously to work abroad, I refused to. Reason being is I don't want my kids to grow without me. I want them to feel my presence at all times. Although my husband is convincing me to grab it, but I told him, "we're still eating 3 x a day with my current salary and your income ", small savings is a bonus, so why work miles away if we can survive without leaving?..
But not all mothers think like you. I guess, the group of Filipinas abroad is larger than Filipinos. Most are mothers who want to give their families better lives.
Yes I know..and my sister is kne of those mothers who sacrificed everything to give her children a bright future..ofw din kapatid ko sis..
Same situation we have here, so many youths aspire to leave the shores of the country, they believe things are better oversee but no matter where you are , hard work is required to survive
True. And it's too different abroad.. If in our country we can easily file a leave if we are sick, here abroad, we still work even if we're sick.
A lot of people who think the grass is greener on the other side exists in my country and they are usually tempted to go abroad because of the stories of people over there, but they forget that what worked for Peter may necessarily not work for Paul. It's true that there are lots of opportunities abroad, but it's better if you develop yourself first in your country before going abroad, which means having the skills that will help you to survive overseas. So many people don't have any employable skills that are in demand abroad, but they still go there and expect a miracle to happen
That is so true.. They are risking their lives without knowing what's on the other fence, can be green grasses, flowers, but what thorns or baits? Many Filipinos also ended up behind the bars, because they've been a victim of an illegal act by other greedy individuals. They are choosing the ignorant as they can easily fool them.
This is why it's better to have a plan before going overseas and not just leaving everything to chance
When I was a kid, I really thought working abroad will make our life better. That the other side has a brighter life but when I get adult I realized that things isn't that easy as what I though it is. Thank you for reminding me I really appreciate it.
I am.here abroad and it's not really easy.. Life is even harder than you think it is.
Imagine ko lang tlaga sis. Grabeng risk and continuous risk yun until they come home. Blessed are those indeed with good bosses at least one trouble down na.
Life abroad is so different.. We need to keep the nose to the grindstone if we really want to go succeed and go back to our country with a feather on our cap
the same with what my friend had thought before going abroad to work.but when she stsrted working there and stayed for couple of months.she felt like she just added a burden on her shoulder.she didnt even had a savings,she need to went through all the sadness and longing for her children.and all that is because of her parents and siblings where she need to send her money.so sad.
Relate.. More burdens are added as more expectations were thrown on our shoulders.. Families in the Philippines really thought that we are just picking up money on the streets here. They won't know the hardships unless they try it.
This has really inspired me to write and educate my own fellow country people who everyday migrate abroad seeking for a greener pasture. We can also grow a greener pasture in our own nation. Stop enslaving yourselves just because you are a foreign
True.. And that would be greener if you'll succeed
Some people think working abroad means people having high class life, delicious food, travelling on yacht or super cars! But actually it’s not. People don't understand the pain.
Because they never tried it yet
So true Ate. Dami talaga ignorante satin. Di na ako lalayo, sa pamilya ko madami eh. Pagka graduate, abroad agad buti na lang okay lang yung mga amo nila. Basta ako takot ako diyan. Hahaha.
It's fine if they will work as a nurse, doctors, engineers, and others with higher positions. But if you'll work as a servant of other families, you'll experience the real pain of life..
No, they're not. They graduated with a degree in Business Ad and one is a Programmer but they chose to be a domestic helper in Saudi and Singapore. Dunno about them. They want faster employment, that's why. They wanted to get out of the hellish life they're in here, not knowing it's more hellish there. We are always praying for them. Thank God, they were put in good hands there. 🤧
Great article to pounder on... We are always looking things from the side we are not knowing how it really looks like at the other hand, we tend to focus only what we want achieve there. There's no where as sweet as home, even when you're not flamboyant enough, as far as you're in your home, you'll definitely live like a princess charming, you can always find a greener pastures where you have peace of mind. Not only the Filipinos, same thing applies to some of our Nigerian here, they think life abroad is very easy, not untill they are faced with hell over there, why not establish yourself in your own country, work hard to fix any patches and when the holes is being filled up, you can now think of going abroad , that's if necessary.
Well said.. There are a lot of ways to do in our own yard and we can plant greener grasses without jumping on the other side of the fence
Yikes! That's actually sad, not having your dreams come true. Your concluding statement is something to really ponder about. Wise words!
The story speaks for itself sis :) Glad you are thriving over there although the grass isn't that green hehe.
Autumn na kc 🤣
The land isn't always greener there, no doubt. If it is greener it is because someone is watering it and that watering takes effort, labour, sweat and hard work. I have quite a lot of people out there too and I know how they complain too but I would rather go too 😂😂🤣🤣. It's the truth. If I can make it in Nigeria, I can make it anywhere... honest living.
Haha.. Yup.. There are a lot of Nigerians here too.. Of course, you can make it.. You are smart and strong. So jump on here now so we could go to Disneyland 🤣🤣.
Absolutely and any other place you want us to go... My exploring Janeeeeeyyyyyy. 🤣🤣😂
Hindi talaga madali yung buhay sa ibang bansa. Tapos yung mga nasa Pilipinas di man lang ma appreciate yung sacrifices ng mga nagsasakripisyo. Hindi ko nilalahat pero marami kasi akong kilalang nag abroad ng ilang taon ate tas pag uwi nila nganga parin. Kasi nga inaabuso ng nasa Pilipinas yung pinapadala sa kanila. Still, that won't make me change my mind na i admire yung superhero na OFW like you po.
Hayst.. That's the saddest part.. Akala kc nla pinupulot lng pera dto... Mga nsa abroad kht may skit work parn..yn ang hndi nla alam.. Ina mag sasideline pra lng mkasave sla ng pra sa self nlA
It reminds me of a Pitbull song that says in a verse: "the grass is always greener on the other side, until you cross to the other side" Let's value what we have here and now.
Naku, buhay abroad ang ganda pakinggan lang sis pero unknowingly dun sa mga nagsasabing maganda buhay abroad na nako, super hirap. Kahit di ko experience pero yan mostly ang sabi ng mga kakilala ko na galing abroad. Akala lang nung iba masarap mag abroad pero super baliktad naman. Lalo na kung hindi naging maswerte sa boss. Hayyg naku, hirap yan.
Di lalim jud malaju sa pamilya and uban taw nag expect ingani imo sweldo pero para sa imo naka budget na daan para sa tanan before oa gitrabahoan. Salute to all of you and hugssss.
I could really say that I respect all OFW's for most of my Tito's are working abroad and I saw their hardships and struggles plus the longingness to their loved ones...di madali pero kinakaya nila
Alot of people make the mistake of leaving their countries thinking that all is well in other countries. They might not even make plans for themselves. The grasses will be very much drier when they get there haha.
People make the mistake of travelling to other countries without first putting plans in place. In going to other countries one would have to work just the way he would if he was t work in his country for the grasses to be truly green for him.
Even here in Nigeria we believe once we travel out of our country to Abroad things are very easy there
People make the mistake of going to seek greener pastures in other countries but also fail to keep plans in place. For those the grasses will always be dry lol.
> So before you look for greener pastures on the other fences. You better sow seeds in your own yard and persevere in taking care of them until you could harvest them already. That would be more worth it and fruitful. There is no place where we cannot turn to greener pasture but in search for a greener pasture abroad has made many people to lose the fertile land in their country lying fallow.
There's a saying which goes like this “who nor go, nor know” (people that haven't been there won't understand) life abroad it's never easy, especially when you have no one there to meet, it's only God that can intervene
Your reality is sad😔, in my country many emigrate abroad also to help their family financially. Migration processes are becoming more acute due to civil wars, poverty, and social and economic crises.
I have worked in many countries in the Oil and Gas Industry including many Middle Eastern countries. However, I stopped taking assingments there due to the treatment of Filipinos,Thais and Indians that I had seen. I commend you for working overseas and sending so much money home. At least now we have amazing technology. When I first worked in the African jungles, we only used to get a phonecall on a Saturday. That was hard, and you are so right Jane, a very accurate and poignant article.
You are right, grass isn’t always greener. I remember being very homesick when I first left my country to live and work abroad. I got used to it eventually and I love my life in England 💙
Congratulations, you always find the perfect words to convey everything you feel. The reality of your country and mine are very similar, in our case we had at least two decades where we see how our relatives go abroad looking for a better future. I worked for many years in a multinational company here in my country, and I had to travel for long periods outside my country, without a doubt it was a good time of professional growth, economically it helped my family a lot, but I did not have them close and That made everything a little more difficult, so I understand how you feel when you tell us about your experience working outside your country.
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