Friday, July 13, Nhidz finally arrived back home to the Philippines after three years of being a nanny in Dubai, UAE. It was a combination of sadness and excitement. She happily returned to the place where she first weaved her dreams, with a snippet of sadness because she left those who embraced her during her stay in Dubai.
The 29-year-old Pangasinense from Pozorrubio, Pangasinan had a one-time, big-time chance of working abroad. She’s just one of the many Filipinos who luckily found work in just one hit.
For her, returning home could be a bittersweet moment, but what’s more important are the lessons she gained from working overseas.
The story of hope and heights
She has no experience of being an OFW. Everything was new to her until she unraveled memorable journeys little by little.
“Everything was unplanned,” Nhidz said. “I’m just moving forward from my past relationship that’s why I flew in Dubai,” she said.
It was Ramadan season in 2016 when Nida “Nhidz” Bernabe arrived and the weather was truly sweltering. During that time, her parents were sick, and the only thing she can do was to look for any job for her to survive.
She had a hard time looking for a job even if she finished a two-year certificate in Hotel and Restaurant Service, and BS Business administration degree major in financial management. After some time, she was accepted as a nanny.
Nhidz took care of the Jordanian-Canadian-citizen family who currently resides in Dubai. She looked after two young girls- one was 8 years old and the other was 3 years old. Her experience of being a nanny turned into a “magical” reality. She became an instant mother and realized the hardships of being a real mother. She embraced her new family.
It was April of 2018 when her contract ended, but her employer asked for her extension. She took that opportunity to learn more.
Authentic Pinay love and care
Nhidz knew that her employer loved her work; on how she took care of the children, and how she did all household chores.
“One thing I can be proud of was how I made them happy and satisfied. With utmost care for three years, I gave them the kind of love we Filipinos usually give. We’re very welcoming, she emphasized.
So many lessons gained
“I’m okay with three years as an OFW. I learned how to become a mother, how hard it was physically and emotionally especially when you’re sick. You’ll feel homesick eventually,” she said.
Nhidz turned the other side of the coin- and it was all about appreciating the value of being an OFW. The life and experience she had will always be part of her lifelong learning while discovering what’s next to her. She believes having one-time big-time OFW story has no real end.
It’s just the start of something new especially in the life of an OFW-bagged with adept of knowledge, experience, and memories.
Nhidz learned two great things. One- life is an endless journey. Don’t be afraid. But make sure things are all calculated- you know what you can do, and what you can’t do.
Lastly, enjoying every single moment as an OFW- from ups and downs, heights, and hopes, uphills, and victories. You need to embrace it and look on the positive side of it. You’ll realize later what brought you there, and how stronger you are.
Everything counts. Every moment matters. Every single journey equates to a milestone of real success.
