Looking for another employment opportunity became difficult for Glenn Amador of Lapu-Lapu city when he lost his job in 1999 as a Load Dispatch Engineer in a Power Plant located at MEPZ1 Lapu-lapu City. The need to look for another means of livelihood made him set his eyes to working abroad. To get an overseas job, he registered at WorkAbroad.ph, an overseas job site.

After posting his resume, only one week passed when he received an e-mail from an agency scheduling him for an interview. Fortunately, he was qualified and got hired. His first overseas job was in Saudi Arabia and this is where he experienced the reality that working abroad is indeed not a bed of roses.

He had to live and share a room with eight persons so he barely had enough space for his personal belongings. The shelter that the company provided is even located in a very old and filthy building. Also, he did not receive any salary for six months. These were trying times for him because his wife in the Philippines was pregnant with their first child. He almost decided to go home then, but because he had no money in his pocket and knew that there is no job waiting in the Philippines, he just persevered and concentrated in his work.

Six months passed before he is able to receive his full salary. After finishing his contract in Saudi Arabia, he again applied for an overseas job and this time he was assigned in Kuwait to work as Mechanical Piping Supervisor.

Glenn is luckier in his second stint abroad. He now lives in a decent and fully furnished house with one bedroom and one bathroom for each person. His present salary of USD 3400 a month excluding overtime is four times bigger than what he previously earns in Saudi Arabia.

In this job, Glenn was selected by his company to handle the most complex part of the Aromatics Project. His work performance in the project was excellent so his boss offered him a permanent position in the company.

Now, Glenn doesn’t have to worry about the time when his work contract will end. Little by little, Glenn can say that he is starting to fulfill his dreams for his family-- to give them a better life. With his overseas job, he had already bought a property and the new house for his family is soon to be finished. He is also able to send his children to a good school.

Glenn’s message to all OFWs around the world? Trust in God. Through hard work and honesty maabot din natin ang ating mga pangarap na magkaroon ng magandang kinabukasan ang mga pamilya natin.