My marriage unraveled when I was seven months pregnant. I think I had a nervous breakdown at that time. It’s hard for someone to go through a betrayal, but for a pregnant woman, it’s devastating.
That was the defining moment in my life which led me to who I am now, and it was definitely my motivation for coming to Australia as an international student, to give my daughter a better life. My aunt supported my daughter and I to come, and at first we stayed with my cousin. But after a year, my cousin had to go back to work, and there was nobody to help me look after my daughter anymore. As I couldn’t afford childcare, I had to send her back to the Philippines to stay with my mother. I miss her a lot.
In the Philippines, I was an office worker and had never done manual labour, but my first job in Sydney was in the fish market. Then I worked in a sushi shop, where the other staff were all Korean and I was the only Filipino. I didn’t know the first thing about making sushi and they didn’t speak English very well, so they were always shouting at me! Moving to another country teaches you a lot of stuff, like how to be brave and get out of your comfort zone. It was a really tough time, but it was also really humbling and it taught me a lot of things.
After I finished my Masters in Information Systems, a lot of doors were slammed on me professionally, and I was about to give up hope. I was always crying to my mom and telling her that I wanted to come home, but she just kept telling me to hang in there. Then finally I got this job working for a company owned by a Lebanese Australian. The owner is very kind. He told me he came to Australia when he was two years old, so he knows about the plight of immigrants. I’m so thankful for the opportunity.
I hope I can apply for my permanent residency soon so I can give my daughter a brighter future and we can finally be together.
Maria
Philippines
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#Philippines #Filipino #Australia #Sydney #migrant #migration #internationalstudent #inspiration #storiesnotstereotypes
Hang in there Maria. You have a beautiful future in the making
I hope you can have your daughter here soon too! Good luck with everything!
Stay strong, you will make it…????
Keep up your spirits and your ability to work hard and you can do anything
You’ve worked so hard! I hope your daughter returns to you very soon xx
Maria you are amazing! All the very best for the future. You have made your family so proud xx
Amazing. I don’t have children but admire the strength you show, determined to make a better life. Welcome! So glad you are here! Xxx
Very brave lady
Good luck Maria, hope you are reunited with your daughter very soon
Love that a fellow immigrant gave you a chance – speaks volumes about Aussies not giving you a chance sadly
What a story of resilience and not giving up! I hope everything works out for you and your daughter can join you soon. Thank you for sharing.
Maria you are so awesome and so brave! ❤️❤️❤️
You show a lot of strength Maria!
And so glad that person was open minded and gave you an opportunity in their company!
Love the family support too!
You are amazing. I hope you are reunited with your daughter soon.
Ella, you have come a long way. You grew balls and a backbone, neither of which your ex was capable of doing. well done sister and i wish you strength and much determination as you continue your journey as a single mom to your little girl.
Welcome Maria! I hope that you achieve your dreams!
Hang in there, you sound amazingly brave.
i love this so much Angel Lauren Meg
Hoping your daughter can be with you in Australia very soon.
A Lebanese immigrant, gives an opportunity to a Filipino single mum immigrant… ????… there are good people out there of all religions, backgrounds and ethnicities…great story of hope… this is what being ‘Australian’ is all about.
All the best for you Maria.. May the good Lord gives u enough strength for your daughter’s future..
Amazing Maria x if you keep trying, the struggle can’t last forever x
Congratulations. I admire you a lot. NAGTIYGA KA KAYA YOU BECAME SUCCESSFUL.
Our VISA applications for Oz wasn’t accepted throughout 1974-1976 for my professionally trained parents with 3 kids so we ended up in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It was a typical newcomer experience splattered with racial and bullying tactics by the neighbour (upstairs whose child and her gal pals) who pushed my pretty sister down the stairs to a Supervisor who skimmed money from immigrants (like my father who paid illegals dues) to keep their jobs. It was difficult at most times to get by, but worth it for my parents to give their children a better future…many countries owe a HUGE debt to immigrants who made the countries prosper and safe…????
Such a inspiring story thank you for sharing with us all the best for you and your daughter