My name is Maureen Mansat Lebii and I arrived in Australian on August 1, 2016. 

I always wanted to be called “OFW” (overseas Filipino worker) because people in my country look up to them and admire them.

OFWs serve as their family’s provider and they are considered heroes in my country because they contribute to our country’s economic development.

So my aim was to follow in their shoes. Growing up in a third world country, and now having a chance to live in Armidale, Australia, is an achievement for me, and a dream come true as well. It gives me great hope that Australia can provide better opportunities for me to improve my family’s life.

However, though coming here with lots of positivity, excitement and happiness, challenges still need to be overcome. Patience, faith, and staying strong is all I need for me to reach the greatest success in my life.

Being a farmer’s daughter, going abroad was out of reach. My parents managed to send me to school until I finished a degree, and became a registered nurse in the Philippines. My father would always tell me that education would change our life. Somehow, working hard in my country with a degree does not make me earn well.

I then met my dear husband who is also a nurse. We got married and I gave birth to our lovely daughter.

I felt dissatisfaction in the life we had, and for what we could provide for our child. Knowing that Philippines is becoming poorer, I thought back to my lifelong dream but, this time, planning to study and live overseas took me some time to decide.

Being the youngest child of my mum and dad, I always wanted to be there for them and take care of them.

 Additionally, at first, my husband refused to come and live here in Armidale. He was content with what we had in the Philippines, and he just wanted our lovely daughter to grow up with our parents in her life.

Over time, my dream grew more intense and my daughter became my inspiration to strive for the best.

So, no one stopped me from pursuing my plan. I continued our applications and while preparing all the documents needed, suddenly my whole family supported me with my decisions.

Though with doubts and uncertainty, prayers helped us get through the process.

Eventually, we found ourselves enjoying the August wind of Armidale, Australia. We have seen the great difference between the developed and developing countries.

The first obstacle in my life here in Australia, was that I was the only Filipina in class.  It was a great challenge for me because I was so terrified - I didn’t know anyone in the class or anyone in the University of New England, and at first I felt alone and lost.

As time went by, I learnt that I don’t need to know anyone, or to be with anyone to pursue what I came for. All I need is to have faith in the Lord and in myself that I can do this.

I find searching for a job difficult, and my husband and daughter have taken time adjust to the food and weather, but we look at the positive side that the three of us are all here… enjoying the country life of Armidale.