Marites always dreamed of becoming a nurse. Growing up in Laguna, she was the one neighbors called whenever someone was sick. She would fetch water, cook soft meals for the elderly. or watch over babies when their parents were at work. Though she wanted to study nursing, her family’s financial struggles prevented her from pursuing it. Instead, she took a caregiving course, determined to still follow her passion for caring for others.
After years of working in small clinics and assisting midwives, Marites applied abroad and was hired as a caregiver in Canada. The oppostunity filled her with excitement and fear. She had never left the Philippines before, but she knew the chance could change her family’s life. She kissed her children goodbye, promising them that every sacrifice she made abroad was for their future.
Her first assignment was to take care of an elderly woman, Mrs. Thompson, who had limited mobility due to a stroke. Marites’s daily routine included preparing meals, assisting with bathing, monitoring medications, and keeping her company. At first, it was a struggle. The language barrier and cultural differences made communication difficult. Mrs. Thompson was reserved and hesitant. unsure if she could trust s stranger in her home.
But Marites’s patience and kindness slowly broke down the barriers. She would smile warmly, hum Filipino lullabies while preparing tea, and listen attentively to Mrs. Thompson’s stories about her younger years. Over time, their relationship grew. One day, Mrs. Thompson squeezed Marites’s hand and whispered, You’re like family to me now. That moment made all the loneliness and exhaustion worthwhile.
The work wasn’t easy. There were nights when Marites had to wake up several times to assist her employer, and days when she missed her children so much it hurt. She often cried silently before sleeping, holding her phone close to her chest after video calls with her family. But she kept reminding herself of her purpose; to provide her children with the education she never had and to build a better home for them.
Her dedication was soon recognized. The agency commended her for her professionalism, and other families began requesting her services. She even enrolled in evening classes to enhance her medical knowledge, determined to improve herself while working. Slowly, she saved enough money to send her eldest child to college and to start the construction of a modest house in her hometown.
When she returned to the Philippines for her first vacation, her children welcomed her with tears of joy. They showed her their school achievements and proudly said, Mama, dahil sayo, natutupad ang mga pangarap namin. (Mama, because of you, our dreams are coming true.) The house they had built together stood as proof of her sacrifices and perseverance.
Marites’s story as a caregiver in Canada goes beyond feeding, bathing, or giving medicine. It is about compassion that crosses cultures, strength that endures loneliness, and love that travels across oceans. She did not only heal wounds and ease pains she healed her family’s struggles and gave them a brighter tomorrow.
