Ramon grew up in Leyte, where most homes were made of wood and bamboo. From an early age, he learned to handle a hammer and saw, helping his father repair nipa huts and build furniture for neighbors. He discovered he had a knack for carpentry not just for building, but for shaping raw wood into something useful and beautiful. However. like many skilled workers in the Philippines, Ramon struggled to find stable and well-paying projects.
With three children in school and bills piling up, he decided to apply as a carpenter in Kuwait. The thought of leaving his wife and kids behind broke his heart, but he reminded himself that sacrifices today could mean a better tomorrow for his family.
When Ramon arrived in Kuwait, the scale of the projects amazed him. Instead of small houses or furniture, he was assigned to build interiors for hotels, offices, and villas. The carpentry work was more advanced than what he was used to precise measurements, high-quality wood, and complex designs. At first, he felt intimidated, especially when supervisors demanded perfection in every detail.
The first weeks were the hardest. The desert heat was unbearable, and working with protective gear made him sweat through his clothes. His hands developed blisters from constant sawing and hammering, but Ramon endured. Every time he felt exhausted, he thought of his children’s faces and the future he wanted for them.
Over time, Ramon’s skills improved. He became skilled in reading blueprints, cutting wood with precision, and assembling furniture pieces that looked like they belonged in magazines. One of his proudest moments was being assigned to work on the interiors of a luxury hotel. Seeing tourists enjoy the rooms he helped build filled him with quiet pride.
But the life of an OFW carpenter wasn’t just about work it was also about endurance. Loneliness weighed heavily on him. After a long day, he returned to a shared room with other workers, missing the warmth of his home. He relied on video calls to stay connected to his family, though sometimes the internet was poor. His youngest daughter once told him, Papa, when I see my desk, I remember you because you can make wood into something beautiful. Those words touched him deeply.
Ramon’s dedication did not go unnoticed. His supervisors praise his craftsmanship and even trusted him to train new workers. With his increased earnings, he was able to send money home regularly, covering his children’s tuition and helping his wife start a small sari-sari store.
After several years, Ramon finally returned home for a short vacation. When he walked through the door, his children hugged him tightly, proudly showing him the wooden chairs and tables they had kept safe, saying, Papa, we waited for you to fix these. That moment reminded him why he endured years away; not just to provide financially, but to give his children a brighter, more secure life.
Ramon’s journey as a carpenter in Kuwait proves that every nail driven, every plank cut, carries the weight of an OFWs love. He wasn’t just building walls and furniture abroad he was building dreams for his family back home, piece by piece.
