Alma never imagined that her nurturing hands, once used to care for her own children, would someday be her ticket to working in another country. A mother of three from Bohol, she had always been known in her barangay as Ate Alma who would help look after neighbors babies or assist the elderly when they were sick. Her dream had always been simple to give her children a chance at a better life than the one she had.
When her husband’s small carpentry business began to struggle, Alma made a difficult decision. She enrolled in a six-month caregiving course, determined to gain a skill she could use overseas. Soon after, she was accepted as a caregiver in Italy, tasked to look after an elderly woman named Signora Lucia. The offer came with a decent salary, free accommodation, and meals, but it also meant being away from her children for the first time in their lives.
Arriving in Florence, Alma felt both nervous and hopeful. She barely knew Italian, and the culture was very different from what she was used to. Her employer, Signora Lucia, was in her late seventies and had limited mobility due to arthritis. Alma’s role included preparing meals, assisting with bathing and dressing, accompanying her to doctor’s appointments, and most importantly, keeping her company.
At first, the job was overwhelming. Alma worried about making mistakes in the kitchen, struggled to understand instructions, and often felt homesick. There were nights when she would cry silently, clutching her phone after video calls with her children. But every morning, she would wipe her tears and greet Signora Lucia with a warm smile. Slowly, trust grew between them.
Alma discovered that caregiving was not just about attending to physical needs it was about compassion and patience. She learned how to cook simple Italian dishes like pasta al pomodoro and minestrone soup, which made Signora Lucia smile. They began spending afternoons together in the garden, where Lucia would share stories of her youth, while Alma listened intently, even if she only understood half the words. Over time, Alma picked up the Italian language, and with it, she gained confidence.
Her days were long and often tiring, but Alma found meaning in her work. Each time she massaged Lucia’s stiff hands or cheered her up with Filipino songs, she felt proud. She was not just an employee she had become a companion, almost like family.
Back home, Alma’s remittances made a huge differences. Her children were able to continue their studies, and her husband no longer worried about daily expenses. She even managed to send money for her parents medicine. During her vacation, her children hugged her tightly and showed her their medals from school. Her eldest whispered, Mama, we study hard because of your sacrifices. Alma cried, realizing that her absence was building their future.
In Italy, Alma gained more than financial stability. She discovered resilience within herself and built bonds that went beyond borders. Though caregiving was physically and emotionally demanding, she knew her efforts were changing lives her family’s and her employer’s.
Alma’s journey as a caregiver proved that love and compassion could travel across oceans. She may have left her children to care for someone else’s mother, but in doing so, she secured her family’s dreams while giving dignity and warmth to another life.
