“Anon Swagapino”,
Spring, TX
In the Philippines, it is not uncommon to hear your neighbors planning to go abroad. Persuaded by the stories of their fellow compatriots having better lives overseas or higher pay, it is difficult, especially when leaving family and friends behind. But success isn’t always the story; some will get exploited or trafficked. And some understand this, but contemplating the future in the native land, no matter how painful it is to leave, can be bleak, and there is only desperation: a leap of faith towards a greener pasture, hopefully. A sacrifice, a gamble; luckily, my Dad was able to secure a green card and eventually his American citizenship, which is why I am also here in the U.S.A., but I still grieve for those who were unfortunate, landing in a circumstance that was worse than where they started from. And I understand that some will not understand our struggles.
