Mariel turns responsibility into strength, building a future for her family while supporting others along the way
Mariel comes from the Philippines and grew up in a large family where responsibilities were shared. She has a professional qualification in care and support from her home country and worked in private care and in a small clinic. Her husband works abroad as a seafarer, and their child lives with the grandmother in the Philippines. Mariel migrated to earn a more stable income and support her family through regular money transfers. For her, migration is closely connected to responsibility: she wants to care for her family, even while living far away from them.
Mariel comes from the Philippines and grew up in a large family where responsibilities were shared. She has a professional qualification in care and support from her home country and worked in private care and in a small clinic. Her husband works abroad as a seafarer, and their child lives with the grandmother in the Philippines. Mariel migrated to earn a more stable income and support her family through regular money transfers. For her, migration is closely connected to responsibility: she wants to care for her family, even while living far away from them.
Challenges in the Host Country
In the host country, Mariel works night shifts in elderly care. She learns many important routines, such as documentation, hygiene and dealing with stressful situations. Working at night is tiring, and being far from her child is emotionally difficult. At the same time, Mariel tries to stay strong and disciplined. She plans her money carefully, so that she can cover her own costs and send money home regularly. She is proud that her colleagues value her calm and reliable way of working. Mariel knows that each step in language learning, work experience and planning can bring her closer to her goals.
Community Involvement and Volunteering
Mariel is active in her church community and in diaspora groups. These places help her stay connected to her culture, her faith and other people with similar experiences. She helps other migrant women with forms, appointments and finding language courses, because she knows how difficult the first steps in a new country can be. She also supports information sessions and donation activities through community and church networks. In her free time, she sings in a choir and writes in her journal. The choir helps her feel connected to others, while writing gives her space to reflect on her own journey and stay focused on her goals.
Aspirations and Future Goals
Mariel wants her existing competences to be recognised in the host country. She already has experience in care, but for the next professional step she needs further training and a formal qualification in care in the host country. She is working towards B2 because language is important for this path. Mariel wants to build on what she already knows and move step by step towards more secure work and better professional opportunities. In the long term, she can imagine building a small care cooperative with other migrant women, with fair conditions and mutual support. Her most important personal goal is to reunite her family and create a stable future together.
