23/03/2026
I used to stand in front of a classroom in the Philippines, guiding young minds, feeling that every lesson I taught was shaping a future. Teaching wasn’t just a job for me, it was my purpose, my passion, and my identity. Now, here I am in New Zealand, far from that familiar world, working as a retail pharmacy assistant during the weekdays and a dishwasher on weekends. These roles are so different from the life I once knew, and there are moments when I quietly miss the sound of my students’ laughter and the joy of teaching. But despite the distance from my dream, I hold on to the strength that brought me here. These jobs may not reflect the profession I once had, but they give me something equally important, stability, a sense of security, and the ability to support my family. Every long day and every tiring shift carries a deeper meaning, because behind it all is love, sacrifice, and hope for a better future. And somehow, that keeps me going.
