My name is Gemma, and I’ve been living in Hong Kong for 4 years now. I work with the same employer. I chose to come here because it’s close to the Philippines and offers higher pay compared to places like the Middle East. I have relatives in HK, so they told me about HK before I came. I think the culture and everything is similar to what I thought. We all have different faiths and beliefs, but it’s still the same as what I read about Hong Kongers. I’m Christian, and the relig

It was really hard to get jobs in the Philippines. I was a secondary teacher, and I taught English. But I don’t teach anymore. There's a lot of paperwork for a teacher in the Philippines, and there is still a lot of work after business hours. Usually, you work for twelve business hours, and then you go back home. But you still have to work, because you need to prepare for the classes. There were a lot of teachers that were stressed from their work. So I prefer my current job

I’m determined to keep working hard, not just for my future but for my children’s as well.

Now, I’m happy; I want to stay in Hong Kong for longer. If my employer gives me another contract, then I’d like to stay with them. 

Overall, I’m grateful for my long-term job and the good treatment from my employer. Despite a few bumps along the way, my experience here...

We Filipinos always think about our family back home. I don't have savings; I send everything back home, and this is fine with me.