Hello, today we interviewed a woman named Rosalie about her life. As a woman and a mother, she strives every day for her family. This article reveals the reality of financial struggles in the Philippines and one person’s fight against hardship.
Who are you?
My name is Rosalie. I live in Cagayan de Oro, Philippines. I am a mother of four children, and two of them are already university students. Financial problems in the Philippines are severe, and we are facing them too. All of my children are in school, and two are in university, which has the highest tuition costs. So, I work two jobs every day to provide my children with an education.
Tell me about your jobs
As I said, I work two jobs as a janitor and a nutritionist, both in the same hospital. I work as a hospital janitor from Wednesday to Friday, 5 am to 2 pm, and on weekends from 4 am to 5 pm. As a nutritionist, I work on Saturday and Sunday from 11 am to 12 pm. On Monday and Tuesday, I don’t work, but I do housework for the entire week, so it’s not really a break.
How do you feel about working as a hospital janitorial?
Good points: It’s a pleasure when patients are kind; some even give us snacks, which makes the work more enjoyable. However, there are difficult patients who act aggressively or curse at us without reason. We have to endure it, as it’s part of the job, and we understand that patients often feel stressed and anxious in their environment.
Bad points: The rooms I clean are often dirtier than those cleaned by regular janitors. Patients frequently have accidents, and I handle all the cleaning. Diabetic patients’ rooms get dirty easily, and dealing with the smells can be particularly challenging.
If you have an interest in her janitorial work, read this article
How do you feel about working as a nutritionist?
Good points: Many patients appreciate my work as a nutritionist because it’s vital for their health. Some patients recognize me from my janitor role, and when I bring their food, they are often happy to see me. This makes me feel good about my work.
Bad points: Sometimes patients dislike the taste of their meals and refuse to eat. When this happens, I have to explain the nutritional value and why it’s important. Occasionally, they are convinced, but I often have to listen to complaints, which can be emotionally hard. I also prepare pureed food for patients who cannot chew. Checking for any eggshells when adding eggs is time-consuming, as even a small shell can cause problems. This might be the hardest part of this job.
Tell me about your financial problems as a family
I am doing my best as a mother, but it’s challenging. My daughter wanted to be a nurse, and she worked hard to achieve honours and a scholarship for nursing school. However, the nursing program was still too expensive, so she had to switch to a social science course. She said, “It’s okay,” but it’s hard for parents to watch their children give up their dreams.
My husband works, but his job is not stable, and there are not many job opportunities here in the Philippines due to high competition. So, I am the primary income earner, but I am getting older and feel tired. Additionally, my daughter has developed a disease, and we need money for her treatment. Our finances are becoming tighter, but I am committed to working for my family. My children’s health and education come first, so I will keep fighting against poverty until they are all grown.
What is your dream
My children’s success, and someday I relax with no anxiety. My dream is for my children to succeed, and someday to relax without anxiety.
What is your favourite word?
Filipino can laugh even if they don’t have any money.
