After sacrifice of leaving her child, OFW mom finds 'family' with employer in Jordan

"Walang inang gustong lumayo sa mga anak."

(No mother ever wants to be away from her children.)

Liezl Joy Atido has uttered these words many times over—a truth that has defined years of her life measured not just in the oceans and miles away from her family, but in the quiet sacrifices that come with being a mother working overseas.

Now based in Jordan, Atido is among the millions of Filipino mothers who leave home not by choice, but by necessity.

Her story, featured recently in GMA Pinoy TV's "The Heart of Global Pinoys", offers a familiar narrative of hardship, but coupled with unexpected compassion, belonging, and a different kind of family found far from home.

Before leaving the Philippines, Atido worked as a domestic helper. Life was difficult. Their house leaked when it rained, and finances were uncertain.

"Dahil sa kahirapan ng buhay, gusto ko talagang mabigyan ng magandang buhay 'yung pamilya po," she shared.

(Due to poverty, I really wanted to give my family a better life.)

Like many others in her community, she saw overseas work as a path forward. What she did not expect was the emotional cost.

Her child was only two years old when she left.

"Mahirap kasi sa dalawang taon pa lang ng anak… hindi pa niya maintindihan," she said.

(It's hard because at two years old, your child still doesn't understand.)

She missed her child's milestones like first words, small achievements of youth, and the everyday presence that bring joy to motherhood. The separation, she said, is something no mother truly wants.

Finding 'family' far away

In Jordan, Atido found something she did not anticipate: a sense of home.

She describes her employer not just as a boss, but as a maternal figure, someone she calls "nanay" or mother.

"Kahit hindi ko siya tunay na nanay… pinaparamdam niya sa amin talaga 'yung tunay na pagmamahal ng isang nanay," she said.

(Even if she's not my real mother… She makes us feel a mother's genuine love.)

According to Atido, the household treats workers as part of the family, a sentiment echoed by her employer, who said she does not see her Filipino staff as workers but as relatives.

Atido isn't alone in her journey in Jordan. Fellow Filipinas working in the same household spoke of similar experiences, forming bonds with colleagues and their employer through long hours of shared routines and mutual care.

They take on responsibilities that mirror motherhood itself: caring for children, managing homes, nurturing families that are not their own.

"'Yung ginagawa ko sa kanila… dapat 'yung nanay 'yung gumagawa," one of them said.

(What I do for them… should be what a mother does.)

The reason for sacrificing

Despite the relative comfort she has found in Jordan, Atido remains clear about why she left the Philippines and the reason for her sacrifices.

"Wala akong ibang hiling… kundi sana dumating 'yung time na hindi na kailangan pang lumayo sa anak," she said.

(I have no other wish… except that the time would come when we no longer have to be away from our children.)

Her message to fellow OFW mothers is simple, but grounded and resonates clearly:

"Huwag natin kalimutan kung bakit tayo nandito sa ibang bansa… para sa mga anak natin."

(Let's not forget why we are here abroad… for our children.) — VDV, GMA News