I could still remember the days when I was struggling to get into a flight when I was just a few inches away from the plane that would take me to Hong Kong as stopover and a personnel blocked me informing me that there were a few hitches and I need to sort it out before I could get into their flight. It created a complete embarrassment on my part doing it in front of many passengers! Some were concerned and some threw intriguing glances. Eventually, I did get on that plane after a few hours of making calls and arrangements. Definitely I was off to UK! Stepping out of the airplane after a 13- hour flight, queuing for immigration checks lasting 40 minutes, I was so glad to see beaming familiar faces welcoming me at Heathrow Airport- Marie and Mike (MCR Ltd Directors) and Reama (a co-student) who came in 2 weeks ahead of me. That was a fulfilment after many years of struggling to be able to go abroad.

Myla with the Old Vicarage Nursing Home residents on a boat trip to Lake Vyrnwy.

Many weeks followed of adjusting to environment, people, culture, language and of course the ever unpredictable British weather whom in time I’ve come to love, while my co-workers thought I was mad loving it after coming from a sun-kissed country where they always thought of as paradise. When my NVQ in Health & Social Care Level 3 through MCR Ltd started I thought I would be having a hard time but thankfully my assessor & MCR Ltd. were so supportive. Ten months passed by and I have completed all my course work including submission of evidences and portfolio.

It was a great sense of fulfilment when I received the NVQ Certificate from the Awarding Body for satisfactorily passing the course, thank GOD! It had crossed my mind of what’s going to happen next. After few pondering, I decided to stay here in the UK and pursue the NVQ at Level 4 through MCR Ltd. But I soon realised I have to apply for my visa extension.

The whole visa application process was the same as when we had back home- acquiring all the supporting documents and having enough personal funds to back up my application (better save up early as you can). It wasn’t a painful process having Marie andMike guiding and assisting me all through the way. When I finally received my Identity Card for Foreign Nationals (ICFN), a new scheme with the Home Office replacing the visa stamp on passport, that’s when I was able to have a big sigh of relief- what a ride of stress and tension! Now facing NVQ 4 for two years, I know that I can do it again with more perseverance, hard work and just believing in thy one self.

I am truly enjoying my stay here in the U.K. that I didn’t totally notice that it’s been 17 months since I first arrived. It seems that 28 October 2007 was just yesterday. How time flies, really!

Looking back, I made friends (Filipinos, British and other nationalities), visited some beautiful places in this country, and completed my NVQ Level 3. As an individual, I become more mature and responsible.My faith and patience were tested, three months ago, while preparing for my visa extension application. Things got a little bit rough. Trials have been pouring.

Sometimes, worries and fears would overwhelm me. But I didn’t lose hope. I prayed hard even when it was hard to pray. It was during these times that I felt God’s interventions. It was during these moments that I felt God’s presence.

I am truly happy being granted 2-year extension of my visa. I am grateful to those people who were instrumental on its success and even more grateful to Him, whose love and goodness are everlasting.

Now, as I continue my journey with MCR Ltd in undertaking the NVQ in Health & Social Care at Level 4, I look forward for an even brighter days. Whatever future brings, I firmly believe that in God’s right moment and at the right time, things will come into place. Nothing could possibly go wrong, I remain.

From the left: Faith Pormilos, Jane Davies, Nadine Messham, Donna Lou Lastica & Jasmine Chua.

The MCR students undertaking the NVQ in Health & Social Care Programmes in Shropshire & Wales areas had a general meeting on 3 March 2009 with the NVQ Assessor, Jane Davies. The students who attended the meeting are namely: Jasmine Chua from Vrnywy Nursing Home; Faith Pormillos & Myla Malicay from the Old Vicarage Nursing Home; Joy Ann Villegas & Reama Caballas from Oaklands Residential Home and yours truly from Hafod House Residential Homes. It was also graced by 3 Matrons: Nadine Messham (Hafod House Residential Home); Bobie Lloyd Jones (Vrnywy Nursing Home) and Mel Maddocks (The Old Vicarage Nursing Home).

It was a good opportunity for networking with the other students and it also enhances support amongst each other. Jane, who has been an assessor for a number of years find the managers very welcoming and was impressed with their enthusiasm in providing support to us students. The meeting has given us enlightenment and direction as to what we have to achieve throughout the course. There were exchanges of expectations and personal experiences which were very valuable. I am looking forward to this undertaking and with the support of our assessor, our care managers and MCR Ltd., certainly and there are more great learning opportunities ahead of us while we are moving on with the NVQ Programme!

The excitement I felt knowing that I’ll be going to Great Britain is beyond words can describe. My first wonderful journey started when I first set foot at Heathrow Airport at 4:00 in the morning where I felt the coldness of the wind touching my face and my heart beating of great joy. The MCR Directors personally met us at the airport and took us around London to see spectacular sights which I never thought of seeing them for real. We walked passed through the Tower Bridge of London (mistakenly taught to be London Bridge that has fallen down depicted in the nursery rhymes); it was indescribable feelings being actually in the place I ever wanted to see.

Privileged as I was on my first day, Ma’am Marie & Sir Mike surprisingly took us to the magnificent and historical colleges of Cambridge University, one of the top 5 universities of the world, historically traced as the foundation of education where the world renowned Nobel Laureates studied and have shared their knowledge to the world. It was a worthwhile experience even just an ordinary person like me was able to visit the school campus of the most brilliant and gifted individuals such as Albert Einstein, Charles Darwin, etc. Later on the day, we headed to Peterborough in Cambridgeshire where MCR head office is situated and the domain of most of my first experiences in the U.K. like watching the Greyhound race. I’ve been to places I can only imagine, thanks to MCR Ltd for giving us the opportunity of a lifetime experience. Yes, it used to be a dream; but now, a dream came true.

Life was simple and happy back home, I was one of those happy go lucky bachelors and just lived life for the moment and never thought of the future, never have crossed in my mind that someday I would leave the comforts of my family, friends and simple work and hobbies back home. As soon as I got off the plane, I knew my life will be a whole lot different. A lot of myself was still left back home, but upon getting out of Heathrow Airport, my Aunt and my her family and a friend from MCR Ltd. was outside waiting for me with a warm welcome and a sense of home sickness was suddenly filled up because of their presence.

I finally got the chance to meet my MCR family during the welcome party MCR has prepared for us new comers. I never thought that there were quiet so many of us. That time I felt a sense of being a member of a big family. I have enjoyed every single moment with MCR- from the time we had our welcome party, a week’s induction and visiting places (it seemed that I have already toured half of Great Britain) was great!

But like all great things in this world it will always have an end and it will never stay beautiful and nice forever, I did prepare myself for that and knew all along that one day reality will hit us hard in our head and do what we came here for, hard work to earn money at the same time earn a good qualification. Basically it did come to a reality; I started my journey on the British roads in October 2008, it changed my life forever.

My journey in the British Roads

My work placement allocation is Domiciliary Care, unlike my other group; they were allocated at Care Homes in different places. Domiciliary Care is something new to me and this is actually providing home care to service users in the community. I was so excited to commence my training but unfortunately I have to undergo a Criminal Record Bureau (CRB) clearance, a pre-requisite prior to commencing my work placement. I was totally crushed and disappointed thinking that it has taken a bit longer for my clearance to come through while my other batch mates have already commenced their work placement.

Time came when I was all set for my work in Domiciliary Care. I was issued a personal car to use for work. This is when my journey on the British Roads has started to move again to a better direction. As a domiciliary care giver, I have to do day to day visit to the elderly in the community who may require certain care and assistance on their activities of daily living. Sounds an easy job, but it is definitely a big challenge for me. British roads are very different from Philippines. Some journeys were daring and risky adventure I have ever done. I had to encounter frost, thick snow and even breakdowns in the middle of nowhere just to get to where my care is needed. With the help of relatives and friends I did manage to adjust pretty well. I started my job perfectly as a beginner with my new best friend TOMTOM, a Satellite Navigation Device which gives me the exact direction of the places where I want to visit & is 90-100% reliable. Never gets me lost and gives out the right directions.

Now as time passes by I find myself very well adapted to the roads, traffic and weather conditions in this country. On the other hand, working in the community gives me the pleasure to see nice views in the country side, meet various people and being able to provide my caring service to the elderly is rewarding.

On this journey, I have learned new skills, gained great experiences and most of all the realization that we Filipinos are very flexible in all situations and we strive to deliver what is needed of us amidst the hardship in accomplishing them.

I am still riding in the long British roads at present and maybe someday it will lead me to a nice place where all my hopes and dreams will come true and all my hard work and dedication will pay off someday in the long British roads.

It was fantastic! MCR Induction is not just the sit-and-listen affair but it is the all-in-one package of learning, excitement, adventure and friendship. – A kind of experience that beats my expectations.

There are lots of things to say actually and to inspire with let me share the learning experience. On one hand, it was comprehensive, fun, stimulates knowledge and skill, promotes and equips capability, two-way process of learning and most of all helps build your competence and confidence. On the other hand, Marie, MCR Managing Director is a deliberate and brilliant instructor. Packed with knowledge, remarkably professional, influential, persuasive, amiable and she made me cry! LOL… I could remember when it was my turn to share something with the class, I uncontrollably burst into tears… ohh goodness me, I was truly astonished of myself. Anyhow, I’m so grateful for such experience it was so fun and memorable.

Excitement and Adventure – it started from the 17 hours flight to London via Hong Kong. It was early morning when we arrived and it was cold and foggy in London at that time. We were toured around the city –looking at for the very first time the Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, The Eye and the Tower Bridge. What a beautiful sight it is! Big smiles we have as we took some photos. And the moment we arrived to our destination place in Peterborough, the excitement continues. Believe it; we were welcomed with a get-together party! - A party of delectable food, pleasurable games and new friendly faces. More to say, there was no idle time during the days of the induction. Each day after the course, we sightsee and visit places. We went to Burghley House, spent a night losing and winning bet at the Greyhound (a dog race), eat Chinese food and the succulent Fish and Chips, explored the town of Norwich and spent a wonderful weekend at Norfolk. Indeed it was a great adventure and what adds more to its excitement? I haven’t expended a penny.

Finally, what struck me most was the freshly found friendship. Each one of us came from all walks of life and we’re never friends. But the first time we all meet and gathered together during the party and on seems we all know each other for long. Isn’t it strange? I guess not. It just amazed me to rightly belong and fit in to the MCR family. We support, share and inspire each other particularly at work and attaining our NVQ’s. Miles away from my family (I terribly missed them so much!) and home, I feel blessed to have a family here in UK which is MCR.