We hail our overseas contract workers as modern-day heroes.  They suffer separation and loneliness to ensure the financial well-being of their families.  This country stays financially afloat because of their remittances.  Unfortunately, the country pays a social cost for this prosperity. 

A certain school's population is comprised of children of OFWs.  Because one or both parents were away, these children were entrusted to relatives or friends.  They were easy prey to unscrupulous guardians.  In a class of 23, 7 were victims of rape. I was deeply shocked.

The world's history is peppered with stories like this.  Those of you who read Les Miserables or watched the musicale are familiar with Fantine. Her situation echoes that of so many during the industrial revolution--forced to leave their families to work in factories to eke out a living.

I guess aside from being modern-day heroes, our OFWs are modern-day Fantines.