Cielyn

“I had to think about the pros and cons before we decided to move to the UK. Families and friends I will leave behind, comfortable life and support group. But there’s one reason why we’re here now and that is to have a better future for my daughter”

Cielyn moved to York more than 10 years ago. She was fortunate to continue working for the same multi-national company she used to work for back in the Philippines. This made life easier for her. The different nationalities in the office gave a very welcoming environment. She also works remotely with people from other countries.

There are some challenges too. There was a time when some kids bullied and made fun of her. She was called names and was mistaken for someone from another Asian country. It seems like they thought that all Asians come from only one country. Another incident was when she applied for her national insurance number and was asked why she speaks good English. If you were in Cielyn’s situation, how would you react?

She is a volunteer litter picker and a member of the Fairy Trail at the Foss to help maintain the beauty of York. Cielyn is also supporting local businesses, especially cafes such as Brew and Brownie, where she is a frequent visitor. And with friends from and outside work and also some Filipino friends that she considers as family, York is her new home.

"The past few years were tough because of the pandemic. Being far from the family and worrying about them took a toll on my mental health. Anxiety and depression settled in. It is Catholic faith that helped me during this difficult time." Cielyn goes to church and take this opportunity to see some of her Filipino friends as well.

This rosary is a gift from a friend, who gave it to Cielyn when she moved to the UK. She bought the wooden cross on her first visit to Notre Dame in Paris. As a practicing catholic, she always believes in the saying “Nasa Diyos ang awa, nasa tao ang gawa”.