A former Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) has created an innovative solution for fellow OFWs to get fresh vegetables without the hassle of going to the market. Rosalyn Dalina, who spent 10 years working in the Middle East, now runs the OFW Natural Organic Garden Inc. in Payatas, Quezon City, where she offers a “pitas all you want” scheme for free.
In a recent episode of “Good News,” Dalina shared her journey from being an OFW to becoming a full-time gardener. Her passion for gardening was sparked during the pandemic when she and her friends decided to start planting vegetables. Despite earning a good salary abroad, Dalina chose to return to the Philippines to spend more time with her children.
“Magga-graduate ‘yung anak ko ng college kasi magtatrabaho na siya. Ang dami niyang pangarap sa amin. Sabi niya, ‘Ako na mama,'” she said, highlighting her desire to be with her family.
Dalina’s organic garden features a variety of vegetables such as Chinese kangkong, eggplant, okra, and mustard greens. The land for the garden was loaned to them, with the group covering the water expenses. They use only natural fertilizers for their plants.
Currently, Dalina’s group has over 40 members, many of whom are also former OFWs who chose to stay in the Philippines and pursue gardening.
“Nakatulong ‘yung pag-a-garden namin sa pang-araw-araw sa pamilya. Nalibre kami ng mga gulay, ‘di na namin kailangan bilhin. Tapos organic pa siya. Nasa 20 percent siguro ‘yung nalibre natin. Kasi mahal ng bigas ngayon,” said Nhelmalyn Trinidad, one of the group members.
Dalina encourages patience and perseverance in gardening, believing that hard work will eventually yield fruitful results.