In a world where many careers span only decades, staying with one employer for over forty years is more than rare—it’s extraordinary. But for 73-year-old Janet H. Chang, her life in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, is marked not by titles or promotions, but by the children she helped raise, the lives she quietly shaped, and the inner strength that carried her through four decades away from home.
She took a leap of faith and never looked back
Janet first arrived in Saudi Arabia in November 1981, drawn by stories she had heard from fellow Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) about life abroad. “I chose to work abroad because I was intrigued with what I had heard from previous OFWs,” she recalled. Though she initially hesitated to leave her young children behind, her desire to provide them a better future outweighed the uncertainty. “The thought of giving them a good life and sending them to good schools—then I decided to push through with my plan.”
A medtech graduate and underboard, Janet first worked in the Philippines as an executive secretary, having risen from a clerk to secretary to the President and General Manager. But it was in Saudi Arabia, working for the Al Athel family, that she found herself in an entirely new role—first as a nanny, and eventually as the trusted head of the household.
Raising a family not her own, yet treated like one
Over the years, Janet transitioned from caring for toddlers to managing a household of staff. She now holds the role of Household Manager at Al Athel Palace, overseeing the day-to-day operations and ensuring everyone in the domestic staff fulfills their responsibilities. “I see to it that the people within the household are doing their respective assignments,” she said.
What stands out most for her isn’t the longevity of her service, but the relationships she has built. “The highlight of my job is I have raised six children and have molded them into good people—compassionate, caring, and understanding,” she shared with pride. One of those children is now a princess in Riyadh. “They call me ‘Mama,’ and the family treats me like their relative.”
Janet’s siblings also followed her path in service: her brother now works in Riyadh as a logistics manager, and her sister is a private nanny for the same household. Her three children, now grown and successful, continue to be the reason she remains driven.
Lessons from abroad, and hopes for the future
Living abroad has transformed her worldview. Surrounded by different nationalities, Janet has learned to appreciate diverse cultures and values. “It’s quite interesting to know all of these,” she said. The experience has also shaped her character. “Working abroad made me more independent. I have learned to be patient and more understanding.”
After her husband’s passing in 2020, she returned to the Philippines from 2017 to 2024 to care for him during his illness. Even then, the Al Athel family continued to support her. In 2024, she went back to Riyadh, resuming her place in the household she considers her second home.
As she begins to reflect on life after overseas work, Janet hopes to reopen her salon or bakery and become involved in programs for senior citizens. To fellow OFWs, she offers simple but profound advice: “When you go abroad, you need to have a lot of patience and perseverance. And first of all, you have to trust God in all your undertakings.”
