Dear Host Family,
*thank you for taking the time to read my letter.
My name is Donna and I am 21 years old. I know this might only be one of the many letters from the potential Au Pairs, however, be assured that you'll be pleased to read my story about becoming an Au Pair for you.
At present, I'm living with my parents and siblings. We are located on Mindanao Island in the Philippines, province of Misamis Oriental particularly. I have a big family and I am the seventh child among eight children. Due to some personal problems, I didn't get to proceed to college after. I was actively engaging with different youth organizations online, advocating mental health, joining activities in the community, and doing both academic and skills to enhance myself. Of course, I have a not perfect family, but contributed the greatest factor to who I am today. I know some of us have scarred from our household. Others may aspire to become any member of their family, become like mom or dad, like the one sister or brother, and would even look up to their family as something to be acclaimed for. Well, mine taught me the opposite. It takes so much from me to become more of me. It's a takeaway I always keep that every one of my family has shown me, is something I told myself not to be one of. As a human who possesses a growth mindset, who aspires to be better every day and to experience growth solely as it is, the toxicity my family brings to me took a toll on my mental health. To have gone through all of my quite not-so-good experiences at such a very young age transformed me into the person that I believed God made me to become. Yes, I experienced abuse in all forms. I was even abandoned by my parents. Despite the not-a-half-yet experiences I have mentioned, I breathe here to live for the hope of it all. To become simply the hope. To share my love and faith that even many times you have been destroyed by the storms, you have been helpless, were left abandoned, and even when everyone turned their back against you, God never will. The truth is that I wasn't lucky with my family, but God has the best way of providing me with a family that I met only for a day, a family that I only encountered across the street, a family I found from my neighbor who becomes my best friend, yes, I'm living for the strange faces I get to see anywhere, somewhere in the daily that I firmly believe God has blessed me.
On the other hand, personally being an Au Pair is part of our living as Filipinos. I have nieces and nephews as well and I enjoy being taken care of. It's tiring yet fulfilling. Anywho, I love taking care of people regardless if you're a child or not. That's just how I am. I am a very open-minded person. This is supposed to be my first time living abroad, but it's not a big deal for me since I am an extremely independent person. I know how to adjust and adapt to new places and people. I too have stayed in different households so I know now better how to manage myself. I think communication is the best key to avoiding misunderstandings. Exceptionally, in taking care of children I do not do it just because it's my work I also help them to become better individuals as they grow up. It's crucial when you grow up that you are taught good morals and the right conduct at home in your early years. I am strictly accountable for my obligations aside from being a very sweet-loving person too. Have confidence I'm no problem dealing with. But it takes a while to bring out the funny-jolly-crazy side of me. Anyway, I'm raring to go meet the whole family, and welcome me as part of it too. I can't wait to sit and talk with you and listen to each other's life stories. It'll be great to start this journey altogether. Yes, I might lost my own family, but maybe now I've found it. We never knew. Please know that I will wait to hear back from you dear host.
All the love,
Donna