The Philippines and Farming to PSWs in Canada – a Couple Finds Their Passion, Together

How Did Their Journey to Canada Begin?

Donnabelle (Donna) and Ramilo began as classmates in the Philippines and shared a common dream to come to Canada. Highly educated in their home country, little did they know that their adventure would lead them, not only to the country they envisioned, but back to the classroom together, and a common profession making a difference in the lives of others as personal support workers (PSWs).

This couple is simply remarkable, their perseverance to overcome all obstacles and unwavering determination to build a life they can be deeply proud of, highly admirable. We had the distinct opportunity to interview Donna and Ramilo; their story is truly awe inspiring and we hope that for those looking to follow their hopes to achieve their heartfelt desires, that it will show you that absolutely anything is possible.

Here’s what they had to share.

The Journey Begins

Ramilo came to Canada in September 2019.

What Brought Us Into the PSW Program in Canada?

“I came to Canada to study agriculture at Fanshawe College and got a job offer to manage a farm; they sponsored me. Of course this was during the pandemic, so it was hard to be far away from my family at that time, because you couldn’t go outside, couldn’t go anywhere. I worked there for three years as a farmer, a pig farmer and then, finally, my family was able to come here. But then I got injured at the farm, and my wife Donna and I decided to go together to Anderson College to become PSWs.”

In the Philippines, Donna worked for a prestigious university as a graduation assistant for more than 10 years but left to come and join Ramilo in February 2022.

“When I arrived, I didn’t have a job, but fortunately, after only three months, we got our permanent residency. I then had the opportunity to study and get an OSAP grant. Luckily, browsing on Facebook, I found some colleges, registered my name and then received a call from two colleges, one being Anderson College (formerly Westervelt College). We set up a time to go to the admissions office, and discussed the PSW program, which was government funded at the time.

“I interviewed with Miss Denise and took an exam; I passed. She was very excited for me. I was thrilled. I was new here in Canada, and I now had this opportunity to study in this government-funded program, under OSAP, with loans and grants and everything. I was very interested to study the PSW and then she asked me, what my husband was doing. I told her that my husband was a farmer working in Thorndale, working so hard. She asked, “Why don’t you ask your husband to take the PSW program with you?” I thought, “Hmm, that’s an interesting idea.”

“So, after that interview, I went home and talked to my husband, and told him that actually the admissions officer asked about you; why not study PSW as well, with me? He liked the idea of the PSW schooling. We went back to Miss Denise the next day; he took the exam also, and that’s it … we were classmates again.”

Ramilo further shared, “I was so happy for this opportunity. I hadn’t had the chance to experience graduation during college life in the Philippines or here at Fanshawe College, due to the pandemic. Of course, after the $20,000 I’d invested in education, I was upset because I was looking forward to a graduation ceremony as an international student. So, I was so excited to join as a PSW at Anderson College and finally have this experience, commemorating our accomplishments.”

Ramilo and Donna finally did get the chance to celebrate their achievements; they both graduated from Anderson’s London campus and their ceremony took place June 3, 2024.

Why Did We Choose Anderson College?

“Initially, I chose Anderson because it was closer to our home,” Donna said. “But when I talked to Miss Denise, I was really interested in enrolling because she was so approachable and nice, and she even encouraged my husband to study as well. Also, the other college required too many papers, documents and everything. So better yet to choose Anderson College.”

“Also, while searching for a job, there was a lot of positive feedback about Anderson College. You know, like most of the students, after they finish their program, they will get a job right away, because Anderson is well known here in Ontario,” said Ramilo.

What Was It Like Studying in the PSW Program?

“For me, it was very flexible since we had online classes for three months to study all the theories, and to finish all the books we had. Then after that, we had our practical skills for two months. I really liked the blended learning experience. Also, during the practical skills, all the strategies that our teacher knows about, caring for the residents, for the clients, were amazing; she taught us every detail,” Donna shared.

“All the faculty members treated us well. You know, it’s so overwhelming when you are in class in your college, the teachers, even through we are all from so many different nations, they were very understanding, and our classmates were very friendly also. The instructors really know what they’re doing. They taught us about their experiences at the hospital because they are all nurses,” Ramilo said.

Although the online classes were a little harder for Ramilo because he wasn’t used to being on the computer much and he was driving a lot for his job, he persevered and made it work.

Donna shared, “For me it was okay, because they give all the slideshows, the presentation, so it makes it easy to understand rather than just reading all the text in the book. The presentation makes it clear, and because we are just a small group, of about 20, in our program, we can connect with the instructor.”

What Did We Learn During Our PSW Practicum?

Donna shared: “As I mentioned before, I learned so much from our practical skills classes, all the strategies on how to handle the clients and how to use the mechanical lift. So, I applied all of that during my placement. I did my placement at Southbridge Long-Term Care Centre for 305 hours, and I completed it with 100% attendance. I learned so much from the practicum, especially since this is my first time having a caregiving experience as a personal support worker.

“Actually, during my placement, they asked me if I was a nurse back home. I said, “No, I’m an office girl.” They were all surprised because I really knew how to take care of all of the residents. And they actually kept me on after my placement. I worked there for a month, and then I applied for another position at St. Joseph’s Hospital.”

Ramilo shared: “While doing my placement at Mount Hope Centre for Long-Term Care, I gained a lot of experience and used everything we learned in school during that time. I enjoyed this, because it was different than what I’m used to. I’m a pig farmer. I’m used to dealing with animals, so that was a little bit of a transition, caring for the residents, older people with dementia. I remember when I was in high school, I took care of my grandparents too. So, while working as a PSW, you learn a lot and you will be prouder of yourself because you are helping the community, and because the government truly needs us, as healthcare workers, as frontliners.”

How Did Our Careers Grow After Graduation?

Donna’s placement led to an offer and then she branched out on her own applying for positions and used her Anderson instructors as references to land the dream job she’s in now.

Ramilo got hired immediately after he finished his placement at Mount Hope. “I got a job offer at Middlesex Terrace. I used my experiences at Mount Hope and as an Anderson alumnus, and the references from my teachers and clinical supervisor, to get that job. It’s been a year now at Extendicare, at Elmwood LTC here in London. And I also got a job at Oneida Long-Term Care. So, I have two jobs right now, and it has helped us a lot. We feel so lucky and so blessed, because after almost a year of working as PSW, we got our own house!”

How Did Anderson College Support Us?

Donna shared: “The team members at Anderson are all approachable. They are all friendly. They know their students and they treat us like family.
“Because of the PSW program at Anderson College, we have our careers now. I am proud to be a personal support worker and actually we are encouraging our new friends to study as personal support workers, to enrol at Anderson, because they keep on asking, “How did you do that?” I’ve been in Canada for only two and a half years, and I now have my own career, and my own house!”

“Being a PSW, as long as you can do it, you can work two or three jobs, Ramilo added. “On the farm, I worked so hard, but I didn’t get any pay increase and there was a lot of overtime and no paid holiday. This is the better path.”

“We just tell anyone we connect with to go to Anderson College, no other colleges, because it is easy to study, easy to learn, and to understand the program. After that, you will be able to get a job quickly, and in just eight months you will have a career,” Donna offered.

What Are Our Future Plans in Healthcare?

Donna shared: “We are really happy, and we are very overwhelmed with all the experiences we had at Anderson College with the teachers and the staff. We loved studying here, and I’m actually planning to study again. It’s just that, since we just got a house, I cannot apply for OSAP, because there is a threshold, and I cannot exceed that. But I told Miss Denise that once we are settled and if Ramilo can just work for us, I will study again and pursue a career in health information management.”

Ramilo shared: “I’m also planning to become an RPN and do a bridging program here in London. There is one at Conestoga, but it’s a little bit far away, so we have to manage well, because we have a six-year-old kid. Donna does the day shift and I do the evening shift, so we can have a balance. But you know, we love it. We are enjoying every minute of life right now.”
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This is what is truly possible when you focus on a dream and put forth all the effort and passion that it requires to achieve it. What a shining example they are for their child, for those aspiring students looking to explore a career, to pursue a PSW course in Canada. We could not be more thrilled for Donna and Ramilo, and we cannot wait to see where they soar next!

If you’re still considering if this type of career would align with your interests, why not Take the “Anderson College Personal Support Worker Career Training Readiness Quiz”?

But if you’re ready to leap and you too are looking to launch a rewarding PSW career helping others, like Ramilo and Donna, we’re here to help you navigate the steps along the way. Book an express appointment with an Admissions Advisor today!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How long does it take to complete a PSW course in Canada?

Most PSW programs, including ours at Anderson College, take 8 months and include both theory and hands-on practicum.

2. Is the PSW career suitable for newcomers to Canada?

Yes. Many newcomers start stable healthcare careers through PSW training because employers across Ontario strongly need PSWs.

3. What qualifications do I need to enroll in a personal support worker course in Canada?

You typically need a high school diploma (or equivalent), ID documentation, and sometimes an entrance assessment similar to what we completed.

4. Can PSWs get full-time jobs after graduation?

Absolutely. Both of us were hired immediately after our placements, and many classmates were too.

5. Does the PSW program help with gaining Canadian work experience?

Yes. The practicum (usually 300+ hours) provides hands-on training in long-term care, hospitals, and community settings.