For Jan Reoven Sialana from the Philippines, landing a job in Australia before the coronavirus hit has made all the difference to him and his family.
“If I wasn't able to come to Australia and get a good job, I don't know how I would’ve been able to survive at all,” he told Dateline.
Jan is on a temporary visa working as a surveyor living in Sydney, with his partner Joe.
His mother, father and sister -- who are in the Philippines -- all lost their jobs amid the pandemic, and now they all rely on his support to secure their housing and essential needs.
The Philippines have imposed hard-line lockdown measures, including stay-at-home orders with the exception of going out to buy essential goods or exercising outdoors
“They're mostly depending on my remittance and nothing else. They can't find jobs. They can't even run small businesses, at all.”
COVID-19 will push between 40 - 60 million people into extreme poverty in 2020 alone, according to the World Bank.
Since the pandemic, Jan has had to triple the amount of money he usually sends home to the Philippines.
Jan told Dateline that he’s happy he can help his family and he’s not counting how much he sends over.
“Well being a man and being a Filipino, a son of a Filipino family, I feel like, I've been able to live to my expectations because I'm able to provide for my family, especially in these times, like, right now. They're all in need and it’s just fulfilling.”
Globally, 800 million people are supported by family members like Jan working abroad, according to the UN.
Ryan Sta Maria, also from the Philippines, arrived in Melbourne in 2018 on a tourist visa. He worked three jobs as a; pastry chef, all-rounder at Max Brenner and a cleaner.
With those jobs in tow, he was able to provide for not only his family but the rural community school in Southern Leyte where he grew up.
Like many, he was impacted by the restrictions that came with coronavirus and lost all three jobs. Although, he is staying positive.
“When I realised I didn’t qualify for any COVID-19 relief and losing my jobs in June, I was faced with some of the effects this pandemic has had on us all,” he said.
“Losing your job and having your income reduced can cause significant emotional distress. But it taught me to be more fruitful and be more resourceful in my life every day,” he said.
His dad also lost his job as a glass and aluminium contractor, although, while Ryan Sta Maria’s income is significantly less, he still sends savings to his family.
To continue supporting the school, he innovated by creating a social enterprise named Spice of Life Gourmet selling home-made Filipino products where all proceeds go toward resources.
“To be honest I am mostly concerned about the school. I don't want them to get disappointed and I know how hard life is there. Hopefully, I get to reach my target sales, I will be able to buy them heavy-duty printers and more paper.”
Similarly to Jan, Ryan Sta Maria told Dateline that it is his responsibility to help his family.
“My family has always been by my side in ups and downs. They taught me how to be a better person. Even with or without us having money.”
He hopes that he can do as much as he can to continue helping his community during these tough times.
“With the community, I always believe that one small act of kindness can create a ripple that can spread across the whole world.”
Ryan Sta Maria is staying in high spirits about what the future holds after studying digital media, business and marketing.
“There is no doubt that these are unprecedented and challenging times. However, I still am thinking positively on getting a career and what my next steps might look like.”
Both Jan and Maria Ryan hope their visas will get extended in Australia for their family’s sake.
