Bavaria, Germany
Bavaria, Germany
Filipino Nurses Association Germany e.V.
Our Founders
Rofelia Ancheta
Over the years, from the Philippines to Singapore to Germany, I had worked in many different roles in the field of Nursing. I was a trained ICU Nurse, administrative nurse, clinical quality nurse and an informatics nurse.
The most fundamental lesson I have learned as a foreign nurse for many years, is to have a strong sense of self. This would give you a steady ground and would always pull you back up when you feel low and starting to doubt yourself and your abilities.
We (7 founding members) founded FNAG not for fame, nor to gather followers, but to encourage our community to work together to uplift the image of the Filipino nurses and our profession. I strongly believe that the only way to make things better for our community is by working together, with sincerity, integrity, respect, and professionalism.
Ramchand Lalwani
I am one of the filipino nurses who was recruited in 2016 through the German-Philippine government recruitment program. I was mesmerized by the beauty of this country and their rich culture. Fun with a lot of learning, scary and challenging, tough but rewarding. This is how I would describe my journey here in Germany. The genuineness of the people, the great social system and vast opportunity for nurses, are what attracted me the most in staying here much longer and probably permanently.
Since I moved here, I have been part of many different filipino nursing groups. I’ve always provided support to our fellow filipino nurses here in Germany when needed without being in the spotlight. I wish to continue such work, reason why I supported the establishment of the Filipino Nurses Association Germany. With the increasing demand for foreign nurses, also means increasing challenges for the newcomers. Even if by helping them to keep their expectations realistic or driving to town to meet them, I am determined to be of help and would only wish for the rest of the members of our community to do the same. Through little ways that you can, with little extra time you have, we can help, we can work together, then only we could expect good results.
Scarlet Sangalang
In my pursuit of a much better future for me and my family, I have decided to move to Germany after working for several years in Saudi Arabia. Let me tell you, I made the right decision!
I did not start my journey here without challenges. As a matter of fact, there was a time when I doubted myself and my decisions of moving here. Though it was really tough at the beginning, I stayed focus on my goals and my family back home, my kids and my husband, gave me an endless amount of hope and strength to just keep moving. Now, they are here with me and slowly learning to integrate to the German community.
My past challenges and the blessings I received from working here in Germany, are my motivations why I supported to establish the Filipino Nurses Association Germany without hesitation.
Living and working here in Germany may not be easy at the beginning, but it is rewarding.
Edward Fritz Marquez
Born competitive, I always thrive to achieve my goals. I am consistent in giving my 100% in everything I do, whether Academic, Hobbies, Sports, and Career. I don’t settle for average, I want everything to be Outstanding. I dislike hearsays and speculations. For me, being prepared and goal-oriented is essential in reaching your ambition.
My four years working in an Altenheim broaden my knowledge in this career. My milestones, from passing the Nursing Recognition exam, to becoming an “Ausgebildete Gerontopsychiatrische Fachkraft”, then being promoted as “Wohnbereichleitung” and now a “Stellevertretende Pflegedienstleitung”, happened with great effort and continuous desire to learn. A clear realization, that it is never too late for anyone to reach their dream. Trust yourself and your abilities and not let anyone dictate what you can or cannot do. Be brave! Take that first step to move forward.
FNAG is not an ordinary group, we are an Association who pledged to work as a team, giving our personal time to be of service to our fellow filipino nurses in and outside of Germany. We aim to unite our community and keep each other connected and not isolated. We encourage our colleagues optimize their potential, that would help them improve their adaptability, leading them to appreciate the high quality of life here in Germany.
“Alle Dinge sind schwer bevor sie leicht werden” —-Thomas Fuller
Maria Karen "Karcy" Viola
Since HS, being a yearly class officer, made me realize that I always have keen interest in governance and leadership. If I am not a nurse, I would probably be a public servant doing social services somewhere back home (in the Philippines). Then I became a nurse and landed here in Germany, where I started my Vlog journey, hoping to help my fellow filipino nurses.
Germany has thought me valuable lessons in life, like, discovering who I am, understanding my capabilities and harmoniously working on my limitations. Germany allowed me to grow as a single mother, as a foreign nurse, as a woman, as an individual. I wish nothing but the same for my fellow filipino nurses, giving me a strong motivation to help, whether by creating informative videos or creating the Filipino De Nurses FB Group or by becoming one of the FNAG founders.
I am grateful and humbled to be one of the founders of the FNAG. The mission and vision of FNAG resonates mine and what I would wish for our fellow filipino nurses. I am looking forward to what FNAG could bring to our Overseas Filipino Nurses in Germany and our community as a whole.
To know more about me, please visit my website at https://karcyviola.de.
Kariza Cabrera-Gabi
I am a 32-year-old new mom of a cute baby boy. I am currently working in an Acute Neurology Department at a Rehabilitation Clinic.
Before moving to Germany, I worked in Saudi Arabia for almost 5 years and I could say that, not all experiences are great when living and working abroad. I’ve learned to embrace every challenge and not be afraid to step outside of my comfort zone. Flexibility and adaptability are the most important characteristics one must have.
Personally, living and working as a foreign nurse in Germany means, learning the language, passing the Anerkennungsprüfung or Recognition Exam, adapting to the German culture, diligently paying taxes and insurances, and of course adjusting to the winter-wonderland cold weather. Aber es lohnt sich!
Inspiring other Filipino nurses who dream to work in Germany and help them with whatever resources we already have, are my motivations in establishing the Filipino Nurses Association Germany.
Lester Beltran
Aside from widened clinical knowledge and skills, resilience and humility are the two important lessons I’ve learned working for a government healthcare institution in the Philippines for 7 years. I brought these with me when I moved here in Germany in 2015 and are still helping me to keep going in this highly mentally and physical demanding profession. Gaining more knowledge and improving my clinical skills are surely fulfilling but, being able to be part of my patient’s life and their family, being able to support them with counselling and providing them comfort during their toughest time, is a great privilege!
Like most of the filipino nurses here, I also been through a rough beginning. Despite, I am determined to continue to achieve my goals. With a lot of hard work, open-mindedness to embrace this new environment and God’s continuous grace, I get to enjoy an independent and comfortable life here in Germany.
I am grateful and humbled to be part of FNAG and to have the opportunity to support our fellow filipino nurses back home and here in Germany.