Thhough I am a foreign domestic worker who is only free on weekly holidays, I endeavoured to improve myself and attended different seminars and trainings offered here in Hong Kong to upgrade myself and received certificates of recognition. I completed the training of the “Are you OK Ambassadors” programme run by the Christian Action and other groups to help exploited migrant workers, as well as the “Pathfinders Ambassador” programme to help migrants and their children. I have also joined programmes about legal knowledge, critical design thinking, writing, elderly care, financial literacy, culinary skills, etc. I am a volunteer of the Philippine Overseas Labour Office as well.
These trainings make me realise that we can always learn more as far as we are willing to spend time on it and it is good to meet different people.
— Fe Diza
I am proud to be a breadwinner of my family because I was able to send my brother to the university and at the same time I was able to learn things while supporting my family. I have completed an entrepreneur course from the Ateneo Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship Training Program for Migrants and I also attended Chinese culinary courses from the Culinary Arts Centre Hong Kong. What I have learned can be useful should I go home for good.
I also consider my four years’ working experience with my present employer an achievement. Our employment relationship is good as they treat me as part of their family and at the same time I serve them like my family. I don’t feel homesick or alone because I feel at home with them.
— Jerrymae Duterte
There are a number of things for which I am thankful to God but the greatest is my being a single mother. It was a big sacrifice to leave my two sons behind under the supervision of my parents. Providing love and care for my two small sons, even though I am far away, was not easy. I needed to accept the double role of a father and a mother to my kids; to provide their basic needs and to nurture them for a better future. During those times letters and long distance calls were the means of reaching out to them. Communication was difficult and the negative emotional effects to the boys caused by my absence were deep and huge. Thanks to their open mindedness, we are able to patch up the gap. I need to let them understand that my time spent overseas was not wasted as it was for their own good.
Today I pause to savour the fruits of my hard work and sacrifices. Life is a blessing as I see my two sons enjoying their own careers and raising their own families. Their successes and happiness are mine too. I welcome my future to see myself surrounded by my grandchildren, playing my favourite scrabble word game and sipping coffee. When nighttime comes for rest I dream to hear voices singing songs of love and kindness, hope and faith, peace and joy and a life well-lived on earth.
— Edna Manwong
Being able to help my parents and helping my sibling finish college education despite my own family burdens are for me my achievements. And now we are gradually building up our own small home.
I also consider it an achievement as I had the chance to travel to Europe with my employer. I need not spend a penny for this tour. I was able to see with my own eyes the other parts of the world which I thought I could only see through postcards and I enjoyed this experience.
— Marivic Dona Rizalte
I have joined different non-government organisations as an ambassador to reach out to people like the PathFinders to train the trainers, Mission for Ethnic Minorities Sexual Health to raise concern about AIDS. I am also a volunteer of the programmes run by the Equal Opportunities Commission and Mission for Migrant Workers. I gained a lot of knowledge to share and guide my fellow overseas workers who are seeking help. I feel like being a good Samaritan helping in my own small ways.
— Ginalyn Saldevar
