Empowering Domestic Workers: A New Initiative to Cultivate Community Leaders
Hong Kong’s vast community of approximately 400,000 domestic helpers, predominantly women from the Philippines and Indonesia, are set to benefit from a groundbreaking collaboration between two non-governmental organisations. Uplifters and EmpowerU have joined forces to launch a comprehensive training program designed to equip these essential workers with the skills and confidence to become community leaders, thereby strengthening support networks for their peers.
Many non-governmental organisations, while dedicated, often face resource limitations that hinder their ability to provide individualised support to domestic helpers. These workers typically labour under long hours, far from their families, and frequently encounter a complex array of personal and professional challenges. Recognizing this gap, Uplifters and EmpowerU have pooled their expertise to create a program that directly addresses the financial and emotional stresses faced by this community.
“These individuals carry immense pressure, including financial burdens, the pain of family separation, and symptoms of anxiety,” explains Zoe Mau Hiu-tung, Head of Development and Communications at Uplifters. “Many are also dealing with debt incurred from high upfront recruitment fees and the urgent needs of their families back home. In such circumstances, they naturally turn to each other for support.”
The initiative, aptly named “Dare to Lead,” is among 13 projects selected to receive funding from the annual Operation Santa Claus (OSC) fundraising campaign. This crucial financial support will enable the development and deployment of an online course in the coming year, targeting 180 female migrant domestic workers aged between 20 and 50.
A Curriculum for Empowerment
The “Dare to Lead” course is meticulously designed to provide participants with a robust skillset applicable to both their personal lives and their roles within the community. Key modules will include:
- Leadership Development: Fostering the ability to guide and inspire others.
- Effective Communication: Enhancing skills for clear and empathetic dialogue.
- Conflict Resolution: Equipping participants with strategies to manage disagreements constructively.
- Public Speaking: Building confidence in articulating ideas and concerns.
- Event Planning: Developing organizational and logistical capabilities.
- Peer Support: Training individuals to offer emotional and practical assistance to fellow workers.
- Mental Health Awareness: Promoting understanding and early recognition of mental well-being issues.
The overarching aim of these training components is to empower participants to actively support their peers and to fortify existing support systems within the domestic helper community.
This ambitious project leverages the established online course infrastructure of Uplifters and integrates it with EmpowerU’s highly regarded two-year curriculum. EmpowerU’s program, delivered through a blend of online and in-person sessions held on Sundays at the University of Hong Kong, already covers vital topics such as pre-migration preparedness, understanding legal rights, and effective money management.
Practical Application and Real-World Impact
The “Dare to Lead” program adopts a practical, hands-on approach. After completing 10 hours of online training facilitated by Uplifters, participants will have opportunities to apply their newly acquired leadership skills within both organisations. This includes active participation in EmpowerU’s leadership practicum program.
“This will equip them with the essential skills they need to become effective leaders within their own communities,” states Bradley Aaron, Executive Director of EmpowerU.
The transformative impact of such training is exemplified by Ailenemae Ramos, a 41-year-old Filipino domestic worker who has successfully completed courses from both Uplifters and EmpowerU. Ramos shared how she learned invaluable financial management techniques, enabling her to establish an emergency fund equivalent to at least three months’ salary. This financial cushion proved vital when she made the difficult decision to leave an exploitative employer.
During the challenging period of the Covid-19 pandemic, Ramos, with encouragement from Uplifters, channelled her experiences into a book of poetry titled “Beyond the Sunset.” This poignant work offers a powerful insight into the lives of domestic helpers. Furthermore, she founded a migrant writers’ club in Hong Kong, creating a platform for shared expression and community building.
Ramos has actively applied the skills she gained to assist fellow migrants. She has taught them how to resolve disputes, establish their own emergency funds, and effectively communicate their rights, including reminding employers of their legal obligation to provide 24 hours of rest each week. Her personal impact extends to inspiring a friend to find the courage to leave an abusive relationship.
“It truly enhanced my leadership abilities… It motivated me to strive for more,” Ramos reflected, expressing her deep desire to help her peers realise their aspirations. “Many employers perceive their helpers solely as workers. I hope that in the future, employers will listen to us, understand our passions, and embrace their domestic helpers. We are more than just employees,” she added with conviction.
Broader Horizons and Community Resilience
Both Uplifters and EmpowerU hold the vision that the skills imparted will extend beyond the immediate context of Hong Kong. They aspire for these empowered women to become agents of positive change, not only within their diaspora communities but also upon their return to their home countries.
In a recent tragic event, student volunteers from both organisations provided support to victims of the devastating Tai Po estate fire. This incident, which claimed 159 lives, including one Filipino and nine Indonesian domestic workers, underscored the critical need to better equip helper groups for providing frontline aid during crises.
Following the immediate resettlement needs of those affected by the Tai Po inferno, the charities plan to offer ongoing support to the migrant worker community. In the interim, Uplifters has made its online mental health course readily accessible to individuals impacted by the tragedy.
Operation Santa Claus (OSC), a joint initiative established in 1988 by the South China Morning Post and public broadcaster RTHK, has a remarkable track record. To date, it has raised approximately HK$396 million for over 365 charitable projects, positively impacting the lives of more than 100,000 individuals throughout its history. In addition to its annual fundraising drive, OSC has launched an emergency appeal specifically to address the urgent needs of those affected by the Tai Po fire. All proceeds from this year’s campaign will be directed towards the 13 OSC-funded charity projects and the community partners actively involved in the relief efforts in Tai Po.
