From The Heart Of A Volunteer

I’m a domestic worker.  There’s nothing much that I can do, the nature of my work controls me, and what I want to do. Time is so precious for me, because I can only go out once a week. That day, I must spend my time on things I cannot do on weekdays. One day is not enough for many activities, and I have to plan my days off carefully. Aside from this, my thoughts are also with my fellow domestic workers who cannot speak for themselves, who don’t know what to do with their abusive employers, and who don’t even have a day off. I see them every day. My heart breaks when I see them being scolded in public by their employers. They cannot ask for help because their phone has been confiscated. They give me that “don’t talk to me” look, because they are not allowed to talk to others. There are so many of them here; domestic workers that suffer.

I have been blessed with good employers for so many years. With my great experience, I thought, I can help them, those that have been less fortunate. I can give advice that will help to ease their work problems. That is why I decided to volunteer with HOME. Doing this gives justice to my precious time, spending it in the best way. Being a volunteer to HOME Helpdesk gives me joy, especially when I see smiles on my peers faces. It means hope. It means trust. It is not easy listening to their problems. I must listen carefully to how they narrate their story to me. Sometimes, I get affected. While listening, I will put myself in their shoes. I empathize with them. But I need to show a brave front to assure them that it will be ok. Though it is not always like that. There are times that my peers will not like the solution I can offer, so I must think of a nice way to tell it to them. The most important thing is that they need to understand their situation. Sometimes, I will follow up on them to make sure they are okay. Sunday is not the only day I do my volunteering. I do it almost every day, through phone calls and messenger, day or night. I cannot ignore their calls.  Domestic workers that I spoke to, will share my phone number with their friends who needs advice too. And I appreciate it so much because I know this means they trust me. Some of them became my friends. I thank them for helping their friends. And that is the joy of being a volunteer.

Sometimes others do not understand why I do it, why I volunteer on my one day off? It is simply because I love doing it. I am a domestic worker, I cannot do everything but at least I can do something.

#bhingnavato