BBC’s 100 Women project recently featured a Pinay domestic helper and her Hong Kong employer. The show highlights the inspiring stories of women from all walks of life fulfilling their unique roles in the 21t century.
In one of their episodes, the program featured Marites Samson, a 32-year-old OFW currently employed in Hong Kong who has left the Philippines to pursue greener pasture and provide a better future for her two children. Originally, Marites was from Cabangan, Zambales.
There is, however, a big price to pay for working abroad. Part of that is the fact that she only sees her children every two years whenever she has to renew her contract. As you can imagine, it is often a difficult experience to bid farewell each time she has to go back to Hong Kong again.
“As a mother, it’s so hard to leave your children,” Marites said. “When I left, they were crying, crying. But if I didn’t go, nobody would support them.”
Her two children live with her mother and sister. She is already separated from her husband whom she caught cheating. Since then, she took the role of being both the father and mother to their children.
Meanwhile, Karen Lam, Marites’ employer, works as a college lecturer. She claims that she works “at least” 9 hours a day and she says Marites is a big help for her family. With her handling the household and childcare chores, Lam is better able to focus on her work and be a better provider for the children.
Our hats are off to both Marites and Karen for being amazing mothers to their respective children. They may be doing different kinds of work but their goals and intentions are both noble. We salute them for working really hard and prioritizing their kids over their own comfort.