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As the clock struck midnight on New Year’s Eve, I found myself reflecting on the past year and looking ahead to the new one. For many, the new year is a time for parties, resolutions, and celebrations, but for me, it is a time for reflection, love, and gratitude. As a domestic worker, I made the difficult choice to leave my family behind, traveling far from home in pursuit of a better life. It’s not always easy. The nights can feel long, and the distance can feel heavy. But e

For me, New Year has always been one of the most meaningful occasions of the year. It is a time that symbolizes hope, fresh beginnings, and the promise of positive change. While many people celebrate with grand parties, extravagant meals, and lavish trips, I have come to realize that happiness does not depend on money or grandeur. True joy lies in simplicity, presence, and connection. This past New Year, I chose to celebrate in a way that was both simple and meaningful. Even

As the new year begins, my heart turns to all my fellow domestic workers, those who have left home, crossed borders, and faced challenges we sometimes cannot put into words. To all of you, my deepest wish for 2026 is simple but heartfelt: stay strong, stay hopeful, and stay faithful to God. We may all have different stories, different journeys, and different reasons for being where we are. Some of us left to provide for our families, some to chase dreams we’ve long held in ou

To all my fellow migrant and domestic workers, As the new year begins, my heart turns to you, to all of us who have left the warmth of home behind. We didn’t just carry our own dreams when we crossed borders; we carried the hopes of our families, our children, and the people who believe in us. We came to this new place with courage, faith, and the quiet determination to build a better life, even when the road is uncertain. My wish for us this year begins with unity. Unity is

To my family, As this new year begins, there are so many words I’ve been carrying quietly in my heart, words I rarely say out loud because I don’t want you to worry. But if I could sit with all of you, just for a moment, this is what I wish you knew. What I Wish You Knew Every time I send money home, I’m not just sending numbers. I’m sending my love. I’m sending my gratitude. I’m sending a piece of myself back to you. I wish you knew how thankful I am to be able to provide fo

Today, my heart feels lighter than it has in a long time. And it came from something simple, yet deeply meaningful, having a genuine conversation with someone I love. In a world that often moves too fast, taking time to truly talk, to listen, and to feel seen is a rare gift. That moment reminded me that connection, even across distance and change, still has the power to heal. My heart feels light because I have finally embraced a difficult truth, letting go is not abandonment

One achievement this year stands above all others, something I hold close to my heart with deep pride. Reclaiming my legal status and my sense of self. With the guidance, patience, and unwavering support of The Voice of Domestic Workers (VODW), I was finally able to restore my status after years of living in uncertainty. This moment did not come easily, it was earned through survival, endurance, and an unbreakable hope that refused to die. When I look back on nearly seven yea

When I heard that Labour is planning to change the path to Indefinite Leave to Remain from five years to ten, something inside me broke. It wasn’t just disappointment. It wasn’t just worry. It was a familiar terror rising in my chest, the same panic I felt when I was trapped in modern slavery. That feeling of having no control. No choices. No future I could rely on. For years, I had been holding on to 2030 like a lifeline. I counted the years not because I was impatient, but

As the New Year arrives, I find myself pausing, not only to celebrate, but to breathe. To sit quietly with my thoughts. To remember where I came from and why I am here. Being a Filipina working in the UK has taught me that the New Year feels different when you are far from home. It is no longer just about fireworks, loud countdowns, or welcoming another calendar year. It becomes a deeply personal moment. A conversation with yourself about purpose, sacrifice, and the strength

To the visionary founders of The Voice of Domestic Workers (VODW) , most notably Marissa Begonia , Mimi Jalmasco , and the brave domestic workers who stood shoulder to shoulder on March 15, 2009 , this is written with a heart full of gratitude and reverence. What you began was more than an organization. It was an act of courage in a world that had grown comfortable ignoring domestic workers’ pain. You took stories whispered in kitchens, bedrooms, and back hallways, stories sh

Staying hopeful while being far from home is never easy. There are days when the distance feels heavier than usual. When familiar voices, faces, and places exist only in memory. In those moments, it’s natural to feel lost, lonely, or unsure of where you truly belong. But even in the quiet ache of missing home, hope can still grow. One way I’ve learned to hold on to that hope is by creating small routines that remind me of home. Simple habits, making my favourite drink in the

Christmas feels different when you are working far from home. It is quieter, heavier, and filled with a kind of longing that words can barely explain. The lights may still shine, the calendar still says December, but the warmth of being surrounded by family is something I deeply miss. Yet even in this distance, this season reminds me why I continue to keep going. I carry my hopes with me every day. I hold tightly to my dreams, especially on the nights when loneliness feels lo

As I step into 2026, I carry with me not just dreams, but a deep determination to become a better and stronger version of myself. This year is not about rushing or perfection, it is about growth, learning, and choosing to believe that I am capable of more than I once thought. One of my biggest goals this year is to continue studying and gaining new knowledge. Education, for me, is not only about books or certificates; it is about empowering myself. Every new skill I learn is

My Goal for This Year as a Domestic Worker. As the new year begins, I find myself reflecting on my journey as a domestic worker, what I’ve achieved, the challenges I've faced, and the dreams I still hold close to my heart. Each new year offers a blank slate, a chance to set goals, and take steps toward bettering myself and my future. This year, I want to prioritize growth, both in my career and my personal life, taking small but meaningful steps to build the life I’ve always

There are days when life feels heavy. When exhaustion settles deep in the bones and silence becomes louder than words. Yet even in those moments, I am reminded that I am not walking this journey alone. There are people, places, and blessings that quietly hold me up, giving me strength when I feel weak and hope when I feel tired. My Daily Inspiration: My Children Every day, my children are my greatest source of inspiration. They are the reason I wake up and keep going, even on

As the New Year begins, I send my warmest wishes and deepest respect to every domestic worker and migrant worker across the world. No matter where this message finds you, whether in a quiet room after a long day’s work, during a short break, or in the stillness of the early morning, please know that you are seen, you are valued, and you are not alone. May this year bring us renewed strength, dignity in our labor, and opportunities that lead us closer to the lives we are worki

My deepest prayer for you, my children, is simple but powerful, that you learn to love one another and always respect your father. I know there are moments when it is not easy to understand your Papa. There are days when misunderstandings happen, when patience feels hard to find, and when emotions run deep. But I hope you remember that respect and love are choices we make every day, even when it is difficult. For me, and for all of us as a family, nothing matters more than se

Before 2025 comes to an end, I want to pause, breathe, and speak from the deepest part of my heart. First and above all, I thank our Almighty Father. God has always been there for me, even in moments when I felt lost, afraid, and unsure of what tomorrow would bring. When I had no answers, He gave me strength. When my heart felt heavy, He reminded me that I was never alone. Every step I have taken, every small victory, and every tear I have wiped away was carried by His grace.

Hey you, I know you’re trying so hard to hold everything together, even on days when it feels like the world is asking more of you than you have to give. I see the way you keep showing up, even when you’re tired, even when your heart feels heavy. I know how often you carry things quietly, telling yourself you’ll rest later, that you’ll be okay once you get through this  moment. But as this New Year begins, I want you to pause. Take a deep breath. Let the noise soften for just

This year, I am choosing myself more without guilt and without apology. For so long, I have learned how to be strong for everyone else, how to keep going even when I am tired, how to smile even when my heart feels heavy. But this year, I promise to take better care of my mental and emotional health. I will listen to my body when it asks for rest. I will allow myself to pause, to breathe, to be human. I am learning that I don’t have to carry every problem alone, especially tho