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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

How do you stay hopeful when you are far from home? This question lingered in my heart as New Year’s Eve arrived. A night usually filled with laughter, family gatherings, and familiar voices. But this time, I welcomed the new year alone. Far from home. Far from the people who know my silence and understand my smiles. That night, I stood by my window, looking out at a city that was alive with light. Buildings shimmered, streets glowed, and the world outside seemed to be celebr

Dear younger me, You have been through more than most people could ever imagine. You were not the only child born into hardship, but you were one of the many who learned far too early what survival meant. From the moment you opened your eyes to this world, life did not offer you softness, it offered you responsibility. At just seven years old, while other children were still learning how to play, you were already learning how to cook rice and do household chores. You went to

As I welcome 2026, my heart carries a quiet but powerful wish. I wish for a year filled with happiness, meaningful opportunities, and good health, not only for myself, but for my family, my friends, and my fellow domestic workers who continue to give so much of themselves every single day. The new year always feels like a pause, a moment to breathe and reflect. It reminds me of the many journeys we are all walking. Some filled with joy, others marked by sacrifice, longing, an

My dearest Mother, Father, and family, As another year begins, my heart naturally finds its way back to you. While the world welcomes the New Year with bright fireworks, loud music, and joyful noise, I greet it quietly, holding onto memories of home, your familiar voices, and the simple moments that once felt ordinary but now mean everything to me. Being far from you has taught me how powerful love can be, even across great distances. Every sacrifice I make here, every long d