Georgina Velasco
Union Representative and leader of the Trade Union Working Group
‘’We are part of a big family therefore we are stronger in fighting for our rights.’
Georgina is VODW’s Union Representative and leader of the Trade Union Working Group, this group is the bridge between Unite the Union and VODW. Members are encouraged to be members of trade union but not mandatory. Their biggest task is to help build the Domestic Workers branch in Unite the Union.
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Georgina worked as a domestic worker in Hongkong in 1985 and was brought by her employer to London in 2009 under the old Overseas Domestic Worker Visa and now has a settled status in the UK.
Zaida T. Cenzon
Fundraising and Socialising Working Group
‘’Begin your day with a smile because that creates a positive attitude and that changes and makes everything beautiful.’’
Zaida is the leader of the Fundraising and Socialising Working Group since the time of Justice for Domestic Workers (J4DW). She is now guiding the new group members to take charge. Migrant Domestic Workers are often isolated and have no access to social life, this is why every Summer on the last Sunday of the month, this group arranges trips and social raising awareness events.
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Zaida is a domestic worker under the old overseas domestic worker visa and has British Citizen status. Zaida has 2 sons in the Philippines, and every year she visits them.
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Mimi Jalmasco
Education Working Group
‘’I want to challenge the wrong and inhumane system. I want to be an instrument to restore all the rights of domestic workers and give them justice and freedom not as victims but as workers with dignity.’’
Mimi is a mother of three and has been a Trustee of VODW since 2020. Mimi was the leader of Education Working and now guides the new members to deliver the classes and training. The Education group oversees every Sunday classes, training, and other activities.
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Mimi was brought in by her Arab employer from Dubai UAE in 2014 under the new system of Overseas Domestic Worker non-renewable visas. Mimi has given evidence during the review of the modern slavery act and has been speaking publicly about the urgent need for domestic workers’ rights to be restored.
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Marigold Balquen
Board of Trustees
‘’Together, we rise stand for change, giving voice to the voiceless and demanding dignity for all domestic workers.”.’’
​I am Marigold Balquen, a domestic worker from the Philippines and an advocate for domestic workers' rights since 2015. As an active member of The Voice of Domestic Workers, I have helped individuals escape abusive employers and raised awareness about the challenges we face. In my role as a frontline campaigner and leader of the fundraising working group, I am dedicated to securing resources to support our community. I am honored to serve as a newly appointed trustee, working toward a future where all domestic workers are treated with dignity and respect.
Grace Nine
Board of Trustees
‘’From a place of silence and fear, I found my voice through knowledge and empowerment. Now, I stand strong to uplift and fight for the rights of my fellow domestic workers—because dignity, justice, and respect are not privileges, but fundamental rights.’’
I am Grace, a mother of four and a domestic worker by profession. Thirteen years ago, my abusive employer brought me to the UK from Kuwait. At the time, I was naïve and unaware of my rights. However, when I met The Voice of Domestic Workers, they educated and empowered me to fight for my rights as a domestic worker.
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Since then, I have dedicated my heart to helping fellow domestic workers facing similar situations. I am a committed union representative and passionate advocate for migrant domestic workers, with a strong background in grassroots organizing and impactful campaigning. As an advisor to the Media and Communications Working Group, I use my experiences to amplify workers’ voices, shape narratives, and advance the fight for dignity, justice, and labor rights.
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I also completed six months of training as a speaker for Future Voice 1, further strengthening my ability to represent and advocate for our community.
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Florence Shivoga
Board of Trustees
‘’Equality knows no borders. I stand strong to fight discrimination and empower domestic workers—because every voice matters, every right deserves protection, and change begins with us.’’
I'm Florence Shivoga, a mother of three. I am rising to fight against discrimination because we are one people living on one planet, and everyone deserves equal rights—especially domestic workers here in England.
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I completed Future Voices 2 to strengthen my ability to campaign for our rights. I am part of the Education Working Group and have been appointed as a trustee, allowing me to help the organization continue supporting new members as they join us and begin their journey without fear of their former employers.
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I will continue to stand firm in campaigning for our rights until we achieve real change here in the UK. Thank you.