How The Voice of Domestic Workers Transforms Lives My Journey of Empowerment and Hope By Marigold

Hello. My name is Marigold Balquen.

I carry many roles with pride. I am a board trustee of The Voice of Domestic Workers (VODW), and I lead the Fundraising and Socialising Working Group. But beyond these titles, I am someone whose life has been deeply shaped, transformed, and given purpose through this community. Today, I want to share not just what I do, but what it truly feels like to be part of this extraordinary organization.

My Role as a Trustee and Working Group Leader

As a board trustee, I sit alongside individuals who share one powerful mission, to protect, support, and uplift domestic workers across the UK. Together, we make decisions that shape the future of our charity, decisions that can mean safety for someone in danger, or hope for someone who feels they have none left.

This responsibility is something I carry with both humility and determination. As the leader of the Fundraising and Socialising Working Group, my work becomes even more personal. I help organize events that bring people together, not only to raise funds, but to build a sense of belonging.

Every fundraising effort we make has a direct impact. The money we raise becomes food for someone who hasn’t eaten properly in days. It becomes a safe place to sleep for someone who had nowhere to go. It becomes clothing, financial support, and a second chance at life.

Our social events, on the other hand, create something just as important, connection. In these spaces, domestic workers laugh again, share stories, learn new things, and slowly begin to feel like themselves again.

My Greatest Experiences

There are moments in this work that stay with you forever. Some of the most powerful experiences I’ve had are meeting women who have escaped abusive employers. They arrive carrying invisible wounds, fear, trauma, uncertainty. Sometimes they come with nothing but the clothes they are wearing and a quiet hope that life can still change. Being able to welcome them, to offer safety, to remind them of their dignity, it is something I will never take for granted.

I have witnessed incredible transformations. I have seen women who once could not speak because of fear begin to find their voice. I have seen them smile again, stand tall again, and dream again. To watch someone rebuild their life, piece by piece, is one of the greatest privileges of my journey. It fills my heart in ways I cannot fully put into words.

How The Voice Changed Me

This organization has not only changed the lives of others, it has changed mine.

Before this journey, I did not fully realize the strength I carried within me. Through this work, I have discovered courage, resilience, and a deeper sense of purpose. I have grown more confident, not because everything is easy, but because I know I am not alone.

At VODW, we are more than a team. We are a family. We support each other, we listen to each other, and we stand together in moments of both struggle and strength. Together, we fight for justice. Together, we demand respect.Together, we remind the world that domestic workers deserve dignity and human rights.

Why Our Work Matters

For me, fundraising is not just a task, it is a lifelong mission. Every single contribution we receive carries meaning. It represents kindness, compassion, and belief in a better future. And in our hands, that contribution becomes something real, shelter, nourishment, safety, healing.

Our work is about more than immediate support. It is about restoring hope. It is about helping someone believe that their story is not over. It is about reminding every domestic worker that they are seen, they are valued, and they are not alone.

My Message

To everyone reading this, I want to leave you with this, Domestic workers are not invisible.They are not just workers.They are human beings with dreams, with families, with stories that deserve to be heard. They deserve respect.They deserve protection.They deserve a chance to live with dignity. I am deeply grateful to be part of the VODW family, a community that continues to inspire me every single day.

And I invite you, from the bottom of my heart, to stand with us. Whether through support, awareness, or simply sharing our message, you can help change someone’s life.

Thank you for taking the time to listen to my story.

With hope,

Marigold Balquen

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Migrant domestic workers who have fled abusive employment urgently need your help. They’ve left behind exploitation and are taking brave steps toward safety but they need support for basic needs like shelter, food, clothing, and counseling.

 "With your donation, we can provide immediate relief and a pathway to rebuilding lives in dignity and safety."