The People Who Carried Me Last Year By Shyrel

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 shaped by fear, isolation, exhaustion and turned them into a movement that demanded to be heard. You transformed lived experience into collective power. You turned shadows into light.

For too long, domestic work was treated as invisible, hidden behind closed doors and unspoken expectations. But you refused to accept invisibility as fate. By choosing to speak when silence felt safer, you created a sanctuary where thousands of workers have found not only support, but belonging. Through VODW, people who once felt alone discovered a family, a place where their voices mattered and their lives were valued.

You are the architects of hope. Through your unwavering commitment to education and empowerment, English classes, IT training, leadership development, and initiatives like the Future Voices Revolution 2025, you did more than teach skills. You restored confidence. You helped survivors rediscover their strength and recognize their own leadership. Today, those who were once silenced now stand in Parliament, lead national campaigns, and speak boldly for justice. That transformation is your legacy.

Your resilience is a gift not only to domestic workers, but to the world. From creative expressions like the Voices for Change art contests to the tireless, often exhausting fight for the reinstatement of pre-2012 visa rights, you have shown what collective action can achieve. You didn’t just challenge unjust policies, you challenged a system that normalized exploitation. In doing so, you taught every domestic worker an essential truth. You are worthy, you are powerful, and you are not alone.

A Message of Gratitude for 2026

As you move forward into 2026, may you pause and remember the impact of your first brave choice, to stand up when it was risky, to speak when it was difficult. Every rescue mounted, every law challenged, and every life rebuilt is a living testament to that moment of courage. Thank you for being the bridge from fear to strength, from silence to voice. Thank you for showing us that when one voice rises, we all rise.

Finally, to the friends who stood by me throughout 2025, thank you. You were my anchor during moments of doubt and weariness. Your encouragement was a quiet but steady force, reminding me that my worth extends far beyond my labour. As I step into 2026, I carry your kindness with me. I am deeply thankful for the beautiful circle of people who protected my spirit, walked beside me, and helped me arrive in this new year with a heart still full of hope.

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