When One Voice Rises, We All Rise

Before I found The Voice of Domestic Workers, my life was lived in silence.

Every day felt the same, a cycle of endless work that began before sunrise and stretched far into the night. I woke up each morning to serve others, to cook, to clean, to care for families who often didn’t even remember my name. I lived behind closed doors, moving quietly through rooms that were not mine, taking care of people while feeling completely unseen myself.

I was invisible. My world was small limited to the space between the walls of the home I worked in. I couldn’t speak freely. I couldn’t make decisions for myself. I was isolated from the world, far away from my family, my friends, and my country. My rights were a rumour, and my hope was only a whisper.

I worked hard, harder than I ever thought possible. I gave everything for my family back home, believing that my sacrifice would one day make their lives better. But even with all that love and sacrifice, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was disposable. That no matter how much I gave, I could be replaced in an instant.

At night, when the house grew quiet, I would lie awake and think of home of my children’s laughter, of my parents’ faces, of everything I had left behind. I carried my worries alone, the weight of every fear and every homesick tear pressing heavily on my heart. There were nights when I cried silently, afraid that if anyone heard me, they would see my weakness. The loneliness was unbearable. Sometimes, I wondered if I would ever feel free again free to speak, to rest, to dream.

I didn’t know who to turn to, or even if I had the right to turn to anyone at all.

Then, one day, I found The Voice of Domestic Workers (VODW) — and everything began to change.

At first, I was nervous. I didn’t know what to expect. But when I walked through their doors, I was greeted not as a stranger, but as family. There was warmth in their smiles and understanding in their eyes. For the first time in a long time, I felt safe. The Voice of Domestic Workers is not just an organisation, it is a lifeline. When I came to them, I wasn’t just given advice. I was given something far greater: compassion, education, and hope.

Through their guidance, I learned about my rights as a domestic worker. Rights that had always been mine, but that I had never been told about. I discovered that I am not powerless, and that I am not alone. I met others like me, strong, brave women who had faced the same struggles, the same loneliness, and the same desire to be treated with respect. We shared our stories, our pain, and our dreams, and in those shared experiences, I began to heal.

The Voice of Domestic Workers offered me a safe space to learn and grow. They helped me improve my English so I could speak with confidence. They taught me IT skills, empowering me to use technology, something I never imagined I could do. I attended financial workshops that helped me manage my hard-earned money and plan for my future. I joined well-being sessions that reminded me to care for myself, body, mind, and soul. And when the weight of the past felt too heavy to carry, there was counselling a space where I could finally open my heart, cry, and begin to let go of the pain I had kept hidden for so long.

Each lesson, each conversation, and each act of kindness gave me strength. Slowly, I began to see myself in a new light, not as a servant, but as a woman of worth. Not as a victim, but as a survivor.

Because of The Voice of Domestic Workers, I no longer walk with my head down. I stand tall. I am seen. I am heard.

This organisation didn’t just help me survive, it taught me how to rise. It taught me that my voice matters, and that speaking up is not a risk, but a right. It showed me that our hard work is essential, that our dignity is non-negotiable, and that our humanity cannot be ignored.

We are not asking for kindness as charity. We are asking not demanding the respect and rights we have already earned through our labour, our loyalty, and our love.

Today, I speak not only for myself, but for every domestic worker who still feels trapped in silence. I want them to know that they are not alone, that they are strong, that they are worthy, and that their stories matter.

The Voice of Domestic Workers gave me back my courage, my confidence, and my belief that change is possible. Through them, I learned that when one voice speaks, others begin to rise and together, we are unstoppable. No one who cares for others should ever be treated as invisible again. Because now, we have found our voices and together, we will never be silent again.

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