Staff
Marissa Begonia
Founding Member & Director
Family and origin
Marissa is a proud single mother of three who travelled from the Philippines, Singapore, Hong Kong and the United Kingdom in search for decent living and a bright future for her children. She described that leaving her children behind was the most painful and difficult decision of her life but she had a dream for her children. Marissa is happily living with her 3 children in England and whenever finds time, she would visit her family in the Philippines. Read her award winning story
Family and origin
Marissa is a proud single mother of three who travelled from the Philippines, Singapore, Hong Kong and the United Kingdom in search for decent living and a bright future for her children. She described that leaving her children behind was the most painful and difficult decision of her life but she had a dream for her children. Marissa is happily living with her 3 children in England and whenever finds time, she would visit her family in the Philippines. Read her award winning story
Community Organiser and Campaigner
Marissa had experienced abuse and exploitation in the hands of many abusive employers and made her realised that she wasn't alone in this vulnerable work condition which led her to the founding of The Voice of domestic Workers previously known as Justice for Domestic Workers, a self-help group of migrant domestic workers campaigning for their rights and welfare in the UK. The Voice of Domestic Workers provide education and campaign for Britain's over 16,000 Overseas Domestic Workers Visa. Marissa is a Unite the Union Representative (Union Rep) for Migrant Domestic Workers, the biggest Trade Union in the UK.
In 2010 and 2011, Marissa represented the UK's Trade Unions (TUC and Unite the Union) in the Tripartite discussion of now international law International Labour Organisation Convention 189, UN Geneva.
In 2013 Marissa was also the representative in the High Level Dialogue on Global Forum on Migration and Development, UN- New York and was the speaker at the side event of the International Labour Organisation during the High Level Dialogue. Read spotlight on Marissa Begonia
Marissa is now the Vice Chair of Domestic Work Sector of the European Federation of Food, Agriculture and Tourism (EFFAT).
Ximena Ruiz Del Rio
Voice of Domestic Workers Coordinator
Ximena started the role of Coordinator at VODW in September 2022. She is a Designer working across the industries of Social Design, Art Direction, Graphic Design and illustration. More recently, she has begun focusing her practice on exploring the role of design in a social context, seeking to become involved in projects that address social issues and work towards the development of positive change.
A strong believer in the power of campaign and the power of community, she actively seeks the chance to work creatively with organisations and charities pushing these principles.
She first encountered the work of VODW in 2017 during a previous collaborative project and has now joined the team on a permanent basis. A chance to connect again with the inspiring VODW community and contribute towards the exciting and essential work of the organisation.