My name is Yolanda (Yolly). I was born in Sta. Cruz, Laguna, Philippines and I’m the youngest of seven siblings. I got married at a young age and had three children. My life was not good with my ex-husband because he was beating me and my children, and he was very irresponsible. From 2009 I worked in the Middle East with different families. In 2017 my Qatari employer decided to come to the UK and they brought me with them to look after the two children. But my life became difficult because the 24/7 work became the cause of my illness. I had no rest or days off. 

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On January 18th, 2018 I escaped from them with the help of a carer from the hospital and I got the contact details of the charity Kalayaan. But unfortunately, they did not have accommodation for me to stay which is why they referred me to the VODW. I became an active member and now I am the Education Working Group leader of this organisation.

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Future Voices gave me a big impact when I saw and witnessed the effect of the first 12 Future Voices which proved that the 6 months of training built their confidence. I realised that I must do the same.

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If I have been given a chance to speak in public. I would share my story and the stories of other migrant domestic workers. For them to understand what kind of life we've been through, the problems, the situations, and the system here in the United Kingdom. We are still fighting and campaigning to restore the rights that should be given to all migrants or even the veteran domestic workers here in the UK. Not everyone is OK!