by Danalyn
Life experience is my greatest mentor and guide, shaping my perspective and teaching me valuable lessons that I carry with me everyday. In life, it's important to remember that we don't always have to rush. Trust the process and remain patient, as we navigate the path towards our desired outcomes.
I am Dannah and I come from the coastal province in Pangasinan, Philippines, home to numerous islands, beaches,and waterfalls. I am the second of three siblings, and I was raised in challenging circumstances due to extreme poverty. When I was 12 years old, I started dreaming of becoming a professional teacher. When I was young, I realised no one in my family had completed their studies. It was tough to see my parents being belittled by our own relatives, so I dedicated myself to working hard and studying hard, hoping that one day I would graduate and pursue my dreams.
As I grew up, fate tested my family. My mother became sick, and to buy her medication, we had to use our savings that were meant for our studies. Everything disappeared like bubbles bursting. At times when there were things that I wanted, but that we couldn’t afford, my parents always shared a reminder with me in our dialect: “Agan anus ka anak dumten to met ti aldaw para kengka,” which means “My dear child, learn to wait, your time will come too”.
In my last year of secondary school, I realised my family couldn’t afford for me to go to college, but a new pastor at our church offered for me to stay with his family and to support my studies. I entered college and took BS Secondary Education but unluckily to finish, I lived with the family for four years, and was also able to support my older brother’s studies too. But destiny is just playful—while reaching my goal, life tested my family again. My father became sick, which led to him not being able to earn money for a living. I decided to stop my studies so my brother could continue his, and I believed in his potential. It hurt so much to accept it, but I had no choice.
I ventured to Manila to find work to support my family, and did different jobs over the years. I got married and we were blessed with a child. My son was often sick and needed hospital treatment growing up. We fell deep into debt that pushed me to work abroad.
My friend offered me the job as a domestic worker, and I entered the United Arab Emirates on a tourist visa. I worked for seven years, 16 hours a day with no days off. I endured everything because of the poverty my family was experiencing at home, and my fear of not being able to find another job. My abusive employer brought me to the UK, withheld my passport, and treated me the same as in their country.
I was abused and exploited and was only able to leave with the support of The Voice of Domestic Workers. I found out about this organisation because of a fellow Filipino that I saw in the park. She approached me, and asked how I was, and said I looked very tired. My hair was messy, and I was carrying bags and pushing a buggy while looking after six children. I thought that even other people could feel my suffering. I told her that I was okay and I distanced myself but she approached me again and again. I told her not to follow me because my employer was nearby. Before she left, she gave me her contact number and Facebook account, and told me to contact her if I needed help. She introduced me to Marissa, the founder of The Voice of Domestic Workers, and I shared my situation with her. Marissa and the charity’s volunteers developed a plan for my escape and helped me leave my employer.
I am now an active participant in The Voice of Domestic Workers, advocating for the rights of domestic workers. I am hopeful. I have been granted reasonable grounds under the National Referral Mechanism, meaning that I have been recognised as a potential victim of modern slavery and human trafficking, and acknowledging my need for protection and support. I am uncertain about what will happen next. It is challenging to navigate life without rights that are typically afforded to everyone else.
I am currently involved in Future Voices, which is a training and leadership programme for migrant domestic workers in partnership with Sounddelivery Media. This programme is helping me to regain my confidence and develop public speaking skills, with the goal of becoming a spokesperson in our community. The workshops and experience from this initiative are valuable and I look forward to sharing what I've learned with my fellow domestic workers.
Every step I take is towards my dream. I always remember the instructions of my parents when I was younger, to focus on the solution and not on the problem. With patience, I am waiting to hug my loved ones again. Every drop of tears when I am homesick attacks me. As I continue to stay here in the UK, I am not losing hope — I will continue campaigning with The Voice of Domestic Workers to return our rights: the right to renew our overseas domestic worker visa and the right to change employers. Equal rights are for everyone.
About the author
Danalyn is 31 years old and was born and raised in Pangasinan, in the Philippines. After graduating from high school, she worked as a housekeeper, and later as a nanny for six years in the United Arab Emirates. One of her passions is cooking, and she also enjoys writing Tagalog poems as a hobby.
Danalyn is part of the Future Voices programme, a unique leadership and training programme run in partnership between the Voice of Domestic Workers and Sounddelivery Media equipping a new network of migrant domestic workers with the knowledge, skills and confidence to share their stories, influence public opinion and advocate for change.
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