By: Bhing Navato

 

THIS IS FOR YOU, YOU SHOULD START TO LISTEN

NOT JUST TO MY WORDS BUT TO THE CRY OF THE HIDDEN.

TO REMIND YOU THAT WE ARE ALL HUMAN BEINGS

FORBIDDEN OF OUR RIGHTS, TREATED LIKE WE ARE NOTHING.

 

I BELIEVE THAT WE ALL CAME HERE WITH ONE GOAL

TO PROVIDE FOR OUR FAMILIES, HELP THEM WHEN THEY CALL.

BUT HERE’S A STORY OF ONE MIGRANT HERE

WAITING TO BE HEARD, HER EYES ALWAYS IN TEARS.

 

I APPLIED FOR THE JOB, FULL OF HOPE AND CONFIDENCE

NEVER KNOWING THAT MY DECISION WOULD COST MY INDEPENDENCE

THEY HAVE A NICE HOUSE, AND NICE PEOPLE THAT I CAN SEE

BUT SOMETIMES, I KNOW SOMEBODY IS WATCHING ME.

WITH CAMERAS AROUND THE HOUSE, EVERY MOVE IS SEEN

EVEN IN MY ROOM; TO CHANGE CLOTHES, I’M NOT AT ALL KEEN.

 

MY REST DAY IS FORBIDDEN

WHEN I MAKE A MISTAKE, I AM NOT FORGIVEN.

SOMETIMES, A PUNCH IN MY BACK OR A SLAP ON MY FACE

WHEN I CRY, THEY WILL SHOUT AT ME SO LOUD, IT WILL BREAK THE VASE.

 

WHEN I’M SICK, THERE IS NO SICK LEAVE

NO MATTER HOW BAD I FEEL, THEY WON’T EVEN BELIEVE.

FOOD FOR ME IS LIMITED.

TALKING TO OTHERS IS PROHIBITED

A CELLPHONE IS NOT ALLOWED

WHEN I GET CAUGHT, THEY WILL SHAME ME TO THE CROWD.

 

BUT STILL, I WORK WITH DETERMINATION,

WITH MY FAMILY AS MY INSPIRATION.

I TRIED NOT TO COMPLAIN TO AVOID TERMINATION

BUT NO MATTER WHAT I DO, MY FATE IS STILL MY EMPLOYER’S DECISION.

 

I KNOW NOT EVERY DOMESTIC WORKER IS LIKE ME

SOME EMPLOYERS MIGHT BE AS GOOD AS CAN BE.

BUT I’M ONE OF THE HIDDEN THAT YOU CAN’T SEE OR HEAR

ALL I NEED IS YOUR HELP. PLEASE GET ME HERE.

 

 Bhing Navato is a domestic worker, who volunteers at HOME on her Sunday off, to assist other domestic workers at our Lucky Plaza Helpdesk