Teaching and Mentoring Migrant Domestic Workers

By City Of Good  /
Share This

Anna Fernandez first chanced upon Aidha through her neighbour back in 2012 after relocating from Dubai to Singapore with her family. 

Her neighbour used to volunteer in administrative and teaching work for Aidha, a non-profit that helps migrant domestic workers (MDW) – who hail from countries like Indonesia, Philippines and Myanmar – based in Singapore.

After attending a session and seeing an alumni MDW speak about how the education she’d received from Aidha had impacted her life, Anna was motivated to volunteer as well. She explains, “It was really inspiring because you could see her determination to better not only her life, but those of family members as well”.

Anna now volunteers with Aidha on Sundays, teaching MDW students communication skills and confidence-building. What’s striking is how most of the students come in thinking that a bright future is impossible for them due to a lack of education. 

Anna explains, “For someone who doesn’t have anything, it’s so difficult to dream and have that hope that your life can actually be better. At Aidha, we give them the tools to make that happen”. 

Her students are taught skills to become an effective communicator, the importance of having a growth mindset, and how to equip themselves with perseverance and bounce back from failures.

2
Anna (front row in white dress) with her students from the Communications and Confidence class
(Photo taken before the Covid-19 pandemic)

Through teaching, Anna enjoys getting to know all her students and watching them improve through their coursework. “Their outlook in life changes. It changes them as a person, from being shy and timid, to having more confidence and being proud of who they are”, she adds. 

Friendships and camaraderie develop amongst the class, and she enjoys seeing the students helping each other out through the course. 

3
Conducting an online class with Aidha students

Being A Mentor and Friend

There were times when Anna went beyond the call of teaching to be a mentor and cheerleader to her students.

She recalls an incident in 2021 when her student received news of her son’s passing in the Philippines. Back then, country borders were closed, and travels were restricted, adding much stress and pressure on the student, who was pondering leaving her job in Singapore to go back home. 

Anna coaxed the student into staying, explaining to her that the quarantines and travel restrictions were in place not only for migrant domestic workers, but for everyone who wanted to travel abroad. 

“I told her to rise above her emotions and it was really important right now to keep her job and to keep pushing through with her dream. She couldn’t afford to lose that job because it was going to be so difficult”, Anna explained.

1
Anna (middle) and her students spending time together outside of class

Beyond improving their communication skills and self-confidence, some of the students aim to also do more for their own communities. Anna reveals, “It’s enjoyable seeing how they don’t just want to start their own businesses, but also to eventually employ people in their community. Coming from poor communities, they also want to help their people”. 

Change Can Start Small

Volunteering has taught Anna that education is such an important tool to change the trajectory of someone’s life.  

Her advice to those looking to give back to marginalised communities is to start small. “You don’t have to start big and dedicate all your time, it could revolve around your lifestyle. You can volunteer with things you’re passionate about or find something you’re interested in to share with the world.”

“Each one of us has the responsibility to make the world a better place and it doesn’t take much.”

Make your voice heard this International Women’s Day! Donate to Aidha to help migrant domestic workers gain a financial education.