Migrant domestic workers in Hong Kong find support and comfort by writing poetry together
- Established in 2021, Migrant Writers of Hong Kong organises workshops for domestic helpers to discuss mental health through creativity
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Each workshop features different guest instructors. Photo: HandoutOn a Sunday afternoon, 15 domestic workers took turns sharing poetry, laughter and tears.
The poems described the theme of “self” and included home-made face masks, letters to loved ones, identity within a family, and more.
This poetry workshop was one of a six-part series called “The Writer’s Toolbox 3.0”. It is a programme from the group, Migrant Writers of Hong Kong.
The group was established in 2021. It is a place for migrant workers to discuss their mental health while being creative. They currently have about 100 members.
“The migrant domestic workers are faced with everyday challenges of their work and being away from their families, and so we wanted to introduce writing [as] a tool for just letting out their emotions,” said Maria Nemy Lou Rocio. She is the group’s co-founder and president.
“For those who have undergone some anxiety, some depression, it could be a way of healing.”
Rocio is a domestic helper who has lived in Hong Kong for nearly seven years. She said that many domestic workers cannot tell their employers if they are struggling. They cannot even pause their work if they are feeling emotional.
This is why these poetry workshops are so important.
“We’ve created this space [where] you can cry here ... We are here to support you,” Rocio explained.
Project helps Hong Kong’s migrant workers tell their stories
Open up about emotions
Gin* is a new member of Migrant Writers of Hong Kong. The domestic worker moved to Hong Kong from the Philippines in 2019. She said these workshops allowed her to be more open.
“I poured all my emotions into one [poem] just to express my gratitude to a certain person,” Gin said. “This workshop really touches the emotional, vulnerable self.”
Gin added, “Some participants share very bad experiences and ... it seems to lighten their mood. You can transcend a very hard decision to empower others.”
Empowering their community
Lasting friendships are also formed. All of the women attended workshops together each week. They were grateful to have a chance to bond.
Dr Julie Ham is an adviser for Migrant Writers of Hong Kong. She was surprised at how quickly the group became friends.
Ham and Rocio pointed out that it was challenging for migrant writers to publish their work. It is difficult for them to be paid for their writing because of the terms of their visas.
To share the women’s creativity, Migrant Writers of Hong Kong published an anthology in March. The anthology is called “Ingat”, a word that means “take care” in Tagalog and “remember” in Bahasa Indonesian.
When the women share their writing with their community, they feel comforted.
“[It’s] very crucial for the migrant domestic workers to know that they have something that they can turn to ... and that they are not alone in this journey,” Rocio explained.
*Name changed at interviewee’s request.
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