On a cloudy Sunday afternoon, 15 women take turns sharing not only poetry but also laughter and tears.
While of different ages and backgrounds, all of the participants know the hardships of being a domestic helper in Hong Kong.
The poetry workshop held last month was part of a six-part series called “The Writer’s Toolbox 3.0”, an initiative from Migrant Writers of Hong Kong.
Instructors led workshops on topics such as writing through annotating, writing with images and gifting poetry to loved ones.
The non-profit organisation, established in 2021, helps migrant workers express their creativity and explore mental health issues. It has about 100 members.
Project helps Hong Kong’s migrant workers tell their stories
“Migrant domestic workers are faced with everyday challenges in 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, the group’s co-founder and president.
“And for those who have undergone some anxiety, some depression, it could be a way of healing.”
Rocio, herself a domestic worker who has lived in the city for nearly seven years, said many of the women found it hard to tell their employers if they were struggling. Some also did not have time to take a break during work to deal with their emotions.
“We’ve created this space [where] you can cry here .... and we are not here to judge you, but we are here with you to share this moment. We are here to support you.”
Yvonne Yu, an adviser to the group, said the workshop organisers felt the power of each woman’s story “in surprising ways”.
She was particularly moved by the diversity of approaches to describing “self”, which included making face masks, writing letters to loved ones and looking at identity within families.
Being vulnerable
One new member said she found the activities helped her to open up.
“I poured all my emotions into one [poem] just to express my gratitude to a certain person,” said Gin*, who moved to the city from the Philippines in 2019.
“This workshop really touches the emotional, vulnerable self in me ... I can be so vulnerable and just let the vulnerability empower others.”
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.”
She takes part in activities that interest her, such as a swimming club, a financial literacy group and a volunteer mental health helpline.
The groups also helped her to meet new people and widen her perspective.
Her feelings were shared by Indonesian domestic helper Ikda, who gave only her first name. She said the workshops were a chance to look after herself and her emotions.
“I always control myself. I’m not too emotional,” she said. “So when I come here ... I realise that everyone has their story ... Everyone has deepness inside their heart.”
Empowering their community
Lasting friendships are also formed. The women said they were grateful to have a chance to bond as the same group attended workshops each week.
Migrant Writers of Hong Kong adviser Julie Ham said she was surprised at how quickly the group formed close ties.
“It’s so striking how quickly they [become] supportive of each other,” she said.
Ham and Rocio said members faced obstacles to publish their work despite many being seasoned writers, as visa conditions made it difficult for them to receive payment for their creative work.
The group in March published an anthology titled “Ingat”, meaning “take care” in Tagalog and “remember” in Indonesian.
The women said they saw the value in sharing their work despite the financial hurdles.
“[It’s] very crucial for the migrant domestic workers to know that they have something that they can turn to, that they can lean on, and that they are not alone in this journey,” Rocio said.
*Name changed at interviewee’s request.
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