Over 120,000 Filipinos work in Hong Kong.  Before the British left in 1997 there were many European officials who needed nannies and household help and were willing to pay good wages and give good conditions.  That has changed now that Hong Kong has reverted to China.  Life has become harder but that message has not got back to the Philippines.  Sr.  Leticia Bartolome, ICM who has worked there for years sends a letter to a friend and tries to change her mind about coming to Hong Kong.

We would like to thank Sr. Leticia for accommodating our request to print her name despite her original request to withhold it.  We salute her for this brave article.

Dear Eva,

Peace to you and all your loved ones!  Thank you for writing and for the trust that you gave me in sharing your hopes and aspirations for the future.  But I am really very sorry to disappoint you, in the same way that I have disappointed so many others who have written me for help to find jobs for them here in Hong Kong.

I have been in Hong Kong for the past 28 years and I know the truth regarding the life of the domestic helpers here.  They will never tell everything to their loved ones in the Philippines and so those who believe them think that Hong Kong is a “paradise” in many ways.

I personally know many young women who thought that their financial problems at home could be solved by coming over here, only to discover that this problem multiplies into different problems once they are here.  And these problems are often so difficult to solve.

The rate of unemployment here continues to rise and the domestic helpers are no longer wanted as before.  The women who used to work in the factories here are now working as part-time domestic helpers.  There are also women from Mainland China who are also searching for their own future here.  So you see, there is a lot of competition now.  And do not think of having Western employers here because many of them have also gone home to their own countries.  So please be contented with the little that we have in our country and be grateful to God that we have so many values which can never be exchanged with the dollar.  Do not look for greener pastures here, but try to look for the opportunities over there.

I see that your children are still young and that your husband has work.  Why don’t you give them your time, be with them and guide them, instead of doing this for other people’s children in a foreign land.  You will see the blessings of this decision in the future.

Thank you for enclosing some pictures in your letter.  Such beautiful smile that greeted me when I opened it.  Let that smile bring sunshine over there, among your family, friends and anyone who comes across your path.  I have nothing that I can still offer to help you, but be assured that you are included in my prayers. God bless.

Yours sincerely,

Sr. Leticia Bartolome, ICM