A Mother’s Heart A Mother’s Heart, By Tess Belgado
"This was taken 12 years ago during my first vacation in the Philippines. Behind my smile was pain. I pushed myself to hide the pain. I packed their hugs and kisses and took them with me, as they said, 'Mama, you’re leaving us again…' Even though it has been difficult, I have managed to become a mother and a father for their future.
A photo exhibit that can be viewed online
has been mounted by PathFinders, a non-government organization that offers help
to foreign workers in need, to explore how a mother working overseas expresses
her love for the children they left behind.
“The exhibition aims to bring to the
public eye the unparalleled strength, resilience and determination of MDW (migrant
domestic workers) mothers who live thousands of miles away from their children,”
Pathfinders said.
The photo exhibit, entitled "No
Child Left Behind: A Mother's Love Knows No Borders", features 50
photographs contributed by mothers who had to leave their children to work abroad,
as well as a former domestic helper who is now an award-winning photographer, Xyza
Cruz Bacani.
Bacani selected 49 of the photographs
from among the entries in PathFinders’ recent "49" image competition,
and Bacani added one of her own.
The exhibit can be viewed here: https://bit.ly/3WTM64m.It
runs until Dec. 31.
"Many of Hong Kong's 340,000
MDWs are mothers from the Philippines and Indonesia who made the very difficult
decision to leave children behind in order to work overseas and create brighter
futures for them – as well as the children they care for in Hong Kong.
Unfortunately, despite their sacrifices, the precious contribution of MDWs has
long been undervalued in our society,” said Catherine Gurtin, CEO of
PathFinders. “Through our ongoing #WorkingMomsHK campaign, we pay tribute to
MDWs as mothers, while also seeking to increase the community's understanding,
care and appreciation for them.”
“There’s so much we can all do to
show our care and support for MDWs. If you employ an MDW who has children, please
encourage her to have regular, heart-to-heart connections with her children.
Support their connection by providing your employee with short breaks to
interact with her children. This small gesture will truly make a meaningful
difference!" she said.
Bacani added: “All the images we
collected are simply striking, each revealing a unique, heart-wrenching
separation story of migrant mothers and their children. Behind each smile lies
a story of struggle and heartbreak. As a left-behind child myself, I can still
feel the unceasing pain and trauma when looking at these images and remembering
how I felt growing up without my mother by my side."
"Hong Kong has a special place
in my heart. My mother works there. I worked there. It is my home. Being able
to share my own experience to inspire the MDW community in the city means so
much to me. For all MDW mothers, connect regularly and meaningfully with your
children. They need your love as much as you need theirs,"she said.
Alongside their exhibition,
PathFinders’ 14th Anniversary and Children’s Day fundraising appeal No Child
Left Behind seeks to raise funds to protect children born to migrant mothers in
Hong Kong.
Donations will plug urgent funding
gaps for critical services and programmes, to ensure no child is born without
an identity, deprived of shelter, education or unable to access healthcare.
Thanks to a group of private donors,
the first HK$269,000 of donations will be matched! Support PathFinders’ No
Child Left Behind campaign at www.give.asia/nochildleftbehind.
Since 2008, PathFinders has helped
over 9,800 migrant mothers and children. Every year 500 children and their
migrant mothers seek their specialist care and protection.
“The last few years have been
difficult for so many in Hong Kong, but especially for MDWs who have faced
their own unique challenges and been excluded from pandemic relief measures.
For the PathFinders team it's been even harder than usual to help expectant and
migrant mothers navigate their crisis and ensure no child is left behind,” the
NGO said.
Here is a sampling of the entries:
Waiting for Ibu (Mom) to Come Home
By Alinggar Alfat Akbar (10 years
old)
24 July 2015 was the last day I
celebrated my birthday with my Ibu (mom) before she went to Hong Kong to work. I
have been without my mother for 7 years. I know Ibu wants to be beside me and
wish me a happy birthday. Hopefully next year Alinggar can eat birthday cake
again with you, Ibu. Alinggar loves you, Ibu.
Bridging Hearts
By Evelyn Genisan
These are my treasures! An old school
way of expression, and a great amount of effort to show love and gratitude.
They are the best gifts I receive from my kids on special occasions. Whenever I
depart from home, they also insert a note or an envelope in my bag. I usually
find it at the airport or days after my arrival. It always brings tears to my
eyes and fills my heart with love.
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