(Reprinted from "Migrant Focus" of the Mission for Migrant Workers)
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| Jonalyn shares her story of survival with fellow migrant workers |
Jonalyn is
one of the survivors of the tragic fire that occurred on November 26 in Tai Po.
She has worked in Hong Kong for more than 15 years, serving four different
households. Since 2015, she has cared for an elderly person at Wang Fuk Court
in Tai Po.
The
elderly woman is a 94-year-old with Parkinson’s disease. For more than ten
years, Jonalyn and Por por woke up early each day to walk together and exercise
in the park. In the early years of Por por’s illness, her symptoms were
severe—her hand trembled and she struggled to control her muscles. Over time
Por por’s movement improved as she gradually gained better control. Por por is
very emotional; sad news can bring tears easily, and she often cannot sleep
when she anticipates her daughter’s visit the next day. Jonalyn’s careful,
loving care grew from these moments, forming the foundation of their strong
bond.
Their life
was quiet and intimate—Jonalyn cooking Por por’s meals, keeping the house tidy,
Por por watching her favorite programs. They found a rhythm that felt like
family. Jonalyn often spoke of their relationship as “mother and daughter,”
forged through trust, love, and mutual care. Their days were not without
challenges, yet the small acts of care created a safe harbor for both of them.
Then the
fire struck. On that day, Jonalyn felt a subtle instinct urging her to stay
home. She knew Por por needed her more than ever. When the flames erupted, she
woke with fear and used every ounce of courage to shepherd Por por toward
safety. They moved through the smoke to the elevator, praying aloud for
strength, praying the ride down would be swift. From the 23rd floor, they
escaped to the ground floor and looked back at their home, already engulfed. In
that moment, Jonalyn was thankful that both of them survived. With a thread of
gratitude that bound them, Jonalyn understood survival is not only about
escaping danger, but about choosing to keep loving, even when everything else
is uncertain.
Yet
survival did not resolve what followed. Soon after, Por por’s daughter
terminated Jonalyn’s contract, a decision that felt like a second wound—swift,
unexplained, and devastating. She started to doubt, “had her care ever truly
mattered? Was her long service simply erased by one sudden moment?" The
blow was sharp, and the ache of separation from Por por was deeper still.
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| Jonalyn is helped on the path to recovery by MFMW and Bethune House |
In that
darkness, Jonalyn found a lifeline: the Mission For Migrant Workers. She
learned of Bethune House, a temporary shelter for women migrants, and there she
began to heal in earnest. The shelter became a classroom of collective
resilience, as she met and accomplished daily tasks with other migrants in
distress there. Journalists visited; she spoke at schools, sharing her story
not for pity, but to illuminate a path for others, with others. Each interview,
each conversation, helped rebuild a sense of purpose.
Counseling
offered through MFMW helped her unpack fear, guilt, and anger. She began to
understand her own worth, recognizing that ten years of dedicated care deserved
recognition, not erasure. In time, she reconnected with a community of fellow
migrants who shared strategies for healing, hope, and advocacy. For the first
time in years, Jonalyn allowed herself small joys—time with friends, new
hobbies, and the simple luxury of a day off to rest and reflect.
Jonalyn’s
healing also led to action. When the Tai Po survivors organized, she urged them
to step onto the stage with courage, leading to participate in a fashion show
as part of One Billion Rising, a powerful voice against violence toward women
and girls. She designed a costume, chose music, and learned the dance steps.
The experience wasn’t merely a performance; it was an embodiment of connection,
a proof that her voice, along with others, could shape change and inspire
others.
Her talks
with teens at St. Paul’s Church and HKBU, her willingness to share with new
audiences, affirmed a truth she had learned in the fire: healing accelerates
when we give back. Through conversation and outreach, Jonalyn found a renewed
sense of belonging in Hong Kong—a city that could be both a home and a horizon.
Today, she
speaks of gratitude, not resignation. “I learned I don’t need to hate to keep
moving,” she says. “I can be thankful for the years I cared for Por por, and I
can be courageous enough to claim my future.” She remains open to work, to
community, and to the possibility that the next chapter will honor her
strength, her care, and the courage it takes to heal and empower others.
To fellow
migrants who face hardships: don’t give up. Seek guidance, honor your needs,
and follow your heart to what’s right. HK remains a place of possibility—where
kindness endures, and where a survivor’s voice can light the way for others.
(To know more about the MFMW’s works and how to
donate to help them continue helping migrant workers, please click on this link: https://www.migrants.net/to-donate)
