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The Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong and the non-profit WIMLER Foundation Hong Kong Ltd organized on Sunday, 26 August 2018 a forum entitled Foreign Domestic Work: Understanding the Journey at the Consulate Conference Room.

Dr. Ju-chen Chen, a Taiwan-born anthropologist and senior lecturer at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, started the session by sharing information from the book, “Wishing Well: Voices from Foreign Domestic Workers in Hong Kong and Beyond”, a collection of stories written by Filipino household service workers (HSWs) she co-edited.

Dr. Chen asked the more than 60 participants why they left home to work overseas, encouraging the audience to speak out and share their own experiences. The attendees shared that being an HSW is not all about money, putting importance also on a pursuit of unique experiences and good memories to be shared with family and friends back home.

Dr. Chen outlined the varying stereotypes foreign domestic helpers (FDHs) – as HSWs are officially called – suffer in Hong Kong: being the filial daughter or generous mother who sacrifices herself for the family; there are others who represent curious and rebellious youth who take risks to leave home to see the world.

Dr. Chen ended the forum by saying that Hong Kong may be a land of fortune and opportunity, but for FDHs it is a mere wishing well where one throws a lucky coin and utters the dream of getting a good life. Though not all wishes may be granted, the experience will help them to redefine who they are.

Established in 2011, WIMLER Foundation Hong Kong Ltd. supports the capacity building and empowerment of all migrant communities and promotes cultural diversity in Hong Kong based on mutual respect, solidarity, and shared empowerment among peoples.

Philippine Deputy Consul General Roderico C. Atienza delivers the opening remarks to the participants of the forum entitled “Foreign Domestic Work: Understanding the Journey”, organized by the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong, in cooperation with a non-profit NGO WIMLER Foundation HK, at the Consulate Chancery on 26 August 2018.
Anthropologist and senior lecturer at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Dr. Ju-chen Chen discusses the scope of “Foreign Domestic Work: Understanding the Journey” before of an audience of more than 60 OFWs in Hong Kong spearheaded by the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong, in cooperation with a non-profit NGO WIMLER Foundation HK, at the Consulate Chancery on 26 August 2018.
Dr. Ju-chen Chen, Anthropologist and Senior Lecturer at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, listens to the story of a household service worker at a forum, entitled “Foreign Domestic Work: Understanding the Journey,” spearheaded by the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong, in cooperation with a non-profit NGO WIMLER Foundation HK, at the Consulate Chancery on 26 August 2018.
Deputy Consul General Roderico C. Atienza (2nd row, seated, 7th from left) and Dr. Ju-chen Chen, anthropologist and senior lecturer at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (2nd row, seated, 6th from right), pose with some of the participants at the conclusion of “Foreign Domestic Work: Understanding the Journey” forum on 26 August 2018 at the Philippine Consulate Chancery