CHARITY

Far from home

Stephanie Zhu meets some of Hong Kong’s most vulnerable mothers at PathFinders

PathFinders helps vulnerable mothers in Hong Kong

For most women, pregnancy and motherhood is a time of great joy and excitement, however for migrant domestic workers who fall pregnant in Hong Kong it can be a very challenging time. Charity organisation PathFinders works to support these women at their most vulnerable time to ensure that their children are protected. Last month, I was invited to visit the shelter and meet some of the women staying there.

Friendly faces

Friendly faces and baby gurgles greeted me as I entered the small apartment where five mothers and their newborn babies currently live. It’s welllit and spotlessly clean. These women are being looked after by PathFinders.

Case worker Hina has invited me to join the women’s weekly catch up meeting. They discuss items such as nutrition for mum and baby and Hina ensures the women have access to the necessities required for a newborn.

Living in limbo

The mothers were shy but clearly excited to have a visitor. As they slowly opened up to me, most revealed that they were currently overstaying in Hong Kong while waiting for papers to be approved so they could travel home. Some have been waiting for over six months and all are keen to be reunited with their families. Covid-19 had played a part in delaying processes for these women and so for now, they remain in limbo.

Awaiting heart surgery

Marlene* gently rocks her baby boy, his mass of hair sticking out in all directions like a little doll. “I was very worried when I found out that my unborn son had Down Syndrome. From that moment, his father wouldn’t acknowledge him and I dealt with many complications before and after the birth. My little boy has already had one heart surgery and he may need another. I was so grateful to have been referred to PathFinders by a friend as I was previously staying in a boarding house where the conditions weren’t ideal for a pregnant woman,” she recalls.

Dreaming of home

I ask about her plans for the future. “I would love more than anything to go home, but it’s challenging. I have an older son back in the Philippines and I really hope to provide him with a good education. If I go back, there will be hefty medical bills for Baby J. The children’s hospital here also has better doctors and facilities compared to my hometown. My hope is that I will be able to continue working in Hong Kong, whilst also looking after Baby J. That way, I’d be able to support both of my sons,” says says.

A safe place to stay

Across the room, Sunny* cheerfully bounces her baby girl on her lap. She’s been waiting to go home for over six months. “My friend sent me the details for PathFinders when I was pregnant. I was so happy and relieved to find a safe place for me and my baby to stay as we had nowhere else to go. We’ve been here for a few months and during that time I’ve seen three ladies in a similar situation to my own travel home safely, so I am very hopeful about my case too,” she smiles.

The mothers giggle as they share a joke amongst themselves. Despite uncertain futures, they are full of resilience and hope. They help each other with advice and comfort and look after one another. In a weekly roster they created between themselves, each of the women is

assigned duties. Those with good culinary skills take charge of grocery shopping and cooking, others clean or do laundry, and they each take it in turns to look after the babies while others do their chores.

PathFinders offers hope

This Mother’s Day, I’m mindful not to forget these women who have left their home and ventured into a new country with hopes for a brighter future for their families. Since 2008, PathFinders has helped over 7,800 babies, children and women who were not fully supported by Hong Kong’s public services, with advice and counselling, access to healthcare, emergency shelter, essential supplies and legal support.

On International Women’s Day this year, the charity launched a year-long campaign called #WorkingMomsHK with the aim of supporting working mothers and highlighting the issues faced by migrant domestic workers who become mothers in Hong Kong. To get involved visit

pathfinders.org.hk

*Names have been changed for privacy reasons.

Support PathFinders year-long #WorkingMomsHK campaign