| When she was 12, she was nearly raped by a 70-year-old man, the father
of her employer, who tried to win her with money and food. After leaving her former
employer, she moved to work in another household where she slept at the nipa shack
located outside the main house. In this household, she was fed with leftover foods;
her work entailed doing all the household chores by herself. She also went through
the ordeal of being hit, her hair pulled, and even slapped, not only by her employer
but by other members of the household. Her duties included carrying feeds uphill
where the pig sty was situated. One of her former employers paid her PhP1 (US$.02)
a day, and at times none. Because of her fervent desire to finish her education,
she attended night school. After doing back-breaking work during the day, she
walks to school daily, and returns home exhausted, facing still another load of
household chores that needs to be done. Once, she came home at 6:30 pm because
they had some practice in school. However, her employer was unmindful of her excuse.
Rosalinda was locked out of the house until dawn. Now that she is shielded
from relentless employers, she helps the Visayan Forum advocate for the rights
of CDWs. Back to Main |
