Nina in the Philippines

“I am originally from the Ilocos mountains in the north of the Philippines. When I was 16, I dropped out of school to become a domestic worker because my family was poor. A recruiter sent me to work for a wealthy family in Manila.

"I used to wake up around 4.30am to prepare breakfast for the children. Each day I cooked all the meals, cleaned the house, scrubbed the floor, washed and ironed the family's clothes, and washed the pet dog.  

"I never had a day off. I just did whatever they asked me to.

"After my employers left to go to the United States, my employer’s daughter and her friends continually beat me and taunted me. When I tried to run away the police brought me back to the house. I was locked up, beaten, and barely fed.

"The second time I ran away I found Visayan Forum, a local organisation which offers support to child domestics. With their help I managed to start studying again, see my family and file a case against the daughter of my employer and her friends.”

Nina recently graduated from high school with honours and plans to go to college. She is an active member of SUMAPI, the association of domestic workers set up by Visayan Forum.

"I can now help my fellow domestic workers who may have experienced the same thing and also educate others on what they shouldn't do to their domestic workers.”