After struggling to find a stable job in her hometown in the Philippines, Gleia Mae Duenas and her husband had to turn their house into a storage facility. When her four-year-old daughter innocently asked her why they had to live in a storage house, Gleia knew she had to do something to secure a better life for their futures.
After months of preparation, Aidha’s signature event, the third annual Unspoken life photography exhibition was open during the weekend of 24th and 25th November 2018 at the Intersections Gallery.
With the year coming to a close, Aidha was proud to celebrate the graduation of the latest cohort of 110 students. The auditorium buzzed with excitement as the graduates entered, and they were welcomed with rapturous applause from their friends and employers!
On October 7th 2018, 12 out of 110 graduating students were selected as finalists for the Personal Financial Plan and Business Plan competitions after a lengthy judging process. After weeks of preparation and many hours spent with their mentors, the students were both nervous and excited to give their presentations.
Ritchelle Mantiquilla is from the Phillippines and is a widow with 2 sons. Much against the will of her father, she moved to Singapore 10 years ago, in search of work and a better future for her sons. She earnestly explains that a helper’s job is no different from a mother’s and vehemently disapproves of the stigma associated with this selfless profession. Little did she know that fateful day, the magnitude and extent to which her life would change, forever.
Before she enrolled at Aidha, life for Sri Yanah was like many of our students. She worked in Singapore for years before she heard of Aidha and was struggling with a lack of confidence and found it hard to socialise with others. And like many FDWs similar to her situation, saving was not a priority. After sending money home to Semarang in Central Java (Indonesia) each month, she would give herself a small allowance for spending “I didn’t think about saving money for my future,” she said.
Written by: Sarah Datta
From an English student to business manager and now working towards becoming a professional photographer, Yanthi took most decisions in life with a goal to learn as much as possible.
Written by: Vittoria O.
When Marilyn Orit left home in 2007, she was well prepared for a long road ahead. Even so, she could have never predicted she would come this far. From Maasin City, Philippines, she traveled all the way to Hong Kong where she started working with the Orchard family. Two years ago, she followed them to Singapore and has been living with them ever since. Adjusting to a new environment becomes a lot easier when your employers are like family to you.
Written by: Vitttoria O.
Watching her three beloved children grow older, Joy developed one deep, burning desire: giving them the best possible opportunities in life. She was already coping with several different jobs, but deep down she knew: education is the key. Almost secretly, she decided to leave her hometown Iloilo and set off to Singapore.
Written by: Vittoria O.
Khan Mai, born and raised in Myanmar, attended university via distant learning and worked as a kindergarten and primary school teacher. But with eight siblings, her family struggled to make ends meet. So she packed her bags and set off to Singapore to provide for her family.
Written by: Vittoria O.
