Foreign Domestic Helpers (FDHs) play a crucial role in many households in countries across the globe. These workers are often employed as live-in helpers, tasked with various household chores such as cooking, cleaning, and taking care of children or elderly family members. However, the role of an FDH extends beyond just performing household tasks. Understanding the multi-faceted roles of FDHs is essential to appreciate the tremendous contributions they make to their host families. In this blog post, we will explore the different roles of Foreign domestic helpers (外籍家庭傭工)beyond their household duties.
Companion
Apart from their daily tasks, FDHs act as a companion to the elderly, children, and sometimes even the parents of the host families. These helpers often share an intense bond with the family and serve a critical role in providing emotional support. FDHs frequently engage in conversations with their host families, providing a listening ear and offering a shoulder to cry on. Additionally, for children who may have working parents, their FDH might be the most significant person they interact with daily. They play with them, help them with their homework, and often serve as their confidants.
Cultural Intermediary
FDHs come from various parts of the world, and their cultures may significantly differ from those of their host families. With their diverse backgrounds and experiences, FDHs serve as cultural intermediaries, helping to bridge the gap between host families and their cultures. This role extends from introducing their host families to their native cuisine and customs, art, and music, to language. FDHs typically help their host families learn the language of their motherland, and this fosters a sense of understanding and mutual respect between the two cultures.
Caregiver
FDHs are also caregivers, providing emotional and physical support for the elderly family members, children and pets. They help manage the medications and treatments of the family members, and pay careful attention to their needs. In many instances, the elderly or infants under their care require frequent monitoring through the night or during the day. FDHs are always on standby ensuring that their wards are comfortable and happy.
Educational Support
FDHs may also provide educational support to children under their care. They help children achieve their educational goals by helping with their homework, teaching them new skills and even reviewing academic materials with them. Their educational support continues beyond academics to include general life skills such as proper hygiene practices, cooking basics, and safety tips.
Financial Management
FDHs often play a critical role in managing the financial aspects of their hosts’ homes. They help to pay bills, manage budgets, and plan for expenditures. Given their financial experience or training, they may help to make investments, access credit facilities and even file tax returns, optimizing the financial decisions of their host families.
Conclusion:
The role of FDHs is beyond merely performing household chores. They are caregivers, companions, cultural intermediaries, educators, and financial planners for their host families. Understanding these multi-faceted roles of FDHs will increase appreciation for the critical contributions that they make. When given the support and care they deserve, FDHs can transform the homes and lives of the families they serve, and provide value beyond monetary compensation. Therefore, let us acknowledge and express gratitude for the tremendous contributions that FDHs make in our communities.
