On Children’s Day, 4th April, we were heartbroken to read in the media about the death of a baby girl born to a foreign domestic worker (FDW) in HK. The newborn was found lifeless next to her mother who had slipped into a coma on delivering the baby at her employer’s home. Like so many other cases we are aware of that could have been prevented, this loss is so tragic and unnecessary.
Our thoughts and deepest condolences go to the mother, now in hospital seeking treatment. Please know our door and arms are always open to provide you, and any other migrant mother in need of help, our support.
PathFinders was founded 11 years ago when our founders discovered two babies living in desperate conditions at Chungking Mansions with their migrant mothers, who could only afford to feed them with left-over rice water. Ever since, our mission has been to ensure all children and their migrant mothers are protected and respected.
In response to this tragic and preventable loss, we’d like to encourage the community to please take care of each other. It takes a lot of bravery for a FDW to tell her employer she is pregnant. As a result, she may hide her pregnancy for fear of losing her job and income to send home, a place to stay and access to public services. Together with kindness and understanding we can absolutely stop a crisis like this from unfolding.
At PathFinders we are working hard at trying to prevent the root causes of crisis by empowering FDWs with awareness and knowledge, as well as providing employers with sufficient and accurate information to guide them on how to support their pregnant FDW, while also ensuring the best outcomes for their own family.
If like us, you’d like to act and prevent future tragedies, please visit our website to find out how you can support: [LINK TO DONATION PAGE]
If you’re a foreign domestic worker who is pregnant or has given birth and needs help, please call our hotline at 5190 4886.
If you’re an employer whose foreign domestic worker has become pregnant, please refer to the list of resources and suggestions in the “Become Informed” section of our website.
If you’d like to volunteer, please email volunteers@pathfinders.org.hk