‘Tell your own stories’: photos by domestic helpers in Hong Kong and their children sought for exhibition that pays homage to their sacrifice

Pathfinders’ #WorkingMomsHK aims to raise awareness of the sacrifices made by Hong Kong’s domestic helpers, who are so often separated from their children

An upcoming photographic exhibition will feature 49 images taken by domestic helpers, and organisers are asking them to submit photos for the show

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Hong Kong domestic helpers’ images of sacrifice and separation will feature in an exhibition. Award-winning photographer and former helper Xyza Cruz Bacani (above) will be selecting the photos. Photo: Polaris Norton Sagabaen and Novice

Kylie Knott

Published: 5:15pm, 11 Aug 2022

Domestic helpers have long played a vital but often undervalued role in Hong Kong society, from cleaning homes to caring for the young and the elderly.

More than 340,000 foreign domestic helpers, mostly from Indonesia and the Philippines, work in the city, a number set to increase to 600,000 by 2047 as more help is needed to care for a rapidly ageing population, according to PathFinders, a Hong Kong charity supporting migrant workers.

To raise awareness about their plight, PathFinders has launched a campaign, #WorkingMomsHK, and later this year will host “49”, a photo exhibition paying homage to the sacrifices made by helpers and their children.

The number 49 represents both the number of years since Hong Kong introduced legislation for the employment of domestic helpers and the number of photos in the show.

This arresting black-and -white photo by Xyza Cruz Bacani is the promotional image for the 49 exhibition. Photo: Xyza Cruz Bacani

Helpers and their children are encouraged to take part in the exhibition by sending their images via WhatsApp (+852 5621 8239). The deadline for entries is August 31.