Behind The Gate
Women who love their families too much
in desperation, do desperate things
They say goodbye, believe the LIE
of jobs that pay them more than ever earned
But some instead are spurned
Vulnerable
Victims of the whim of their employer
Voiceless when unpaid,locked up,
accused of crimes not done
although NO evidence exists
They take the blow of fists
and don't resist
in hopes their kids can still be fed
When hope is dead, they flee
where safety is a roof and rice
It's nice to be among familiar faces but
there are no social graces
when the shower is shared by 5
and 300 vie for space to lay their head
The days stack up like cards
but rare an ace
Most wait for justice who
hardly ever shows her face.
I wrote this poem as a compilation of experiences from some of the maids I know. One explained how they all kept clean at the shelter with only 2 showers and 250+ ladies. Another brave young woman wrote out her story in beautiful English so I could share her journey through her employment, false accusation of theft (her madame's dog ran away and she got blamed) a horrific 4 months time in jail, court dates, release & being sold to another employer, and her escape in the middle of the night. She was helped by a bread delivery truck driver who dropped her at the makeshift shelter at the Philippine labor office where I go. Some don't fare so well on their run for freedom. Others are "lucky." My taxi driver told me just this week of picking up a frightened young woman with a small bag of clothes at 5am as she was attempting to flee an abusive employer. She laid down in the back seat and begged him to drive away fast. He got her food, gave her cash and took her to safety.
We are currently in a period of amnesty, granted by the Amir on the occasion of Kuwait's 50/20 Celebrations. Until June 30, domestic workers who are here illegally can leave the country without penalty. This seems to be benefiting many people; the exception is those with a legal case against them, such as my friend. Her baby was 18 months when she left, she is now 3 and her mommy is at the whim of evil & greed as to when she might be released to come home.
At the Proud To Be Kuwaiti expo, I was invited to show/sell the Trash To Treasure rugs in the area that highlights environmental programs. I used the platform to not only discuss the recycling we do (more accurately "upcycling" or "re-use") but to spread awareness of the plight of many domestic workers in this country. I was encouraged by the amount of interest & support I got from the local population. The fully covered Bidoons only wanted to barter and get a cheaper price (charity meant nothing) but others were delighted to purchase, knowing who they were helping. Many couldn't believe they were really "hand made" in Kuwait and loved the quality. One Kuwaiti man baited me: "how many of those women do you think were really abused and how many just didn't want to work?" I told him that honestly, I was sure there were some of both. He told me "they all lie" and steal, and can't be trusted. I didn't ask him why such people are trusted to raise their babies? I did assure him broken bones don't lie. Do they not see the lies in paying people half of what they are promised when they agree to come here? He felt certain it was only among uneducated area where maids were being mistreated. I valued the opportunity to have a discussion like this. I hope the seeds planted will yield a harvest of justice in the months & years to come.
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