Seeking to help migrant workers stay mentally and emotionally healthy, the United Nations Student Association Humanitarian Wing (UNSA-HW) turned its efforts towards the migrant domestic workers in the community by engaging with various organisations and social enterprises for its local project.
UNSA-HW conducted its sessions in person to engage with migrant domestic helpers from varied backgrounds. 28 volunteers partnered with the Foreign Domestic Workers Association for Social Support and Training (FAST) across eight weekly sessions and were divided to lead four activities: mask making, scrapbooking, embroidery and batik-bag-making. In addition to these main activities, the volunteers facilitated impromptu karaoke and dance sessions to connect with the 320 migrant domestic helpers who joined in the sessions, which were conducted at FAST Headquarters.
In addition to these offline activities, UNSA-HW wanted to raise awareness on low-wage migrant workers in Singapore online. In Semester 1, the awareness campaigns on Instagram highlighted issues low-wage migrants face – such as xenophobia, employment practices and mental health struggles. This was the first time the club had done social media awareness that was tied to UNSA-HW’s local project. In Semester 2, UNSA-HW launched a documentary series on IGTV and YouTube, which delved deeper into the systemic issues low-wage migrants face, as well as how the previously mentioned workshops were carried out. All workshops were documented on UNSA-HW’s website.
The volunteers reflected that the sessions allowed them to connect with the migrant domestic workers on a personal level through the one-on-one interactions during the workshop. It also gave them an avenue to broaden their perspectives on the lives of these migrant domestic workers. By reaching out to the NTU student body and the general public through their online efforts, the club’s awareness campaign was able to inspire greater participation through community building and solidarity. Overall, the project was an invaluable opportunity for NTU UNSA students to recognise and appreciate these migrant domestic workers that have aided Singapore over the years.
It was an absolute joy to be able to both teach and learn from the migrant domestic workers from FAST. I will always remember the impromptu karaoke and dance sessions, the photo-taking fun with our handmade mask after each workshop and the newfound friendships I’ve made! Excited for the things ahead. Desyre Foo, Member (UNSA Humanitarian Wing)
About United Nations Students Association (Humanitarian Wing)
UNSA (Humanitarian)’s mission is to engage and serve communities from various walks of life, within the region. “MERAKI”, a word that modern Greeks often used to describe doing something with soul, creativity or love, fits perfectly into the direction and vision of its activities, and it incorporates this into both local and overseas projects through efforts from the heart.
