#WeAreMigrants Feature: Jo Ann A. Dumlao
- Team TAYO
- Dec 22, 2022
- 2 min read
Jo Ann A. Dumlao
Singapore
Migrant Domestic Worker 50 - 59 years old
1. How many years since you migrated, or since you became a migrant worker? What do you remember most about that first migration experience?
15 years to present --
I was in awe with the beauty of Singapore..homesickness come and go and reading, listening to music was my way out...
With the food, on my 2nd day here, I was given a pack of food for lunch and to my surprise it's sunny side up egg, with ikan bilis, a small cut of fish and 2 slices of cucumber with rice cooked in coconut milk. And I came to know, it's Nasi Lemak. I was like, "is this for lunch? This is for breakfast only at home." I didn't eat much.
2. The migrant workers in our TAYO community are people of strength and generosity. Tell us about a time this 2022 where you saw strength or generosity in yourself or in a fellow migrant worker.
Strength within myself when I got Covid for 10 days. It's terrible, it's draining that if you are weak physically and emotionally, it will really bring you down.
As a volunteer to an organization who look after the welfare of fellow migrants, I often encounter fellows who doesn't have proper meal in their work place and if I have extra in my pocket, I offer a meal.
3. Our TAYO community believes in the multiple talents and skills of our members. Tell us about talent or skill that you have, that you’d like others to know more about.
I am into writing of short stories- creative writing, fiction and now into poem also.
I dance folk dance way back home and the coming year, I am joining my friend group here and will be performing in a Cultural Show (showcase different countries).
4. For the family members and loved ones that are still in your home country, what is your message for them as we end 2022 and start the new year 2023?
The year 2022 has been hard, tough on us but thanks God, we all made it through. These problems have tested how strong is our family love. The support system of our family is a big factor, that keeps us going, that bind us as one.
2023 - we will lay our good cards on you. Let's keep the faith, family. Let's claim that this year is better, bigger and brighter. Thy will be done.
This feature is one of the entries to our #WeAreMigrants Contest - in celebration of International Migrants Day 2022.
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*Minor edits have been made to this text to improve readability. These edits have not altered the intended meaning or message of the original author.
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