Hope it was as easy to accept as it is as to write.
In today’s fast paced life, for women who work for a better standard of living, ‘domestic help’ has become an integral part of their household. More than anything, it is convenience for them so that they can unhesitatingly focus on one stream of life. Despite this acceptance I have noticed that, it’s quite hard for some cultures and elderly (read our parents generation) to accept these ‘helps’ as part of the family.
It’s expected from them to put in long hours of service, always put in their best effort, never fall sick, or never have a bad day at work. It’s here you will see our elderly mine ‘value for money’ at its best.
I am patiently trying to make these elders understand that that if we expect so much out of them it is only human to be polite and appreciate their efforts. For girls who are forced by their families to start working at a small age we can try and provide them education, for women who do these jobs due to lack of education, we can help them open their bank accounts and make them understand the importance of savings. We can guide and advice them on issues related to children, marriage, safe sex, breast cancer, savings, mortgagees etc. I have helped my domestic help to take an annual personal insurance so that when required she can cautiously get treated in good hospital and not be worried of at least some portion of her medical expense. She has started her bank account and she saves some part of her salary on a monthly basis. I want her to start going to some tuitions where she can have some more education.
I hope I have changed someone’s life by bringing in awareness and understanding of hope to be somewhat foresighted of the future. Simultaneously I am trying hard to change the mindset my elderly who can and should reach out help to improve the standard of living of the not so privileged community.
This article is written by my dear friend Ms. Poonam Dave. Poonam holds a Sr. Management post in a MNC. This article has got its source from the real life experience of Poonam and her friends.
This post was written for The Time to Change Indiblogger contest.
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