How can I help my domestic helper overcome homesickness?

Adjusting to a new place is never easy, and domestic helpers are no exception. For most domestic helpers, moving to Hong Kong means more than just starting a new job, but also adapting to an entirely different lifestyle, culture, and language, all while being away from their loved ones.

Domestic helper homesickness is an emotional challenge that many experience, yet often goes overlooked. For domestic helpers who are new to Hong Kong, homesickness can feel particularly overwhelming due to concerns such as:

• Uncertainty and unfamiliarity with a new job, culture and lifestyle.
• Leaving behind loved ones for an extended period of time to work overseas.
• Lack of social support in the new environment.

Domestic helper homesickness is natural during transition. But as an employer, your understanding and support can make a substantial difference during the helper’s adjustment. By coping with domestic helper homesickness effectively, you can strengthen their emotional well-being, improve their focus at work, and promote stable and long-term employment. Here are some ways to guide helpers to overcome homesickness.

Tips to overcome domestic helper homesickness 

Encourage helpers to connect with their communities

The most fundamental way to cope with domestic helper homesickness is by building a support network in the new environment. Encouraging helpers to join their community or religious groups in Hong Kong can help them feel more grounded and connected. Examples include:

• Community groups:
  • PANGYAO.hk: Pangyao is a social platform for Hong Kong’s domestic and migrant workers and ethnic minorities.
  • Caritas-Asian Migrant Workers Social Service Project: A non-government subsidised project serving migrant workers from the Southeast Asian countries.
• Religious groups:
  • St. Joseph’s Church: A Catholic church that offers Sunday services in Tagalog.
  • Kowloon Mosque and Islamic Centre: A mosque that is widely recognised by Muslim Indonesians.

Encourage helpers to explore Hong Kong

Exploring Hong Kong’s free and affordable sites allow helpers to integrate into the new culture, which is an essential step to ease domestic helper homesickness. You may consider inviting them to join your family on outings, or suggesting places to visit during their free time. Here are some ideas:

• Visiting the Ladies’ Market or the Goldfish Market in Mong Kok.
• Enjoying skyline views from the Avenue of Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui, or The Peak in Central.
• Relaxing by the water at Repulse Bay or Shek O Beach.
• Taking a scenic hike at Dragon’s Back for beginners, or Lion Rock for advanced hikers.
• Exploring outlying Islands like Cheung Chau or Lamma Island.

Support their personal and professional growth

Another way to alleviate domestic helper homesickness is to encourage the helper to create their own routines. This can help them feel more settled in the new environment.

Learning new skills can also enhance helpers’ personal and professional growth, boosting their confidence in adapting to a new role. Here are some workshops that may help:

• Enrich: A Hong Kong-based charity that offers a wide range of financial literacy programs for migrant workers. See their upcoming programmes here.
  • Tel: +852 2386 5811
  • Email: info@enrichhk.org 
  • Facebook: Enrich HK
• Mission For Migrant Workers: A Hong Kong-based charity that provides training and education for migrant workers, examples include:
  • Know Your Rights & Responsibility Training
  • Work and life skills training
  • Gender-based program
• Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden offers free Sunday programmes for domestic helpers to connect with nature.

Promote self-care of the helpers

Besides relieving domestic helper homesickness, it is equally important to acknowledge and process these feelings with patience. Taking the time to understand and work through the struggles of domestic helper homesickness can pave a smoother path toward adjustment. Here are some tips:

• Journaling: Suggest the helpers to take time to reflect and process your feelings on paper.
• Positive mindset: Guide the helpers to reframe their thoughts by focusing on opportunities rather than loss. For instance, encourage them to view working overseas as a chance to explore a new city and support their family.
• Mindfulness exercises:
  • Introduce the helper to a quick breathing exercise in this Facebook post.
  • For more relaxation techniques, see this Facebook post.

Create a harmonious and supportive environment

Domestic helper homesickness can be intense, especially if they don’t feel comfortable in your home. Employers play a key role in fostering respectful and harmonious atmosphere where helpers can feel more at ease. For more information, discover 10 ways to manage domestic worker cultural differences.

Resources for support

• A variety of organisations in Hong Kong offer free and affordable counseling services to support domestic helper homesickness. See Counseling Services for Domestic Helpers.
• The “How are you” page from Médicins Sans Frontières provides a comprehensive guide to managing different emotions effectively, providing valuable support to navigate domestic helper homesickness effectively.
• PathFinders is a Hong Kong-based NGO that offers programmes tailored for pregnant migrant women, migrant mothers, and their children. Their Crisis Interventions also provide support for coping with domestic helper homesickness.
  • Tel: +852 5190 4886 
  • Email: info@pathfinders.org.hk
  • Facebook: PathFinders for Migrant Workers