Leaving home to care for the homes of others: The journeys behind Singapore's migrant domestic workers

For many migrant domestic workers, the decision to leave home is made long before they arrive in Singapore. It begins with a promise to provide for a family, support ageing parents or give their children opportunities they never had themselves.

Over the years, these women have become caregivers, helpers and trusted companions in countless households, often while carrying the weight of being separated from their own loved ones. Their contributions have quietly enabled many families in Singapore to care for young children, seniors and persons with caregiving needs.

Their stories were among those recognised as the Centre for Domestic Employees (CDE) marked its 10^th anniversary on 21 June 2026 at Resorts World Sentosa. The event brought together migrant domestic workers, employers and partners to celebrate a decade of supporting Singapore's domestic worker community and empowering workers through training in areas such as dementia care, eldercare and infant care.

We spotlight some of the women behind the workforce; their lives before Singapore, the sacrifices they have made, and the hopes that continue to drive them forward.

Jacqueline.

Eleven years ago, Jacqueline made the difficult decision to leave her job as a factory worker in the Philippines and seek opportunities in Singapore.

The move meant spending long periods away from her family and missing milestones in her children's lives, but she remained focused on a single goal: giving them a better future.

Today, the 41-year-old continues to draw strength from her role as a mother. “I have three kids; this is all for them,” she shared.

Jenita.

At 24, Jenita made the difficult decision to leave her home in India and seek work in Singapore. It was not a choice she made lightly, but one driven by a desire to support her family through a challenging period in their lives.

Seven years on, the 31-year-old has built a life far from home, spending much of her adulthood caring for other families while remaining committed to her own from afar.

Sriti.

Eight years ago, Sriti, 35, left India with a purpose that went beyond earning a living.

She ran her own business for seven years, and she came to Singapore to learn from a different environment, gain new perspectives, and broaden her horizons.

A volunteer with CDE for the last three years, she shared that this event would be her last CDE event as she plans to reunite with her husband back home in India later this year in August.

Ratma (left) and Teti (right).

Ratma and Teti, both 31 and from Indonesia, got to know each other after they came to Singapore.

While their backgrounds may be different, they both came here with the same purpose: to give a better life to their children back home.

Ratma was a full-time mother, with a daughter turning 9 later this year, and Teti was a food business owner with a daughter who is now 7.

Poieesan.

Poieesan, a 25-year-old from Myanmar, has been living in Singapore for the past two years.

A former nurse in a hospital back home, she left due to low wages and limited opportunities amid difficult economic conditions.

She said her decision to move was driven by a desire to “improve my future.”

In Singapore, she hopes to strengthen her English and Chinese language skills as part of her personal and professional development, and perhaps to eventually join the healthcare sector here.

Josephine.

For Josephine, 53, the decision to leave the Philippines was born out of a mother's determination to provide for her family.

A former government employee and a mother of five, she chose to work overseas in search of better opportunities for her children.

Her journey first took her to Japan where she worked as a performer and entertainer before eventually coming to Singapore 17 years ago.

While the move meant years spent away from home, Josephine never lost sight of why she left.

“Every opportunity that I have taken overseas, has been for the future of my kids,” she said.

Want to make a difference to the lives of domestic workers in need? Make a small but meaningful contribution donation to the Domestic Employees Welfare Fund today!