🌻 Happy Mother's Day! 🌻

At PathFinders, we are using today to recognise and appreciate our Migrant Domestic Workers (MDWs), many of whom are mothers too!
 
We can't thank them enough for all the sacrifices they make, not only for their own families and children, but for the invaluable support they provide to tens of thousands of households in Hong Kong - including thousands of working mothers, who rely heavily on an MDW to help care for their children to be able to work themselves and juggle the daily demands and responsibilities of a family while pursing a career. 

This Mother's Day we are also delighted to announce that we are collaborating with award-winning photographer, Xyza Cruz Bacani, as part of our ongoing #WorkingMomsHK campaign. Xyza is a second-generation MDW and celebrated photographer, currently based in New York on the final leg of her master's degree.

For our latest campaign, Xyza has selected an image of her mother saying goodbye to her family in the Philippines. In this powerful and moving image, Xyza's mother hugs her teary-eyed sister, with her father and niece looking on.

Read our Q&A with Xyza here, where she shares her special connection with our campaign, as well as her one hope and wish for every child whose mother is working abroad.

Hong Kong currently employs 340,000 MDWs, with the number forecast to rise to over 600,000 by 2047 to help care for our rapidly ageing population.

More than 80% of MDWs are women of childbearing age. This means the number of children left-behind in home countries will inevitably continue to escalate over the coming years, leaving many in extremely vulnerable situations and at risk of experiencing violence, exploitation and abuse. as recently highlighted in THE SUN HK by Ms Remilene Marcelino, the newly posted social welfare attache at the Philippines Consulate General in Hong Kong - unfortunately the greatest risk can come from the very caregivers their mothers have entrusted their children to.

Published today in Hong Kong Free Press and yesterday in HK01, we encourage those who employ a MDW to take a moment to show their care, appreciation and support. This could be as simple as asking how their MDW is or finding out more about her family, especially if she is a working mom, providing her with support and encouragement to take short breaks throughout the day to connect with her children.

This Mother's Day, if you are able, please consider making a donation to help us maintain our critical services to care for the moms who care for us. No donation is too small to make a BIG difference and we simply can't do what we do without your support!

Wishing you, and particularly all the mothers in your life, a super special day.

With much gratitude,
The PathFinders Team

Throughout the month of May, Wine Please! will make a 10% donation to PathFinders for every bottle/set purchased in a special collection in support of our critical services. Don't delay, snag a few bottles today!!