Daisy and Vange

These are the girls whose service allows me to take on a job that brings food on our table, roof over our heads, and just about everything we need to live a relatively comfortable life.

I try to return the favor by consciously making the effort to make their lives slightly better than if they were working somewhere else, say in a factory. For example, they're allowed to watch TV and sleep the whole afternoon on weekdays(ok, this isn't really brag-worthy but it's a luxury i don't have. so.)

I am of course aware that their situation now is farthest from ideal as they're supposed to be in school earning a degree and should still be provided for by their parents instead of the other way around. But I am also aware that their situation can become a lot bearable and less gloomy if I consciously make it so.

I try my best so they don't lose their fragile sense of dignity and capacity to dream. Every chance I get, I share with them stories of hope and redemption to inspire them to build their own similar story.

I encourage them to save as much as they can this early so they can go back to school in 3 years' time, while they're still in their early 20s.

Perhaps they can take up education and become public school teachers in the province. That's probably better than taking some fancy business or computer courses in some less competitive colleges in the province, because a degree which doesn't lead to a professional license would only slightly improve their choices in the job market.

i know some 'banking and finance' graduates in my province who had to settle for a contractual store clerk position in department stores in the city where there's much higher cost of living.*

Yet, yet, there's a part of me that secretly hopes they just marry off a nice foreigner, a young one preferably. I know. It goes against the ideals i aspire for, about preserving decency and self-respect at all cost.

But, honestly, i have little faith in these girls' potential and determination to succeed. As I've seen with the other girls who came before them, they'll probably just get duped by some guy they meet through Globe, Sun and Smart, who soon leaves them broken and with a baby they can't care for. Those girls never bounced back.

So what is the employer left to do?

well, i don't think there's a way to guarantee their future, or anyone else's for that matter. i guess i just have to do what a conscious, benevolent and responsible employer will do, what my own employer does. give them more than what's fair and due, and inspire them to dream.

*This and the preceding para had been rephrased. The original version didn't quite sound right.