One village house in a rural area of Hong Kong’s New Territories is not only a place for a group of Filipino domestic workers to gather together, rest, sing and dance on Sundays but also a temporary shelter for those who have nowhere to go when their employment contracts get terminated.
This place is called the “Beautiful Ladies’ Club.”
On January 8, news website HK01.com published a feature story about Witni, a 50-year-old Filipino domestic worker who founded the club.
Witni has been working in Hong Kong for 26 years. Some 18 years ago, her employer rented a village house for her to enjoy on her rest days.
“I want to help other domestic workers but I don’t have [many] resources. This place is the only thing that I could provide,” Witni said.
Eight years ago, the village house started to be used as a temporary shelter for maids who had lost their jobs.
According to Hong Kong law, if a contract is terminated by either the employer or the domestic worker, the worker must leave Hong Kong within two weeks unless a new employer can be found within that period of time.
Witni has helped more than a hundred Filipino domestic workers by offering them a place to stay while they look for a new employer. She has even lent them money to go back to the Philippines if they could not find a new employer within the two-week period.
Some domestic workers have called Witni “Auntie,” as in Filipino parlance, that word is used for mother-like figures. They think Witni has been like a mother in the way she helps them solve their problems.
Witni met her partner Tatang seven years ago in Hong Kong. The couple are just like parents as they take care of every maid they meet, talking to them and sharing both their happiness and their sadness.
“This place is just like our village in the Philippines, I feel like [I’m] at home,” a maid named Vel said. “Our family is far away from us but here in the Beautiful Ladies’ Club, Witni, Tatang and other workers are just like my family.”
However, as the government is planning to retake possession of the land where the village house is located, Witni said it’s uncertain whether they will be able to find another place to continue the club.
God bless kbayan sa pgtulong mo sa kapwa natin pinay na taus puso mong pgtulong sa kanila..
I thank the lord sa mbuti kong amo.so i help
Pls whattsu me 57211936 for anyone who need help…by all means we are happy to be a part.
Its so rare to find people like them..thank you mommy witni and tatang
Thank you to all beautiful comments pls you can call me if you want to visit and enjoy with us during holidays 57211936
You have wonderful heart!kabayan
This is beautiful, I hope you find another place for this amazing act of sisterhood and love
God bless u poh more blessing to come sa mgs kgaya nyong my golden heart
Glory to God kababayan ibabalik sa inyo ng siksik liglig at umaapaw na biyaya.
Imee G Millares proud of you my dear kabayan from Bangar,La Union continue being a good samatitan,and more blessings to you and tatang.
God Bless to both of you!!! very kind hearted couple who is very willing to help thier kababayan.
God bless po.. good health…bihira po TULAD sa inyo matulungin sa kapwa..
Keep up the good deeds…God bless….
Nagpapasalamat din ako sa mga taong katulad nyo na walang sawang tumutulong sa mga kababayan natin dito sa hk,napaka laking bagay sa mga kababayan natin ang mga nawalang trabaho ang isang masisilungan sa oras ng kagipitan,pagpalain kayo ng ating puong may kapal.
Good job po kabayan naway patuloy po kaung patnubayan ng poong maykapal ng sa gnun ay madami pa po kaung matulungang kapwa ntin dto n nangangailangan ng inyong kalinga..god bless po
God bless you more kabayan ..you and your employer have a gold heart… its a big help to our needy kababayan
there is also a shelter in Sai Kung called Bahay Natin but only very few Filipinos know this place. It is meant to be for the same purpose as well. I just hope that it is being used for its REAL PURPOSE.
Am looking house to stay while wait my visa
More blessings to come po to both of you tatang at ate within,the Lord will return to you all your needs coz of your GOOD HEART,to our fellow FILIPINOS
God Bless u n ur family kabayan
GOD BLESS YOU for your generosity and kindness
What a good news about a kind-hearted kababayan! Proud of you auntie Witni and husband, may God gives you back more blessings and long life to continue helping our kababayan who have nowhere to stay,,,
God bls po couple both of you have good heart.for our kababayan
Your one in a million maam..salute po sa inyo..more blessings to come
Where is this village located
Thanks God na isa ka nakatulong sa kapwa natin.God Bless You More…
God blesses you more
???????????? God Bless You Sister & Your Partner
saludo po ako sa taos puso nyong pagtulong sa mga katulad kong OFW…GOD BLESS PO
Salamat kabayan sa Lahat ng Pag agapay sa mga kalahi ntin, Mabuhay ka., angpagpapala ng Diyos sa Iyo ay sumagana. Muli salamat sa Lahat.
I’m looking for a helper, contact me with this number. 52393675
Good Samaritans. God bless!
God bless you po God will pay all the things u make for others,, mabuhay po kau mam
The LORD will bless you abundantly such as good health, and everything that you need Ma’am Witni
Kneelbz Capadngan Munez ok
CJ Berut Raping welcome
TabajerosTin is one of our valued family of beauriful ladies club..mga itinuring nmin anak anakan nmin ni tatang..sila din tumurrulong to provides foods sa kbbyan
Hello my dear Remedios jimemenez carino yes…mgkkbyan nga tayo…lagi nman tayong mpgkawang gawa ..may maisshare nman tayo n bahay para mktulong.