It is no longer surprising to hear the news of employer abuse and hardships endured by foreign domestic workers in the Middle East.

But despite of that, there are also many heartwarming stories too. While the kafala system in place by the government has placed the helpers in a more vulnerable situation, a young Qatari man’s tribute to her Filipino nanny makes us all think that positive outcomes can still be formed between host families and their migrant workers.

Speaking in Tagalog, writer Nasser Al-Naama narrates how he and his family formed an intimate bond with his nanny, Yaya Zubaidah.

“I always conceived us to be a family of seven; the 7th member being our nanny from the Philippines – Zubaidah,” Al-Naama begins his video message.

“For more than twenty years since my birth she became a quintessential part of my entire family’s life and I can’t imagine what my upbringing would have been like without her in it,” he says.

“An immediate kinship with Filipinos”

“I feel an immediate kinship with Filipinos anywhere I go in the world,” Al-Naama adds.

“As a Qatari, I sincerely want to thank the Filipino community in Qatar for all their hard work and undeniable contribution to the development of this country.”

The response has also been grateful as well.

Share This Post