Recruitment.

NEEDS

Domestic workers need avenues to destress and be away from work. They live and work with Singaporean families all day. They face work-related and financial stress in Singapore, a foreign land away from their home country. According to a study by Anjara, et al (2017), which explored the stress, health, and quality of life of 182 female migrant domestic workers, they found that “over half of the respondents (52.5%) reported feeling stressed”
There is a need for more platforms where both parties are able to interact and learn more about each other. A proportion of Singaporeans hold prejudices against foreign workers. According to a study conducted by the International Labour Organization and United Nations Women (2019), which surveyed 1,005 Singaporeans found that 53% of those surveyed viewed migrant workers as a threat to the country’s culture and heritage. In addition, 32% of the sample also perceive migrant workers as having poor work ethics.
Domestic helpers need appreciation and recognition for their efforts. There have been cases of domestic helpers resorting to violent acts due to their rage of feeling unappreciated by their employers. According to a news article by Asia One (2017), a domestic helper from Myanmar strangled her employer’s daughter out of rage as she felt like she was unappreciated
The last need is interactions with follow hometown friends, who also work as domestic helpers. "Nearly 20% of participants reported being ‘Isolated’ or ‘Very Isolated’ despite having access to rest days" (Anjara, et al., 2017).

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JOB DESCRIPTION FOR VOLUNTEERS

To conduct home visits fortnightly, for a dialogue session with an assigned foreign domestic helper. Volunteers will go through basic conversational training and a briefing before the program. They will act as listening ears for them to talk about their troubles.
To serve traditional hometown food for foreign domestic helpers. Volunteers will go through a hygiene lesson before the program. They will help chefs out with minor tasks in the kitchen and serve food for foreign domestic helpers.
To share a hobby with foreign domestic helpers. Volunteers will come down to Community Centres to share their hobbies with domestic helpers.
To aid in teaching foreign domestic helpers a second language (e.g Chinese). Volunteers will act as helpers during the language lesson, they will guide the domestic helpers when needed.
To go on an outing with foreign domestic helpers. Volunteers will go around Singapore to explore famous sites, alongside foreign domestic helpers.
To act as docents alongside domestic helpers at a photo exhibition showcasing the lives of foreign workers. Volunteers can interact with domestic helpers and also allow the public to gain insight into domestic helper’s lives
To conduct simple health screenings for domestic helpers under the guidance of healthcare professionals, during Healthcare week in Helper Appreciation Month.
To plan an award ceremony for domestic workers and their employers, on a community level. This is to recognise the efforts of foreign domestic helpers.
To befriend domestic helpers at a foreign worker gathering organised by social enterprise, Air Amber.
To conduct activities for foreign domestic helpers during Migrant Workers Day, so as to facilitate bonding among the domestic helpers.

PROMOTIONAL MESSAGE

Firstly, volunteers will able to hone and nurture their leadership skills by planning and executing activities with foreign domestic helpers. According to research by Consulting giant Deloitte, it was found that volunteering experience can play a crucial role in constructing “…leadership skills considered as ‘must-haves’ for successful leaders” (Hartung, 2019). Volunteering will help exercise your leadership capabilities which will aid you in your future careers.

Secondly, many of these services allow you to have the authority to make decisions. You are given freedom and flexibility in the execution of the services. Before embarking on the service activities, you will attend workshops and training to gain knowledge and understanding of domestic helpers. After the necessary training, you will be fully responsible for the befriending and interaction sessions with domestic helpers. This will allow volunteers to "...feel a sense of responsibility to see the user regularly for a particular purpose" (Dean & Goodlad, 1998). You are given the power to make decisions during your time of service. For example, you are in charge of planning activities during your befriending sessions with domestic helpers.

Most of the services listed involve an element of communication and interaction. This will enable you to develop your soft skills. Soft skills are personal attributes required for a job (Doyle, 2020). According to Doyle (2020), this includes "...communication skills, listening skills, and empathy..." Through interaction with foreign domestic helpers during the service activity, you will be able to develop your soft skills and act as better listeners and communicators through the frequent interactions with foreign domestic helpers during the service activities. You will also be able to better understand and relate to foreign domestic helpers through the service activities listed.

The service activities also allow you to work collaboratively with other fellow volunteers. You will be able to come into contact with volunteers from different age ranges and diverse backgrounds. This is "...an excellent way to develop teamwork competences" (Maione, 2016). The service activities will allow you to be exposed to different groups of people in society. You will be able to come across people from various walks of life and listen to their life stories while volunteering alongside them.