Please share your name.

Sherli Inggrit.

Where are you from (city/town, country)?

Madiun, East Java, Indonesia.

How long have you lived in Hong Kong?

I’ve been living in Hong Kong for 12 years.

Can you tell us a little about yourself and your interests?

I am one of the PathFinders Ambassadors. For almost 2 years I’ve participated in activities and campaigns that educate friends (fellow MDWs) about the law and maternity rights in Hong Kong.

Why am I comfortable here? I want to help friends who have problems. To help them, we have to learn a lot to provide correct information, regarding anything. It makes me happy I can help others solve or find the "right way" to their problem.

Do you have any hobbies or activities you like to do in your free time?

If I have free time, I like reading books and hunting for photos.

If you could have any superpower in the world, what would it be and why?

I really want to be Sailor Moon. I adore her a lot because she likes to help people who need help. I also want to be like that and help protect the weak from oppressors.

This year, we are running a campaign around the theme of care. What does “care” mean to you?

What care means to me is that we embrace each other. Whoever s/he is, and whatever the problem. With us caring, giving help to friends (no matter how small it is) will have an effect on them. A simple example: providing correct information regarding regulations for migrant workers in Hong Kong helps friends solve their problems.

When was the last time you experienced care?

I hear and provide care to friends who want to vent or ask questions related to employment cases almost every day. They ask me how to extend visas, what their rights are when they are terminated, what the procedure is for returning to their homeland, etc.

Regarding pregnancy cases in Hong Kong, I provided care to a fellow MDW at the end of October. She is about 6 months pregnant, and her employer granted her the right to an earlier and longer maternity leave. My friend asked how many weeks of maternity leave she can have (her employer also does not understand this). I provided that information and sent both the employer and the employee publications in Chinese and Bahasa Indonesia from the Labour Department related to maternity rights in Hong Kong.

What’s one action all people can take to show more care in our day?

Because of today's technological developments, people have easier access to information. The problem is, how do we provide correct information? It is undeniable that there is a lot of "misleading" information circulating that may lead people to take wrong steps and the impact might be very serious or even fatal. Everyone can help or care according to our abilities, but the most important thing is to take sincere action.

If there’s one action you believe employers can do to improve the domestic worker experience in Hong Kong what would that be and why?

Employers should provide opportunities for employees to develop themselves. Many migrant workers have talents for cooking, sewing clothes, crafts, etc. The problem is they don't have much time to channel their hobbies because of long working hours. If their talents and abilities are honed, employers also receive positive impacts. For example, those who are good at baking (making bread), can immediately practice making fresh bread for the employer's family.

Honing our talents and abilities is very important because we will not always work in Hong Kong. One day we will return to our country of origin. If we already have these skills we can develop and apply them in our home countries to earn income.

Do you have any other thoughts, ideas, or messages of care you’d like to share?

When you have the time and opportunity, do positive things as much as possible. For example, join an organization or participate in activities that match your hobbies and passions. Environment and associations also greatly affect our lifestyle. Don't make the wrong choice in friends. One wrong step might lead to bad consequences and affect our future.

Finally, grow your care wherever you are; it doesn’t have to be about giving money. Reminding each other to go for positive things is also a form of caring.