PROJECT ZIP CODE

This month of July has been a fruitful one. We had the honour of working with the Centre for Domestic Employees (CDE), learning valuable people-skills, and meeting Singaporeans and Foreign Domestic Workers (FDWs) who share the same mind set of working towards a more understanding and accommodating society. The team would like to thank all of you for your unending support! Project Zip Code would not have been possible without the amazing women and men who shared their stories with us. We are truly touched by the genuine care and kindness shared between FDWs and their employers. Our FYP project is ending soon. However, this Instagram page might remain active later on. We'll keep you updated. 😁 #PROJECTZIPCODE #CDE #NYP

We’re at the launch site of Mobile CDE now! Come on down to catch our Project Zip Code Photo Exhibition and receive a free tote bag! All you have to do is complete our evaluation form at our exhibition. We are grateful to have met the Minister of State for Manpower, Mr. Sam Tan! Thank you for the picture, Mr. Tan! Come and support us if you're around the area! 😝 #PROJECTZIPCODE #EXHIBITION #MOBILECDE #PAYALEBAR (at Paya Lebar Square)

The month of July just zipped by! Project Zip Code has indeed come a long way! Here's a mini throwback video from some of our outreach sessions! We’re happy that the Centre for Domestic Employees (CDE) will be putting our project on display! Do come by and support our Project Zip Code showcase this Sunday, 31 July, from 11am onwards, located outside Paya Lebar MRT (towards Singpost Centre, beneath MRT tracks)! 😁 #PROJECTZIPCODE #THROWBACK #OUTREACH #EXHIBITION

"Thanks kakak, for always being there for me no matter what. Thanks for taking care of me, especially whenever I fall sick or get injured. I’m really glad you decided to stay on with us coz’ if you leave, you would have created a gap in my life. I love how that when you first came, you didn’t know how to cook Indian food but now you’re almost a pro. I also really appreciate how much you put up with both grandmas and you treat them as your own. I know it’s not easy to look after both of them but you have made it way easier. I know I don’t say this often but I love you." #PROJECTZIPCODE #FDWs #EMPLOYERS #APPRECIATE

"I've been working in Singapore for 7 years and with my current employer for 9 months. This is my 3rd employer. The two previous employers have been nice to me too. My employer always ask about my family and ask how are my children. When I ask them for permission to call home, they tell me I can call anytime I want, don't need to ask them. They give me the respect and privacy. Whenever I go out on my off days they never ask me where I go or ask me to come back by what time. When I was only working with them for 3 months, I wanted to go back to my hometown. They allow me to go back and even buy airplane ticket for me. Thank you Ma’am, for being the special employer to me." #PROJECTZIPCODE #FDWs #EMPLOYERS #APPRECIATE

"She was amazed at everything in the house; from pots and pans, to the refrigerator, to the cabinets in the kitchen. She didn’t have a lot of possessions as she lived in a kampong before this. I had brought her out to Mustafa to buy clothes and products she was familiar with back home. It was her first time working in Singapore, she’s been with me for 2 years already. She treats my children lovingly, as if they were her own. I want to thank her for taking care of our family with love." #PROJECTZIPCODE #FDWs #EMPLOYERS #APPRECIATE

"My helper came from Philippines and have been with us since I was born 17 years ago. She has made household chores so much easier for my family. I will try my best to help her with chores whenever I'm free. I'll also accompany her when she goes out to walk the dog. My whle family treats her like a part of the family. We go to church together and we always have dinner together. She is my confidant and I would share my secrets with her. She treats me and my siblings like her own children. Whenever I'm sad, she encourages me and gives me advice. I want her to thank her for being my 'second' mom." #PROJECTZIPCODE #FDWs #EMPLOYERS #APPRECIATE

"I have been working in Singapore for 22 years and I am very close with my employer. My employer allows me to go anywhere and even get me airplane ticket when I want to go back home to visit my family. The youngest son is also very close to me as I have been taking care of him since young. The whole family and I even go to church together. I am extremely thankful for my employer. She helps me to get airplane ticket, paid for all my expenses so I don't have to worry and comforted me when my parents passed away. We're like one family." #PROJECTZIPCODE #FDWs #EMPLOYERS #APPRECIATE

"My domestic helper has been working for my family for the past 21 years. Whenever I have problems, I'll go to her and she will be able to know how I am I feeling just by looking at my expression. My family and I treat her as a family member. Hence, we bring her along wherever we go. I want to thank her for taking care of me for the past 18 years and being there for my family. I really appreciate her presence in our household." #PROJECTZIPCODE #FDWs #EMPLOYERS #APPRECIATE

" I come from Chilachap, Central Java, Indonesia. I work here in Singapore for 6 years already. Every year my employer let me go home to see my Son. He is 14 years old. I miss him a lot. My employer pays for my lessons, so I can learn English and sewing because she knows I love embroidery. She takes care of me. Terima Kasih, Mdm."#PROJECTZIPCODE #FDWs #EMPLOYERS #APPRECIATE

"This may be a simple roast chicken, but for our family and our helper it is not as simple - it is her way of showing her gratitude to us and she insists on buying one for us every month when we pay her salary. Of course, every employer-employee relationship has its own difficulties - even more so with cultural differences and language barriers. Yet, we have always believed in communication, patience and understanding. Skills can be learnt over time, what cannot be taught is her love for our children and her heart of service to our family. We are thankful for her!" #PROJECTZIPCODE #FDWs #EMPLOYERS #APPRECIATE

"My employer will always introduce me as her friend to other people. I work for the same employer for 21 years. I took care of their son since head 8 months old, and now he is going overseas to study. They treat me like family, and it's like my own home. If I have any problems, ma'am will help me. We are close, good friends." #PROJECTZIPCODE #FDWs #EMPLOYERS #APPRECIATE

"She had been with my family since my mum was in secondary school and had always been taking care of my family. Her age is catching up on her and she has a heart condition now. My mum told her to stay in Singapore to get treatment as she is worried that kaka might not get the best treatment. Thank you, kaka, for all the years you have taken care of us." #PROJECTZIPCODE #FDWs #EMPLOYERS #APPRECIATE

"I come from Lombok, it's an island next to Bali. I am married and have 2 daughters. I come here in order to achieve a better life for my family. I like working in Singapore. I can save up for a small online retail business for my future back home. That's my aspiration. I want to say thank you to my employer who always understand me and I hope for her to be successful." #PROJECTZIPCODE #FDWs #EMPLOYERS #APPRECIATE

"My helper has been with me since I was born. I have no problems communicating with her as English is quite good. We have a close relationship as both my parents are working and she's the one at home most of the time. One thing that I find amazing about her is that she can complete all the tasks that were given to her, like all the cleaning, and yet she's able to cook good meals. I want to thank her, for being there for my entire life and being in every moment of our life." #PROJECTZIPCODE #FDWs #EMPLOYERS #APPRECIATE

"My name is Winarni. I am from Central Java, Indonesia. I am 34 years old. I have been working here for 10 years. I like Singapore because it’s very safe. In 2 years, I want to go back to start a family. I was scared to speak up the first time I come here but my boss is very patient with me. They treat me like family. They give me surprise on my birthday also and we travel together on holidays overseas to places like Hong Kong, China and Kuala Lumpur. I remember once my boss company friends come over and they treat me like family, my boss introduced me as sister. I am very touched." #PROJECTZIPCODE #FDWS #EMPLOYERS #APPRECIATION #MESSAGE

"I have a helper at home who takes care of my grandmother and my grandfather who is bedridden. As both my parents are working, she is the only one who can attend to his needs. She has really helped out a lot to take care of my grandparents. She knows me very well, especially in terms of my habits around the house. Sometimes I help her out whenever she does not know how to use any electronic devices. I will also try to help her contact her family. There were times when I felt very tired whenever I come back from school. But when I see my things neatly arranged, I feel very thankful to her although she was not tasked to clean up my room. We always get her to cook Indonesian dishes for us. Also, we will teach her how to cook Malay dishes. In this way, we share our culture and that brings us closer." #PROJECTZIPCODE #EMPLOYERS #FDWS #MESSAGE #APPRECIATION #NYP