Rodelia has lived in Hong Kong for 19 years, employed as a migrant domestic worker (MDW). Five years ago, she began to suffer from depression.

During that difficult time, Rodelia set up a Facebook page to help share information and resources about mental health and MDWs rights to the MDWs community. The first of its kind, this online platform provides guidance to MDWs, explains their rights and encourages them to speak up. Later, Rodelia became the moderator and founder of additional Facebook groups, where she offers tips on well-being, posts notices about training workshops, and provides emotional support to Filipino Domestic Workers. One of the pages has reached 125,000 members. When individuals need additional support, Rodelia helps direct their cases to relevant consulates, and other organizations like Mission for Migrant Workers, Help for Domestic Workers and more. 

Recently Rodelia set up another Facebook group in response to the high suicide rate among MDWs in Hong Kong. She coordinates with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Filipino Consulate and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to provide guidance and emotional support to Filipino Domestic Workers struggling with distress, depression, and suicidal ideation.

Through her volunteering experiences and involvement in the community, Rodelia was able to overcome depression. Over the years, she has attended many talks as well as participated in a number of training workshops. She actively engaged in the “Train the Trainers” programme organized by PathFinders as an ambassador, and the “Are you OK” Campaign of the Equal Opportunities Commission. She has also been a member of the Help Desk committee and assisted MDW with issues related to employment since 2007. During her days off on Sunday, she is a school teacher at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Tai Po.

In her perspective, Hong Kong is a place that can help MDW change their destinies. She is motivated by a desire to connect the MDW community to organizations that offer support. She decided to join the Fellowship at Resolve to expand her personal network. She is eager to not only gain practical skills like public speaking from training workshops, but also to build self-confidence so that she can continue to encourage other MDWs struggling to seek help. After the Fellowship, Rodelia received Resolve’s Opportunity Fund to further her work in organizing workshops for MDWs to take care of people with disabilities, especially in the context of COVID.

In her free time, Rodelia likes to play the guitar and read books.