Nonhlanhla Ngubelanga hosts the Domestic Helper’s Day at Hillcrest Primary School each year to honour the women who help raise each child.
KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa – Nonhlanhla Ngubelanga the Foundation Phase IsiZulu Specialist at Hillcrest Primary School was inspired to give back to the women who give so much.
Domestic helpers play a massive role in the lives of the children in the homes they work in. Everyone has a story about a domestic worker that was in their lives growing up. We have shared a number of these stories right here on Good Things Guy, and they are always so beautiful.
Nonhlanhla had the idea of introducing this day in 2015 because she noticed the great relationship these helpers have with the children they look after – regardless of colour.
“In most cases, I would send new isiZulu words home (just for fun learning) and ask the children to ask their helpers to help them with translation. The helpers would also teach them some Zulu cultural activities/games to promote the language which made my job a lot more exciting when the children come to the lesson with so much info they have learnt from their helpers. After speaking to the school management about my idea of celebrating helpers, Mrs. Sharman loved the idea and so it begins.”
They have the first annual Domestic Helper’s Day in 2015. They chose to do it the day before Women’s Day so that everyone could be together. The school hosts a special assembly and encourage the women to attend in their cultural outfits. After the assembly, the women are served tea and snacks.
“What I have noticed over the years, as much as many families do not have full-time helpers or no helpers at all, the response we get from those families with helpers is overwhelming. Just this morning we hosted over 50 ladies.
The day starts with children performing for their helpers, speeches by senior management, and tributes by children, then festivities where children are serving tea/coffee and delicious treats sent by parents. The helpers get to sit back and relax while treated specially by the children.
Each lady receives a goodie bag to make her day even more special. They also get to take pictures with their little people which are later printed and sent home to the helper ladies.”
Nonhlanhla said she too was raised by a domestic helper who she calls her ‘special mother’. Her bond with her helper was very special to her, and she hoped to honour that through this initiative.
“These ladies do so much for the children and families. In some families, both parents are working odd hours and they rely on their helper to see that most of the school stuff is done. They also teach and train these little people as their own.
I always look forward to hosting them as this is enjoyed by children and their helpers.”
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