Domestically Yours: A Caregiver's Inspiring Journey

Copyright ©2015 Annie Chua.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means – electronic, mechanical, photocopying, and recording or otherwise – without the prior written permission of the author, except for brief passages quoted by a reviewer in a newspaper or magazine. To perform any of the above is an infringement of copyright law.

Front Cover: Woman with luggage, photograph by Ronstik.

Cover and book design by First Choice Books.

ISBN – 978-1-77084-654-8

To live freely, to laugh often, and to love plenty;

these are the most wonderful gifts of life.

Contents

Introduction

Acknowledgements

Chapter One – Story of My Life

Chapter Two – First Encounter

Chapter Three – Second Encounter

Chapter Four – Ultimate Decision

Chapter Five – Caregiver Training

Chapter Six – The Interview

Chapter Seven – Bienvenue Canada

Chapter Eight – Twist of Fate

Chapter Nine – Permanent Residence

Chapter Ten – Celebration

Chapter Eleven – Independence Day

Chapter Twelve – Canadian Citizenship

Epilogue

About the Author

Introduction

I n 2003 I was 34 years old and I travelled 6,742 miles (10,850 kilometres) across the Pacific Ocean from the big city of Manila in the Philippines to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Wow! I could not believe I had travelled across an ocean to my new home on the Canadian prairie.

Why and how did I travel so far? It had been a goal that I worked and sacrificed so much for: and successfully achieved. I have longed to write about my journey and shed some light on what transpired for my family and friends so they may pass on my experience to the next generation. My story, which I am about to share with you, will cause the reader feel and understand the hardship of a mother who decided to leave her children for a short period of time to persevere in another country to ultimately give them a better life. I salute all mothers who took the same route in order to provide for their families.

In this book there are some basic facts about the Canadian Government’s 24 months Live-in Caregiver Program, it’s the program that helped me to start a new life in my new country. I believe thousands of Filipino families have gone through the same process, especially mothers who chose to change their lives by going out of their comfort zone to make their dreams come true. The program helped thousands of Canadian families to find a reliable person whom they could trust to look after their children or elderly parents.

The history of the Live-in Caregiver Program is as follows (source: Canadians for an Inclusive Canada).

1900 – European domestics – Women from England, Ireland, and Finland came to Canada as nannies, nursemaids, and governesses. Their work was valued, desired, and in demand. They were immediately and automatically given permanent residency in Canada.

1945 – Post-war demand for domestic workers – The care gap after World War II increased the demand for caregivers. The government aggressively recruited women from Barbados and Jamaica to serve as domestic workers. However, unlike their Western European counterparts, these women were considered reserve labour and not given permanent residency.

1955 – Caribbean Domestics Scheme – Unhappiness with Canada’s exclusionary policies toward Caribbean caregivers led to the creation of the Caribbean Domestics Scheme. A limited number of caregivers under the program were given the opportunity to apply for permanent residency after one year of working in domestic service. However, the women were also subjected to frequent pregnancy tests and were paid less compared to their European counterparts.

1966 – Pearson’s White Paper on Immigration – The federal government introduced a points-system for immigration, attempting to end racial discrimination and the preference for Europeans with their immigration policy.

1973 – Care work becomes disposable – The Temporary Employment Authorization Scheme changed the rules for permanent residency, deeming care work a low skill and treated live-in caregivers as disposable workers. This new scheme made it harder for live-in caregivers to qualify under the new rules. Because of the government’s unwillingness to recognize care work as a permanent ongoing need, the system failed to address Canada’s care giving needs.

1976 – The Seven Jamaican Mothers – Canada’s high demand for caregivers led to immigration officials advising women not to declare their children when entering Canada. Outrage ensued when seven Jamaican mothers were deported simply for following this advice. As a result, Canadian families and caregivers joined together to fight for caregivers’ rights to apply for permanent residency. Protests spread from Vancouver to Ottawa and Montréal. Black community members, migrant care workers, labour activists, faith communities, and Canadian families fought for recognition that care work is a permanent need in Canada and caregivers should have the right to be reunited with their children.

1981 – Foreign Domestics Movement – Demonstrations, lobbying, and activism continued to fight for the rights of migrant care workers. In 1982, activists handed Immigration Minister Lloyd Axworthy thousands of protest letters denouncing the government’s policies against caregivers. Mass mobilization led to the creation of the Foreign Domestics Movement. Caregivers still faced exclusionary policies and endured workplace abuse. But it was the first step in granting caregivers the right to apply for permanent residency after working in Canada for 24 months.

1992 – The Live-In Caregiver Program – After an extensive review of the FDM (brought on by continued pressure from Canadians), the government brought in the Live-in Caregiver Program to address the most abusive elements of their policies. The LCP explicitly recognized care work, an important move toward occupational respect. There were still many issues with the program that encouraged abusive working conditions. But the automatic right to apply for permanent residency after 24 months was enshrined.

In 1992, with the help of the Government of Canada and Canadians, a bill under the Canadian Immigration and Citizenship Act was passed to encourage foreign workers (like me) to go into the live-in caregiver program. In comparison with other countries, contract workers and domestic helpers overseas do not have the same privileges as Canada’s nanny program. The Federal Government of Canada made a big step to look into the shortage of caregivers across the country and implemented the 24 months Live-in Caregiver Program that permits qualified individuals from other countries to work as live-in help in Canadian homes.

Families in the twenty-first century need to support each other in order to meet the high cost of living. Fathers are no longer the sole breadwinners. Mothers have to contribute earnings to help out with the overwhelming expenses. As a result, with two people earning a living, parents have to send their children to a daycare or get somebody to look after them at home while they are working. Families who have elderly parents are facing the same problem. Fortunately, provincial governments started to take notice and introduced legislation to help families who face a care giving challenge. This program, the 24 months Live-in Caregiver Program, alleviates the shortage of caregivers and increases the number of permanent residences in the country as well.

In the next chapters, based on my own experience, I focus on how to get into Canada through the 24 months Live-in Caregiver program; the step-by-step process a caregiver should know; and how to find ways to get through it all when the time comes to make the big decision for betterment and opportunity. Please be informed that the information in this book might not be accurate and current. You can always refer to the latest information on the government’s website: www.cic.gc.ca

The experiences I include in this book will give you ideas to create the best opportunity for your present situation. I have a lot of friends in the Philippines who have wished to go abroad. This could be one way to achieve it. I hope this will give you inspiration to explore what you want and help you to discover your unconsciously talent hidden inside you. The same thing happened to me when I discovered this opportunity and I was amazed at how beautiful things unfolded on my quest. This can also be your passport to Canada.

As I said earlier, I have been longing to tell this story for several years. I wrote this book for my family to fully understand how I started my own journey in this captivating country of Canada. I hope I have relayed, to the best of my ability, the facts to guide you in your decision. It is up to you if you choose the same route.

Before going forward I would like to share some quotes, which gave me insight to start this book.

Every human being is created with a purpose and a responsibility to not only discover their purpose but also to fulfill it.

~ Zig Ziglar (1926-2012)

No one will ever see the world the way you see it. No one will ever have exactly the same experiences in exactly the same sequence. You are unique not just because of your genetic makeup but because of every single thing that has happened to you or you have caused to happen.

~ Rita Mae Brown (b.1944)

I was touched by what I read and these writers pushed me to impart what I have accomplished with hopes it will benefit people reading this book. This book serves as my contribution to humanity.

I was blessed with a wonderful family who guided me while I grew up. It was a heartfelt decision to leave my homeland and took great courage for me to travel alone to a foreign country with no one to turn to in case of sudden health issues, emotional problems or a life-threatening circumstance. With a strong faith and trust in God, I was able to cross that bridge and I made it.

My purpose is to reach the dreamers; grab this opportunity and use it as a stepping-stone. Who knows what’s to be found on the other side of the world! Keep striving to reach your goal, never stop until your last breath. And for those who have been in the same boat and have gone through the same process – congratulations! You have created the greatest achievement in your life. Good luck to all!

Tons of love,

Annie A. Chua

Acknowledgements

To my four lovely daughters Kristina Mari, Katherine, Kristal Joy, and Krizia Mae who patiently waited five years without me physically present during the early stages of their young lives. I was absent throughout their periods of joy, loneliness, confusion, sickness, and all that a young person can go through. Thank you for your patience. I love you all!

To my angel Karoline (July 6, 1995 – August 5, 1997) thank you for giving the biggest lesson in life. Life indeed is too short not to enjoy it. I will always cherish the memories we spent together.

To Wesley Frith (the best curling partner!) I appreciate all your guidance, mentorship, friendship, and patience with all my shortcomings. You brought out the best in me; which I almost forgot I was capable of. Keep on riding along with my roller coaster life.

To my wonderful parents, Tony and Henia Chua, I deeply appreciate all you had done for my children and me. You were the best mom and dad. Even though you had not been able to see and witnessed what I’ve accomplished, I know that you have guided me all the way in spirit. I love you so much!

To Janet Love Morrison, who patiently helped me get this book together from the bottom of my heart, a million thanks!

Chapter One

Story of My Life

Edmonton, Alberta – 2015

I established a retail store in 2008. One day, as I stood watching people browsing through the cute little dresses for infants and children, I stood in disbelief that I had achieved my dream of owning my own business to help raise my four beautiful children as a single mom. It’s now 2015 and I have reached the stage in life where I