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| DWC members dance the blues away |
If they were nervous or worried about the violence that has
rocked Hong Kong for the past 18 weekends they
didn’t show it. Or, they were just determined to have fun to mark the second
year of their online group, Domestic Workers Corner.
More than 100 DWC members led by their founder Rodelia
Villar, gathered at Pier 9 in Central earlier today, Oct 7, for their
anniversary get-together.
Although the celebration was more subdued than the one they
had last year, everyone who came was eager to join in the fun and share
stories, including how they managed to still take their days off despite the
unrest that has spread across Hong Kong.
Not a few spoke of having to walk across several districts
because of the MTR shutdown, or because the bus queue was too long it would
take them hours to get back to their employer’s house.
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| Co-admins Villar (also founder) and Tuando with the certificates they handed to members |
But Rain Tuando, one of
the group’s “admins” (administrators) was lucky enough to have been picked up
by her employers in Lai Chi Kok yesterday, after she got stranded when the
entire Tsuen Wan line on the MTR was suddenly closed because of an accident. She would have been unable to walk home because her employers
live all the way in Tai Wai.
According to Villar, the event could no longer be cancelled
because the food had already been ordered and paid for from members’
contribution. She also had certificates made for the occasion, ready to be
distributed to those who came.
“Kung sino lang po ang makakarating kasi bayad na lahat,”
Villar said. “Kung may matira i- take home na lang.”
But the turnout proved to be a pleasant surprise to her and
most people in the group. It seemed everybody was as anxious to dispel the
gloom from the long-running protests, as they were in enjoying each other’s
company.
But members’ safety was still the group’s priority, so they
scheduled the gathering early in the morning so they could all start heading
home after lunch. This was uppermost in everyone’s mind even as they played
games, danced and did as much merrymaking as they could muster.
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| Having fun before they start heading back home |
Shortly after 2pm, with stomachs full and hearts even
fuller, they began to pack away their stuff. Not a few live as far away as Tuen
Mun and Tsuen Wan in the New Territories , and Discovery Bay
But at the back of everyone’s mind was the wish that Hong Kong would be peaceful again. The long-running political
stalemate has gone on too long, and all they want now is to feel safe again in
this, their second home.
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