在异乡燃起希望的火光：Dora家庭佣工的生命旅程 A Spark of Hope in a Foreign Land: The Life Journey of Dora

在我家里，有一位已经陪伴我23年的外籍女佣，她的名字叫做 Dorkas，大家都亲切地叫她 Dora。38 岁的 Dora，总带着一抹温和的笑容。她来自印度尼西亚东努沙登加拉省的松巴岛（Sumba, Nusa Tenggara Timur），是一位坚韧而善良的女性，也是我们家中不可或缺的一份子。

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为十二份希望远行的故事

“我的姐姐很想继续念书，但家里真的负担不起高昂的学费。”说到这里，Dora 的眼神里交织着对亲人的爱与无奈。

Dora 的故事，始于一份沉甸甸的家庭责任。作为家中十二个兄弟姐妹之一，她深知家里的经济压力有多么巨大。为了减轻负担，她不得不放下课本，提前踏入大人的世界。

15 岁那年，本应是无忧无虑的青春时光，Dora 却做出了改变人生的选择：离开家乡，踏上陌生而遥远的旅程。

她决定成为一名家庭帮佣，用自己尚显稚嫩的肩膀，扛起整个家庭对未来的期望。

23 年的菜市场生活

Dora的工作主要是协助我妈在清晨的菜市场里卖菜。这是一份与日出赛跑的工作，每天都需要早起准备。她坦言，这份工作固然辛苦，但她却由衷地享受其中。

“我很喜欢这份工作，因为我感受到被信任，被欣赏。”她说这话时，眼中闪烁着光芒。她对自己的薪水很满意，更感激地说我的母亲对她非常好，这份被尊重的感觉，远比金钱更加珍贵。

和 Dora 一起吃西餐后的合影。

一场疫情，我们成了一家人

Dora 分享了一个发生在 COVID-19 疫情期间，让她感到温馨的小故事。

那段时间，我和姐姐、还有 Dora 先后感染了病毒。家里唯一没有染疫的人，是我的母亲。为了照顾我们三个病患，母亲几乎是夜以继日、不眠不休地悉心照料着我们，也从未因为 Dora 是外籍劳工而有丝毫区别对待。

“我真的非常感动，妈妈把我当成家人一样。”Dora 说这句话时，眼眶微微泛红。

那一刻，她深刻地意识到，她来马来西亚工作的意义，早已超越了单纯的赚钱。更重要的是，她遇见了一个真正接纳、包容她的家庭。在这异乡，她找到了属于自己的安身之处。

努力换来的丰盛

Dora 靠着自己多年辛勤工作赚来的钱，成功地将家乡的老房子翻修一新，让家人的生活质量得到了改善。她的奉献，为远方的家人带来了实实在在的舒适与希望。

她计划继续留在马来西亚，直到我的侄女长大开始上学。当我问起这段异乡打拼的经历教会了她什么时，她回答道：

“它让我学会了如何为自己负责，让我懂得如何去争取自己想要的生活。”

聆听 Dora 的故事，我彷佛看见一束微小却坚韧的光芒。这更让我由衷地感到庆幸，能遇见 Dora。

她从小陪伴着我长大，无微不至地照顾我的生活起居，我们之间的情谊早已如同家人般亲密。虽然社会上偶尔会出现外籍劳工的负面新闻，但 Dora 以她的正直、踏实与奉献证明了：人与人之间的真诚与善意，是可以跨越国界、跨越身份的。

Dora来参与我diploma的毕业典礼 并给我买了一束花。

At home, we have a migrant domestic helper who has been with us for 23 years. Her name is Dorkas, but everyone affectionately calls her Dora. At 38, Dora always carries a gentle smile. She comes from Sumba, Nusa Tenggara Timur in Indonesia, a resilient and kind-hearted woman, and an indispensable part of our family.

A Journey for Twelve Hopes

 “My sister really wanted to continue her studies, but the family just couldn’t afford the high tuition fees,” Dora said, her eyes reflecting a mix of love and helplessness.

Her story began with a heavy family responsibility. As one of twelve siblings, Dora knew all too well the weight of her family’s financial struggles. To ease the burden, she had to put down her books and step into adulthood early.

At 15, an age that should have been carefree, Dora made a life-changing choice: to leave her hometown and embark on a long, unfamiliar journey.

She decided to become a domestic helper, carrying on her still-young shoulders the weight of her family’s hopes for the future.

23 Years of “Pasar” Life

Dora’s work mainly involves helping my mother sell vegetables at the market in the early mornings. It’s a job that races against the sunrise and requires waking up very early every day.She admits that it’s hard work, but she genuinely enjoys it.

“I really like this job because I feel trusted and appreciated,” she says, her eyes sparkling. She is satisfied with her salary and even more grateful that my mother treats her so well. That sense of respect, she says, is far more precious than money.

Photo caption: A photo taken after having Western food with Dora

The pandemic brought us together as a family.

Dora shared a heartwarming story from the COVID-19 pandemic.

During that time, my sister, Dora, and I all caught the virus one after another. The only person who didn’t get sick was my mother. To care for the three of us, my mother worked tirelessly day and night, never showing the slightest difference in treatment toward Dora, even though she is a migrant worker.”

“I was truly touched, she treated me like family,” Dora said, her eyes slightly misty.

At that moment, she deeply realized that working in Malaysia meant more than just earning money. More importantly, she had found a family that truly accepted and embraced her. In this foreign land, she had found a place to call her own.

The Rewards of Hard Work

Thanks to her years of hard work, Dora managed to renovate her family’s old home back in her hometown, improving their living conditions. Her dedication brought real comfort and hope to her loved ones far away.

She plans to stay in Malaysia until my niece grows up and starts school. When I asked her what working in a foreign land has taught her, she answered:

“It taught me to take responsibility for myself and how to fight for the life I want.”

Listening to Dora’s story, I see a small yet resilient light. I feel deeply grateful to have met her. She has been with me since childhood, taking care of me in every little way. Our bond has long grown as close as family.

Though there are occasional negative news stories about migrant workers, Dora has shown through her honesty, diligence, and dedication that sincerity and kindness can cross borders and transcend social identity.

Photo caption: Dora attended my diploma graduation and bought me a bouquet of flowers