As the adage goes, “Education is the best gift you can give.” We always aim to give this to our children, but how about also considering changing the life of your helper and her children back home?

Maribeth Arciaga, one of the many foreign domestic helpers in Singapore, received such a gift. After she was enrolled by Gina Romero and her family for the Aidha programme, she is now empowered – and taking steps to achieve a brighter future for her family.

Beth’s Story

Everyone wants to achieve a comfortable life for themselves and for their families. Maribeth Arciaga is no exception. From Ilocos Norte, Philippines, her husband’s death while they were still starting their family had Beth scrambling to find a way to support her two young sons.

Early on, Beth knew that what she would earn in the Philippines would not be enough to adequately provide for her family. Not having been able to finish college, her chances of landing a good job became even slimmer.

She worked as a domestic helper in Hong Kong from 2003 to 2007, but because of the SARS outbreak, she decided to return to the Philippines.

With a stroke of good luck, Beth was able to land in Singapore and become a domestic helper once again. The first few months were a struggle for Beth. Her salary was cut because she had to pay the agency’s placement fees and send some money back home. At the end of the day, all that was left for her was $20.

After a series of employers, Beth came into the Romero-Jimenez household.

Beth’s Journey With Aidha

Gina and Bobby decided to enroll Beth under the Aidha Programme. Aidha is a non-profit organisation that provides training programmes for foreign domestic helpers. Aidha was able to identify that most domestic helpers are trapped in a vicious cycle of ending up penniless after working so hard to send money back to their families.

The organisation aims to provide opportunities for these women to become free from this cycle, and build a more sustainable future for themselves and their families.

Over the course of almost two years, taking place every other Sunday, Beth learned practical skills in computer literacy, money management, and entrepreneurship.

November 29 2016, Beth and her batchmates proudly walked on stage to receive their Certificate of Graduation.

“I am thankful for the opportunity to have been in Aidha. I learned to be frugal and save my money for the things that are really important. Employers can give their helpers a chance to learn, to have a future,” Beth said.

Now, after being equipped with the right skills, Beth is taking steps to fulfil her dream of having a canteen back in the Philippines, a dream that was born when she created a financial plan while in Aidha.

This Christmas, why not give your helper the perfect gift of appreciation: The chance of a brighter future through education.

Aidha now offers English classes. Additionally, for Aidha enrollees, self-funded students will be able to get a $100 scholarship subsidy.

Give the gift of a brighter future, today!

Donations to the Gift of Education campaign will be used to help Aidha achieve their goal of raising awareness and $100,000 in support of their 2018 initiatives:

• DOUBLE THE IMPACT! Aidha recently lowered course fees by nearly 40% with the goal of making programmes more accessible to empower twice as many women by 2019!
• LAUNCH THE NEW AIDHA BUSINESS ACCELERATOR! This programme will help alumni more rapidly start viable businesses or strengthen existing businesses through sustained small group mentorship, access to funding opportunities and specialised business workshops.
• EXPAND THEIR PROGRAMMES to reach more low-income, Singaporean women. Aidha will continue to adapt their proven financial education model through exciting new collaborations.

From Aidha: “Thanks to the generous support of our corporate partners and donors, we are close to meeting our goal and we still need your help to make it possible. This festive season, please consider making a special gift and give more lower-income women the opportunity to change their lives.”

Please note that Aidha is an IPC (Institution of Public Character). Donations are 250% tax-deductible.