Employer provides maid with plane ticket and $800 to return to Myanmar and search for missing mother*

After hearing that her mother had gone missing following the devastating earthquake in Myanmar on March 28, a maid working in Singapore requested to return home. Her employers quickly agreed, purchasing a plane ticket for her and giving her an additional $800 to support her while in Myanmar.

Chen Huiqin, a 52-year-old obstetrician and gynaecologist, shared with Shin Min Daily News that her helper broke down in tears upon learning that her 62-year-old mother was missing after the powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Sagaing, Myanmar.

“We felt she should be with her family during such a difficult time,” Chen said.

Besides covering the $335 airfare, Chen gave her helper $800 in cash to help with expenses. She explained, “She has only been working for six months and hasn’t yet repaid her loan to the employment agency. She has no savings, so I hope this money provides some support.”

Best Home Employment, the maid agency, confirmed with their Myanmar partners that the helper’s mother was likely a casualty of the quake. Due to the emergency, the agency’s director, Tay Khoon Beng, said they waived the helper’s remaining loan, provided her with $150 for immediate needs, and expedited her return home.

When contacted on April 3, Tay expressed relief that the helper had reunited with her family and could now attend to her mother’s funeral arrangements.

At Changi Airport on April 1, the maid spoke of her anguish over her missing mother but expressed gratitude to her employers, calling herself lucky to have met such kind people. The 30-year-old university graduate hoped to find her mother and remain in Myanmar to be with her family.

Chen and the helper shared an emotional farewell, with both shedding tears. The helper wrote a heartfelt letter to Chen’s family in English, thanking them for their kindness and apologizing for only being able to work for six months. She wrote, “I wanted to work longer… I pray for your family’s health and happiness. Thank you for everything, my employer.”

As of April 3, over 3,000 people have died in the earthquake, reportedly the strongest Myanmar has experienced in a century. Tremors caused damage as far as Bangkok.