I’ve been reflecting a lot on where my deep love and passion for maids and nannies came from, and I realised something important. When my mum passed away when I was 17, I found myself being raised by the different maids and nannies who came into our home. Before my mum passed, I only recalled having two nanny in my entire childhood. But after she was gone, it was up to me to find nannies for our home, and I bonded with each one of them deeply.
In a way, they stepped in to fill a void, providing the care and motherly love I longed for but could no longer get from my own mum. Many of the maids I hired were older women, around the age my mum would have been had she still been alive, or slightly younger. Their presence brought a sense of comfort to me as I navigated life without a mother, and by God’s grace, they showed me so much love and care. Even those who weren’t my mum’s age treated us with compassion, knowing they were coming into a home where the children had lost their mother. They empathised with our pain, and to this day, many still check on us.
They respected the boundaries of their role, but their compassion went beyond just the duties they were hired for. Knowing this, it breaks my heart when I hear of maids and nannies being mistreated. I remember how well they treated us, despite their own hardships.
There were even times in my life when I was in danger, like when I was in two abusive relationships, and at the brink of real harm, it was the maids and nannies I called first for help. They never hesitated to come to my aid. I trusted them in a way I didn’t trust anyone else, because they had always shown they would go out of their way to protect and care for me.
I will never forget one moment when Gracie was young, and I was completely broke. One of the maids heard about it and sent me KES 1,000 to buy food. She sacrificed for me when she barely had enough for herself. Her selflessness reminded me of the words from John 15:13, “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” This verse perfectly captures the love I received from these women, and it’s why maids and nannies hold such a special place in my heart.
That is why I have dedicated my life to ensuring this industry is cleaned up. I work so that employers don’t mistreat their maids and nannies, and that bureaus don’t take advantage of these girls. As we all know, sometimes desperation leads to exploitation, with agencies even trafficking girls under the guise of housework. I want the girls to know how to live well with their employers so that everyone, employers and employees alike, can have wonderful experiences, just like I did.
They are such special people to me, and it breaks my heart for a purpose. As Mordecai told Esther, “Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14). Maybe I was created for this very purpose. Maybe I went through the loss of my mother so that God and I could transform this entire industry. If not me, then who?
Thank you for reading, and have a blessed day, ladies. You can let me know why you love your maids and nannies in the comments below.
Kate Karuri