Hong Kong is home to more than 350,000 domestic helpers, most hailing from the Philippines and Indonesia. Affectionately called “aunties”, many left their own children and elderly family members to care for others in the city.
Now a new book, My Extra-Special Aunty, narrated through the eyes of a child, celebrates the cultural diversity and creative talent within the migrant domestic worker community.
The book’s author, award-winning British filmmaker Joanna Bowers, wanted to capture the special bond between Hong Kong families and their “aunties”.
“By sharing this enchanting story,” she says, “we hope to inspire children and families to foster meaningful connections that transcend boundaries.”
It is not the first time Bowers has shone a light on the lives of foreign domestic helpers in the city.
It may seem meagre to some Hong Kong residents, but it is more than most of the helpers would earn in their home countries.
Guhit Kulay International is a collective of self-taught migrant Filipino artists based in Hong Kong, of which Cayat and Manguerra are founding members.
“Coming from the northern part of the Philippines, I wanted to bring my culture into this book by using traditional design and clothing,” says Cayat. “It’s the perfect tool to start a conversation, inspiring young readers to appreciate different cultures and understand their aunties better.”
My Extra-Special Aunty is available in both English and traditional Chinese, with all proceeds from sales and events supporting local charities Enrich HK and PathFinders Hong Kong.
My Extra-Special Aunty is available at The Lion Rock Press and Bookazine. For more information, visit myextraspecialaunty.com.