Skip to main content
Home The New Paper
  • Home
  • News
    • Singapore
    • World
    • Business
    • Views
    • Backstage
    • Others
  • Sports
    • Football
    • Singapore Football
    • Team Singapore
    • School Sports
    • Athletics
    • Basketball
    • Cricket
    • Swimming
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • Racing
    • Others
  • Entertainment
    • Movies
    • Music
    • TV
    • Star Style
    • School of Frock
  • Lifestyle
    • Makan
    • Hed Chef
    • Weets Eats
    • Health
    • Tech
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Shopping
    • Biker Boy
    • Celeb Chow
    • Others
  • Racing
  • Your Tip-Offs
  • Read E-Paper
  • Contests
  • Coupon
  • Team

Popular

  • COURT & CRIME
  • Food & Drink
Singapore

Domestic helper was 'never a maid but family'

This article is more than 12 months old
'She was never a maid but family'
Madam N. K. Ambika (left) started working for Madam Selvamary Prakasam 18 years ago. TNP PHOTO:SAMFREY TAN
Samfrey Tan
Nov 13, 2017 06:00 am
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on WhatsApp
  • E-mail this article
  • 0 Engagements

When Madam N. K. Ambika started working for Madam Selvamary Prakasam 18 years ago, she was reprimanded frequently.

Madam Selvamary, now 62, was a warrant officer with the Singapore Armed Forces and ran the household in a regimented manner.

But the two women grew to love each other.

Madam Selvamary wanted to nominate Madam Ambika, 53, for Foreign Domestic Worker of the Year last month but unfortunately missed the deadline.

Madam K. Jayaprema, president of the Association of Employment Agencies (Singapore) (AEAS), which organises the annual competition, said: "Exemplary workers (like Madam Ambika) should be recognised.

"These workers don't necessarily speak English but have stayed with their employers' families for many years."

Home 'most dangerous place' for women, UN
Singapore

More maids not staying for more than a year with same home

Nov 13, 2017

Related Stories

Man jailed for molesting his maid

Maids seen on scaffolding working on house's facade

Maid seriously injured after falling 7 storeys from condo unit

More employers - 480 this year compared with about 200 in the previous two years - are nominating their maids for the award, the AEAS told The New Paper.

Madam Selvamary said Madam Ambika would bathe her late father, who had dementia, change his diapers and endure his morning outbursts.

She even carried him down the stairs before a lift was installed in the block.

"She was never just a maid but family. She had the authority to discipline my children," said Madam Selvamary,

The children are now in their 30s, and Madam Ambika was proud when they got married.

She said: "It was as if my own children were getting married. (Madam Selvamary) insisted I attend (the weddings) as a family member."

Madam Ambika, who is returning to India for good next month, added: "I will always remember the care my employer has shown me."

Get The New Paper on your phone with the free TNP app. Download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store now

DOMESTIC HELPERForeign WorkerEmployment

Samfrey Tan

Read articles by Samfrey Tan
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on WhatsApp
  • E-mail this article
  • Newslink -  Purchase this article for republication

Top Stories this Month

Irfan Fandi (left) with fellow Singaporean Benjamin Tan, the Thai League's deputy chief executive and director of club licensing.
Singapore Football

Irfan first S'porean to win Thai L1 title

Mar 05, 2021
Old RGS used as Sunday gathering site for maids till end-June
Singapore

Old Raffles Girls' School used as Sunday gathering site for maids till end-June

Mar 08, 2021
Actor Terence Cao and guest charged over rule breaches at party
Singapore

Actor Terence Cao charged over rule breaches at party

Mar 03, 2021
Home
  • Contests
  • Coupon
  • Team
  • Home
  • News
    • Singapore
    • World
    • Business
    • Views
    • Backstage
    • Others
  • Sports
    • Football
    • Singapore Football
    • Team Singapore
    • School Sports
    • Athletics
    • Basketball
    • Cricket
    • Swimming
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • Racing
    • Others
  • Entertainment
    • Movies
    • Music
    • TV
    • Star Style
    • School of Frock
  • Lifestyle
    • Makan
    • Hed Chef
    • Weets Eats
    • Health
    • Tech
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Shopping
    • Biker Boy
    • Celeb Chow
    • Others
  • Racing
  • Your Tip-Offs
  • Read E-Paper
  • Contact TNP
  • About SPH
  • Privacy Statement
  • Data Protection Policy
  • Member Terms & Conditions
  • Website Terms & Conditions
SPH Digital News Copyright © 2021 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. Co. Regn No. 198402868E