Children’s book illustrated by Hong Kong foreign domestic helpers highlights bond between families and their ‘aunties’
- My Extra-Special Aunty, illustrated by artists who are also domestic helpers, captures the ‘meaningful connections’ between them and the families they work for
- The author, whose 2017 documentary shone a light on the lives of foreign helpers, aims to ‘inspire children’. Proceeds from the book will go to local charities
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.