Field Activity: Voice of Community Helpers
Every day, we benefit from the work of community helpers, yet their contributions often go unnoticed. As part of this field activity, I spoke with a household helper whose story challenged many of my assumptions about resilience, dignity of labour, and the invisible work that keeps our daily lives running smoothly. Despite long working hours and occasional discrimination, her outlook on life was remarkably optimistic and grounded.
Personal Background and Daily Routine
Originally from West Bengal, she moved away from her family in search of better employment opportunities. She currently works as a household helper, managing the cleaning, washing of utensils, and cooking in nearly ten different homes every day. Her day begins at 5:00 a.m., and she starts work by 6:00 a.m., continuing until 1:30 p.m. After a short break, she resumes work from 3:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. On average, she earns around ₹30,000 per month, which supports not only her own needs but also contributes to her family's well-being.
Challenges faced
Listening to her describe her routine made me realise the immense physical effort involved in domestic work. Constantly moving from one household to another leaves her feeling tired, especially during the summer months when the heat makes the workload even more exhausting. While she acknowledged experiencing fatigue, she accepted it as part of her profession and continued her work with determination.
Interestingly, when I asked about stress and emotional challenges, her response reflected a strong sense of resilience. She explained that she does not dwell on her struggles for long. Instead, she copes by listening to music or simply sleeping, allowing herself time to recover emotionally rather than overthinking difficult situations. From a psychological perspective, these coping strategies demonstrate simple but effective ways of regulating stress and maintaining emotional well-being. Although her work comes with challenges, she chooses to focus on moving forward instead of allowing negativity to overwhelm her.
Coping Strategies and Sources of Resilience
A major source of her resilience comes from her family. Since her daughters live in West Bengal, her parents help care for them while she works away from home. She also spoke warmly about her husband's unwavering support, saying he never refuses her requests and consistently encourages her. However, she mentioned that her in-laws are less supportive. Even so, the emotional support she receives from her husband and parents appears to play an important role in helping her balance the emotional demands of working away from her children. This conversation highlighted the importance of social support as a protective factor against stress and emotional strain.
Despite her positive outlook, she also shared that discrimination is not uncommon in her profession. Some employers fail to communicate respectfully or treat domestic workers with the dignity they deserve. She pointed out that one of the biggest concerns is the lack of consideration when it comes to holidays. Many people expect household helpers to work continuously without recognising that they, too, deserve rest, family time, and personal space. Her experiences reflected how respect is often expressed not only through words but also through empathy and fair treatment.
Advice for Young People
When I asked what advice she would give to young people, she laughed shyly and replied in hindi, "Main kya hi bolu?" (What can I really say?). After a little encouragement, she offered a simple yet meaningful message, people should be more soft-spoken and respectful towards community helpers. Her advice was not complicated instead, it reminded me that kindness and respectful communication can have a significant impact on someone's daily life.
One Change they would like to see in society regarding their profession
Finally, when asked about one change she would like to see in society regarding her profession, she expressed a wish for people to stop constantly complaining about minor issues and to be more reasonable with their expectations and time management. She hoped employers would recognise that household helpers are human beings with their own responsibilities, limitations, and lives beyond work.
This interview left me reflecting on how easily we overlook the labour that makes our own routines possible. As a psychology student, I found it particularly meaningful to observe how resilience is often built through supportive relationships, adaptive coping strategies, and a sense of purpose rather than the absence of hardship. More importantly, this conversation reminded me that the dignity of labour begins with everyday actions such as showing respect, communicating kindly, and recognising the humanity of those whose work supports our communities. Sometimes, the greatest change we can make is not through grand gestures, but by treating every individual with the respect they deserve.
"May we not only appreciate the work community helpers do but also acknowledge the dignity, resilience, and humanity behind every task they perform."
-Navya Thakur, BA (Psychology, Economics)
Christ University, Delhi NCR Campus
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