Mylen Flores Calay: Compass GlobalPinoy Awardee

Mylen left the Philippines last 2010 to work as a Domestic Helper in Singapore. She stayed and worked there for 3 years. She is a single mother of two beautiful children. Her eldest daughter was just 3 years old when she left. Like other OFWs, Mylen had to leave her family and work in a foreign land to be able to provide a good life for her children.

She continued her journey as a Domestic Worker in Singapore until 2014 and transferred to Hong Kong. But even before she moved, she was already helping other Filipinos by doing volunteer work in Singapore. She has helped new OFWs by trying to explain the law and boost their morale whenever they feel homesick. She also helped in looking for new employers for terminated Filipinos through her agency.

In 2016, she started a small group as CARADO Girls in Tai Wai, Hong Kong to somehow help ensure the safety of each Filipino in the area. The other goal of the group is to give orientation to new comers, free counseling and advice if needed. They have also donated some of their own money to lend to the new helpers as emergency fund while waiting for the first salary.

Through their group, they were able to monitor OFWs during the turmoil and chaotic days in Hong Kong last June 12, 2019.

Mylen had experienced dealing with different situations, problems and challenges encountered by her “kababayans”. The most tragic one was the case of an OFW who committed suicide last May 2019. She helped by contacting the family members in the Philippines and the husband in Saudi Arabia. She and the group helped the Philippine consulate ensure that body of the Filipina will be sent back to the Philippines.

The latest one was when she asked helped using the Compass PH app for a terminated DH during a Typhoon No. 8 calamity last August 2019.The Filipina was rescued and has stayed in the shelter in Jordan Road.

“Hindi matatawaran ang pagtulong ng walang kapalit. Alam ko ang pinagdaraan ng mga Pinoy sa ibang bansa, dahil pinagdaan ko din ito. Hindi naten alam ang kanilang kwento, Single parent, may sakit ang anak, ang magulang, may mabigat na pinagdaraan. Ang simpleng tulong ay mahalaga. Minsan may mga blessings na dumarating saken, napapaisip ako, salamat sa Diyos dahil may nagagawa akong kabutihan sa kapwa bukod sa aking pamilya. “