Indonesian Maid

It was last March when I traveled for the first time ever, away from my family, but I had to do it to support my family. That's why I signed a contract to work for a Syrian family. My seven sisters warned me about Arabs, and how their Caliph would make me his slave, and that his son would rape me. So I went to a doctor who gave me medicine which made me unable to have children anymore. When I got here, I was surprised that nothing bad happened, and I was told that there is no Caliph anymore.

I wake up at 8:30, have my breakfast, and start to clear up the house, which is a big one. At 1:30 I go to the fabric store this family owns to work there too, and I like going there more than cleaning the house because the merchant's children teach me a lot about trading. I finish cleaning, washing, and eat my dinner at midnight. That's when I go to my private room and look at my children's pictures.

I was expecting a higher salary, but I only get $100 a month, and this will only last for three years. Then I go back to Indonesia. I'll buy a house and a piece of land. Maybe I'll find a new husband, because my husband divorced me two months ago. I will save enough money so I won't have to serve anyone anymore.

What bothers me most about this job is that the merchant's family changed my name from Sariha to Mona, because my name doesn't suit their high class. I don't understand. I have lived with my name for 34 years and I never had to change it. Although I am illiterate, I don't believe my name affects their social position, and they won't lose their fortune because of it. - Ghoroub I.