From a desperate mother...
Doha is the only GCC where it is not allowed to have a hoiusemaid of the same nationality. The reason given being to discourage the relatives getting in to work for the sponsor family...
Housemaids in free VISA also is not there like in other GCC.
I am trying my level best to feed and take care of my family, but my left arm is slowly turning useless because of cradling a special needs child who resists feeding, 5 times a day for the past 4 years.. I am currently undergoing physiotherapy and am crying inside for some help.
I am quite insecure about getting a lady with no referrence from an unknown place and language as my special needs child who cannot walk or talk understands only few words in my mother tongue.She will lose that capacity too if I introduce another language to her.
The only groups which gain from this rule are hotels which get more business and cleaners who get more parttime jobs.
The children suffer from lack of attention from parents as they are not free enough especially if both are working.. Obesity is more in Qatar as home made food is a rare fare in many homes..
In Dubai, we always had housemaids who came in for an hour to do a quick clean up, chopping of vegetables and hanging up the laundry etc. If the mother had to go out to the clinic or a break, the maid could be called for an hour or two..
In 15 years of my married life this year is the one in which we have eaten from outside the most, after we landed in Doha a year and a half back.. Once to thrice a week is the average frequency of eating or ordering from outside...
I know families who have been in Doha for more than 10 years, making home food average once a week. The kids are overweight and the parents in their early forties are already suffering from Diabetes and Hypertension and a big tummy though they dont drink or smoke..
They preffer to somehow carrying on than risk bringing in a person with not much referrence and who needs to be taught A to Z about your way of cooking,etc without having a common language, mostly..
It would be appreciated if this gets noticed by any authority or the royal family.. Many of us ordinary folks are suffering because of this rule.
Can someone make a difference?
Another suggestion would be to post advertisements in schools (especially the Indian schools since that's where you're looking) once they start stating that you're looking for someone to help out with a special needs child. You should have luck there.
i adopt wat brit said... if a perrson is gud n carin nationalities should not b botherd... it mite b difficuilt to get, but u can try givin ADS....
I undestand your predicament and the stress you must be under. I think Olive has a valid idea. Another may be to look for a maid from a country nearest to your own, where the culture may be similar and perhaps she may understand the language also.
To be honest, If she is a caring, loving person with the child, then language should not be a major issue.
the proper authority. Bring an arabic translator and explain your situation. I know a lot of my "kabayans" who after several tries get the needed househelp of same nationality!
You can't bring in a maid from your own country, but there's nothing stopping you (correct me if I'm wrong) from hiring someone, say a wife or daughter who's under their husband/father's sponsorship, part time to come in and help you. I suggest you look into that possibility. It might not suit all your needs but it would surely help.
Also check with Shafallah center, they may know of people who are looking for positions caring for children with special needs.
i am sure there are many people, even among your own nationality, who are trianed to take care of a special needs child. but finding such a person is an uphilll task. you can advertise here on QL or even in the local dailies asking if such a person is available or make enquiries among family and friends and extended friends too. Im sure you may have tried these options but there seems no other way from what i understand of your predicament. but yes if i do come accross anyone will post the info here for u.:-)...
Haripriya,
It (stealing) has nothing to do with Nationality.
We cannot possibly complain as it is illegal to hire cleaners or maids that way...
If the person belongs to our home country, we can atleast try to trace him/her... And the person who comes that way will have a greater sense of responsility and accountability too.
Elegance I have a special needs child in my family so I can relate to your experience. I hope things work out for you, if I come across any decent help, I will send you the details about it.
for your nationality people for domestic help,there are few people who come and work but many times it may be little expensive.
As for your child with special needs definitely i agree with you as voice and slang will create confusion in the minds of kids.
Trusting other nationalities in no harm as gkramer said but sometimes if bad luck hits as my case you might ending losing your valubales ( not to mention all here)
S friends, I had a Srilankan guy working as housemaid who comes just once in a week to clean& had stolen our Jewels & money last Thursday. have launched a complaint but still waiting for any updates....
It is not the matter of trust, gkramer..I get along with any nationality and might even trust my kid with them... but the risk is high with my special needs child...She shows a grumpy face or even cry, if we talk to her in long sentences in English even... not being able to understand, and thinking we are scolding her or something, because the tone of both the languages sound different.. We would'nt have bothered if it was just a child :-)
And I just dont have the energy or patience for a cultural exchange and training programme at the moment..though all my 3 Srilankan housemaids and I for over 13 years managed well. Wish someone could just come and take over without the long,initiation...
I am sorry for your situation but you should learn to trust other nationalities too.
NOBODY (I mean the concerned "BODY") WILL EVER READ your post because they are blind, deaf, dumb and mindless.
Sorry to say this.
But don't worry. I am sure this will be continued only to a maximum 100 years.
Please don't compare with Dubai.