We've hired a didi.
Here in Nepal, like in many other countries, having a housekeeper (domestic employee, nanny, etc) - called a 'Didi' here - is not only very common, but expected. Our didi works part time and does some cooking, cleaning and will eventually babysit a little.
Of course being from the West it has been an adjustment. My instinct is to feel uncomfortable, awkward, even offended at having help in the house. Imagine what my liberal social-justice-oriented higher education has to say about privilege, class & race in this scenario...
On the other hand, the lady (R) we've hired has put three children through school with her work, though she has minimal education herself. We pay her fairly, treat her well and today she announced to me that she found a 'very nice family" and is 'very happy'.
Once over the discomfort, we can think about the benefits of having her help us. She is already acting as a cultural translator for us, helping us learn Nepali, demonstrating how to shop (and not get ripped off), and also building a relationship with U, who seems to be really taken with her.
Not to mention she has cooked us some outstanding Nepali food. Here's a shot of our dinner, inclusive of rice, dhal, a veggie dish, salad and chicken curry: mmmmmmmmmm (bad quality photo, the power was out, thus lighting bad)
For my part, I believe in a reciprocal relationship and including R as a member of our little family, and less like 'domestic' help or part of some degrading hierarchy, which we are bound to think of coming from Canada. Interestingly, the meaning of Didi in Nepal is "respected sister".
I've enjoyed sharing my home space and appreciate her lively energy. She has already changed our 'settling in' process for the better.
Here in Nepal, like in many other countries, having a housekeeper (domestic employee, nanny, etc) - called a 'Didi' here - is not only very common, but expected. Our didi works part time and does some cooking, cleaning and will eventually babysit a little.
Of course being from the West it has been an adjustment. My instinct is to feel uncomfortable, awkward, even offended at having help in the house. Imagine what my liberal social-justice-oriented higher education has to say about privilege, class & race in this scenario...
On the other hand, the lady (R) we've hired has put three children through school with her work, though she has minimal education herself. We pay her fairly, treat her well and today she announced to me that she found a 'very nice family" and is 'very happy'.
Once over the discomfort, we can think about the benefits of having her help us. She is already acting as a cultural translator for us, helping us learn Nepali, demonstrating how to shop (and not get ripped off), and also building a relationship with U, who seems to be really taken with her.
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| R & U - new friends |
Not to mention she has cooked us some outstanding Nepali food. Here's a shot of our dinner, inclusive of rice, dhal, a veggie dish, salad and chicken curry: mmmmmmmmmm (bad quality photo, the power was out, thus lighting bad)
For my part, I believe in a reciprocal relationship and including R as a member of our little family, and less like 'domestic' help or part of some degrading hierarchy, which we are bound to think of coming from Canada. Interestingly, the meaning of Didi in Nepal is "respected sister".
I've enjoyed sharing my home space and appreciate her lively energy. She has already changed our 'settling in' process for the better.
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