What Happened to the ‘Housegirls’? - BBC Africa Eye documentary

Three years ago, BBC Africa Eye’s Nancy Kacungira reported on the plight of three young women, Mercy, Scovia and Esther who left their homes to find jobs as domestic workers. Commonly referred to as ‘housegirls’, the film chronicled their hard lives and illustrated how being employed as a domestic worker can sometimes lead to mistreatment and even abuse.

Now Nancy is back and catching up with the three young women to find out how their lives have changed and whether their hopes and dreams became reality. From babies to boutiques to back to school, Nancy discovers how each former domestic worker has overcome difficulties and embraced their new lives.
***

Africa Eye brings you original, investigative journalism revealing secrets and rooting out injustice in the world’s most complex and exciting continent. Nothing stays hidden forever.

#DomesticWorkers #Kenya #Uganda #Housegirl

CREDITS:

Reporter – Nancy Kacungira
Executive Producer – Chris Alcock
Producer – Steve Ayeny
Film Editors – Ian Lloyd, John Moratiel
Production Manager – Simon Frost
Production Coordinators – Erin Osgood
Reversioning Producer – Anna Payton
Digital Producer – Tamasin Ford
Social Media Producer – Anusha Kumar
Online Editor – Chris Stott
Colourist – Boyd Nagle
Sound mix – Jez Spencer
Africa Eye Editor – Tom Watson
***

[hectormukaba]

Being poor and illiterate at the same time is a disaster for human kind. May God richly bless those who are making efforts in bettering others with nothing in return .

[sub_zero]

The fact that Esther named her child after Nancy says how much you mean to them.
Great work! 💯

[Kelo]

scovia's granny taking care of 3 generations of babies makes me a little sad

[Martin_Kyaroki]

Award winning journalism... well done Nancy

[jojoxx]

Scovia inspires me. I'm completely rooting for her

[evansonmuriithi]

This is amazing, you are not only a journalist but a human with a concern..

[msziva]

The girl child is so vulnerable in Africa. There was a rise in teenage pregnancies in a few countries during the Covid pandemic. This is sad when children in the first world were able to access their education online. We really have a lot to do still for the next generation 😥😥

[kevinnapier]

I'm grateful that your team did this follow-up documentary. This was also eye-opening. To see the hearts of these ladies still success-motivated is great. But, they still need legitimate opportunities to come their way. My prayer is for that to find each of them.

[pietfavoured]

Have been a domestic worker for decades now.
Being a house girl isn't easy.
Few people will respect you, other will call you eletrate, other will abuse you.
Have experienced all this although am glad God has been very faithful.
Nancy thank you for this documentary.
I feel like this important sector has been remembered.
More love from Kenya.

[jerilynwilliams]

Thank you for following up with these bright young ladies. The first documentary touched me a great deal. I’m relieved to know they’re doing well - and happy. Blessings!

[ogooluwaesther]

Scovi(sorry if I got the name wrong) is a very strong woman. I wish her all the very best in her career pursuit.

[asiam]

I was rooting for these women, happy to see they are alive and doing well 😊

[ahronrichards]

Glad to see the follow-up to their story. Despite the challenges they faced (and are facing, in the case of Esther) they seem to be doing well. Love their resolve and drive to succeed. All the best in their future endeavours.

[monalisawm]

All these women featured in the documentary have shown great courage, resilience, tenacity and hope. What an inspiring stories. I would like to help them, how do I get in contact with Scovia or mercy or the lady in North Uganda speaking in acholi? My respect and love goes to all of them. Thank you for this great documentary for showing reality of life not fake reality tv. God bless

[pinklove]

Mercy and to all the other girls you got this!!!! I am praying for yall. Within my schooling your circumstances have always motivated me. ❤️❤️

[africabyliesel]

God bless Grandma for her support. And all of you watching this that have domestic workers please them humanely

[nalishebonasilele]

This is really encouraging...young woman not giving up on their dreams regardless of the odds.... N other women standing up for them is really Keep up such good works

[winngriff]

The guy with the sewing school is doing a great service

[jojoxx]

There is dignity in every labour. Honestly speaking, we can't all be lawyers, doctors, teachers, journalists, etc. We still need people to work as fashion designers, hairstylists, laundry, and all. But, there should be dignity in every labour. I envision a future where domestic workers do their work with pride, dignity, and respect. A future where they are treated with the respect they deserve as human beings. A future where their services are needed and demanded for from agencies. A future where they don't go around begging and scavenging for jobs so much that they are looked down upon. I envision this and I'm going to birth it to life, because the future is mine, it is ours.

[paulineotinga]

Thank you so much Nancy for the follow up. Continue with the good work by giving the voiceless a voice. THE LORD Bless you