Nannies with an unusual workplace

A mother hands her baby to one of the Al Mafraq Juvenile Welfare Centre staff, as they pose for a picture with the babies in the main hall. Five nannies from the Philippines care for children at the cShow more

Five nannies from the Philippines help to take care of the children at Al Mafraq Juvenile Welfare Centre.

“We are very lucky,” says Jennifer Gaboy, who was hired through a recruitment agency. “We get paid Dh2,000, which is more than most Filipino nannies get, and we have Friday and Saturday off. Our shift starts at 7am and ends at 2pm.”

The nannies, dressed in white uniforms, care for children whose mothers are attending court or have a doctor’s appointment.

“This does not happen every day that the mothers have to go to court, and all we do is watch,” Ms Gaboy said. “Nothing else. We don’t change nappies or anything. There isn’t much work and the timings are good.”

Sol Achapero admits she was slightly apprehensive when her agency said she would be working at a prison.

“But this is better than working in a house,” she said. “We are a family. There is nothing like this in the Philippines. The Government here is so generous.

“The food is good and everything is free. You can’t get this outside or back home.”