AMANI Domestics

Reposting this from 2017: Still true in 2020.

Aaaah the drama of Amani domestic maids. Every day I see a shift that is very scary for the city woman to accept.
More and more the Ugandan housemaids are becoming assertive. The employer who wants a quality worker today, it seems has to be able and willing to be humble and accept that all we offer is money and the girls know they are offering life jobs, security, stability and so much more value to us.
We send ladies for interviews with prospective employers and the maid will confidently call us back to say "madam Olivia, I might be desperate but am not taking that woman's job. If she can speak to me like that in an interview what about at her house? Please find her someone else."
Meanwhile the client says to you I really liked that girl I will give her the job. When u tell her the girl declined, you will witness anger....... "who does she think she is, who can give her the money I was offering her? What exactly did she say..... Am calling her right now to give her a piece of my mind"

COMPROMISE: What are you willing to sacrifice in order to get what you want? Have you noticed that very clean and organised maids will not have time for your children. They will not want the children to get into their space or allow them to try new skills around the house because they will "slow down my work". Depending on your values and what matters to you most, you need to learn to compromise. The maid that is playful and loves children will not be as conscious of their untidy ways,she will be accommodating, she will prioritize the children's comfort over housework, she might not keep your house as neat as that house on TV. She will allow the children to create a mess because she wants to see their smiles and honestly children love to explore. My question, whose interest does your maid serve? Yourself or your child. Make that decision before you fire the maid and force your child to go through another traumatic separation. Ultimately are you willing to sacrifice your comfort for your child.