Lilia graduated in 1990, but could not find a job for which she was trained. As jobs are scarce where she comes from, she finally decided to come to work in Singapore as a nanny.

She has been with her only employer since September 1994. Her duties are care of two children, cooking, cleaning, laundry and ironing. The children are now 11 and 8. When Lilia first began working for the family they were 3 and 6 years old. Then, besides the normal household duties, Lilia also read to the children, told them stories and played with them. She also escorted the younger one to nursery school a short distance away. She had to make sure they were fed before they went out. Now the children are older and able to read on their own. But Lilia still has to make sure they are ready for school.

Both parents go to work and they leave all the household chores to Lilia. Lilia can cook fairly well. Occasionally she eats out with the family and Lilia would try to cook the same thing at home. She enjoys cooking.

Lilia is good-natured and happy. She has stayed with the family for 5 years and enjoys a good rapport with the family. She says she has no problems and the children are naturally cooperative when she tells them what to do and what not to do.

Lilia is at present taking a course for caregivers of old folks. She has completed 12 lectures spread over 6 months and is now assigned to an old folks home and works there 5 hours on alternate Sundays.