In a mountain village thousands of kilometres from her native Philippines, Emma Sumampong nurses her elderly mother-in-law, while also caring for her husband and children, working on the family farm, and holding a part-time job.
Sumampong juggles the needs of three generations in her rural home, but also must work on the family land and hold down a job. She is the main carer for her 89-year-old mother-in-law -- who cannot walk unaided -- helping her to use the toilet, bathe, and dress. The nation is facing a demographic time bomb -- by 2030 almost a quarter of the population will be at least 65 -- and with little state help provided there are concerns about who will care for the elderly if families do not.
In the countryside, the problem is even more pronounced after decades of youth migration -- particularly women -- to the cities. Those that are left often strongly adhere to traditional gender roles. So Sumampong plans to use her prize money -- about US$2,000 -- to visit her family in the Philippines, whom she last saw six years ago.Municipal official Nam Koo-hyun -- who nominated her for the 'hyobu' award -- says:"She sets such a good example to other migrant wives in our town."
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Source: The Straits Times - 🏆 8. / 63 Read more »