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CREATING A NIGERIA WITH GOOD MAIDS

As the saying goes “The only way to overcome evil, is to introduce good.” “The only way to dispel darkness is to turn on the light.” This means that it is not by complaining that evil leaves, neither is it by ignoring that it exists. So what can be done to change the narrative that Nigerian/African maids are bad? What can be done to avert the maid tragedies that occur every other day? It is by grooming the good ones till they drive out the bad ones.

GETTING THE BEST OUT OF AN OLDER MAID

Above all, the way your employer-maid relationship plays out lies in your court. What you need to constantly remember, which is very helpful is that you are an EMPLOYER. Not a charity organization. Your older maid is not there for omugwo or holiday. She needed a job, you needed a staff and she agreed to earn a salary. You should demand value for your money. The moment you start exhibiting fear, you have given her a pass to act as she pleases.

BEING THE ULTIMATE TRAINER

Many of us are unaware of the responsibility we incur when we choose to hire maids. A brief look into the background of your maid will make you see that her coming to work for you was her only escape route from an environment that constantly told her she could never become something in life.

WRITING YOUR OWN SIMPLE CONTRACT

The advantage of writing your own contract is that it is proof that any action you take was agreed upon. It erases misunderstanding when anything happens. It also gives you security and peace of mind, that you have done everything within your ability to protect your end.

THE TALE OF THREE MAIDS: MY TAKE

As an employer, when you hear such stories, it is not enough to say “God forbid, it won’t happen to me”. Praying harder may not be your only solution. You have to find out what mistakes were made and do everything you can to avoid such. After reading the stories, I am super convinced that there is a knowledge gap that maid employers need to bridge. When the deed has been done by these maids, ignorance won’t be an excuse. I am determined than ever to create resources that will help employers before, during and after hiring and even more determined to teach maids how to do what is right. Not every bad maid might change, but we will sow the seed in their hearts, convert as many as we can to being excellent maids.