Feith Murunga, a struggling mother of six from Kenya, embarked on a treacherous journey to Saudi Arabia in search of a better life for her family. Little did she know that her pursuit of greener pastures would plunge her into an abyss of unimaginable suffering.
In the pursuit of providing for her children, Feith placed her trust in a broker and recruiter. She handed over her identification card and birth certificate to facilitate the process, believing that this would lead to a better future. The broker and recruiter took charge of arranging her travel documents, which encompassed a certificate of good conduct and a Kenyan passport. However, with little knowledge about her prospective employer's identity and whereabouts, Feith's journey began as she set foot in the airport, marking the beginning of an unforeseen and ominous chapter in her life.
Upon her arrival in Saudi Arabia, Feith's dreams quickly turned into a nightmare. A driver named Omar greeted her at the airport. The car that picked her up had no seats, with black curtains veiling the outside world, creating an ominous atmosphere.
Taken to a recruitment office, Feith was sent on a bus to her employer's house in Arar. As she reached the destination, her phone and passport were confiscated, leaving her utterly vulnerable and trapped. She was given a thin mattress and shown the cramped bedroom where she would sleep.
Her tasks extended far beyond what was agreed upon in her contract. Feith became a 24/7 domestic worker, cleaning the house, doing laundry, cooking, and taking care of babies. She also nursed her employer's mother, though this duty was never part of her agreement.
The abuse started subtly but escalated relentlessly. Feith endured physical beatings, torture, sexual abuse, and unimaginable psychological torment. Isolation became her constant companion, and she was manipulated mentally, breaking her spirit day by day.
The employer showed no regard for Feith's well-being. She was denied sick leave, annual leave, or any day off. Forced to work through pain and illness, her complaints were met with disdain, and she was given mere painkillers to silence her suffering.
Feith's body transformed into a tableau of
excruciating agony. The intense physical abuse she endured inflicted searing head pain, rendering her incapable of even gently extending her throbbing limbs. A grim testament to the heartless treatment she was subjected to, her arm now showcased a harsh 2nd-degree burn. This painful blemish vividly symbolized the cruelty she was forced to endure, the result of her employer callously throwing scalding water onto her.
In an act of desperation, Feith reached out for help on social media. However, the responses she received were inadequate, leaving her feeling utterly abandoned.
Her only chance at escape came while taking out the trash. She seized the opportunity and ran for her life, seeking refuge in a red cross office nearby. Hiding the truth about her injuries, she feared being returned to her tormentor.
Though she eventually shared the extent of her abuse with new police officers, the road to freedom was grueling. The Saudi agent offered some shelter and assistance before finally facilitating her return to Kenya.
Feith's heart-wrenching experience serves as a haunting reminder of the dark realities faced by many migrant workers. Her story highlights the urgent need for a world that protects the vulnerable and ensures that no one endures such unbearable suffering in pursuit of a better life.