“Bring A Part Of Us Back Home To The Philippines”: S’porean Gifts Helper Of 34 Years, Who Took Care Of Her And Her 2 Sisters, With Handmade Quilt

It’s never easy to say goodbye to a helper who has been part of one’s family for years.

Singaporean architect and quiltmaker, Derlyn, who goes by the handle @quiltedbyderlyn on TikTok, recently posted a heartwarming video about her domestic helper of 34 years.

According to Derlyn’s caption, her helper, whom she affectionately addresses as ‘Yaya’, which means auntie or caretaker, left Singapore for good last month. They were very close which was why “buying her flight ticket was unexpectedly heavy and difficult”, according to Derlyn.

As such, Derlyn prepared a very special gift for her Yaya, who is “a permanent fixture” in her family.

“When we found out she wanted to go home permanently to rest, I decided to make a memory quilt for her made of my nieces and nephews’ clothes,” said Derlyn.

She then showed portions of the very special patchwork quilt, which included messages of thanks and blessings from her family members to her helper.

“I felt that it would be really meaningful that she could bring back a part of us home with her to the Philippines,” she added.

Derlyn explained that she didn’t want her Yaya to cry at the airport, so she decided to hand her the handmade quilt at home.

Then came the most touching part of the clip.

Upon receiving the gift, Derlyn’s helper held it up and hid behind it as she shed tears of joy.

“She obviously didn’t want us to see her crying, especially when mum walked into the kitchen. It’s just standard auntie,” Derlyn recalled affectionately about her caretaker, who also helped bring up her two sisters.

The pair then took a moment to appreciate the different pieces of cloth which made up the quilt, before heading into the room to have “a little bit of a cry”.

Derlyn also showed an adorable clip of her helper wrapping the quilt tightly around herself.

Derlyn then expressed her thanks to her Yaya, before ending her video with: “This is not goodbye but see you soon. Love, your three girls. ”

Many Singaporeans were left “in tears” after watching Derlyn’s touching TikTok, with some sharing that it made them miss their helpers too.

“Who’s cutting onions?” one netizen wrote.

Others complimented Derlyn on the meaningful gift, and thanked her for treating her Yaya like family.

Watch the TikTok below: