RIYADH: Ameena, a domestic laborer, with a Saudi lady, Firyal, was rewarded with a rare opportunity to perform Haj, for her being honest and loyal to the family for 10 years. Ameena who took care of Firyal’s disabled children always cherished to perform Haj but for the financial constraints.

As Ameena’s sponsorship was transferred to another family, Firyal fulfilled Ameena’s lifetime wish to perform Haj by sponsoring her pilgrimage after considering her decade-long loyalty.

Such stories galore in the Kingdom, where domestic helpers, often inspired by their proximity to the holy sites, would dream of performing the journey of a lifetime. But most of them, especially female employees, find it difficult to afford the costs to perform Haj, as most of their salary is transmitted back home. But there are no dearth of kind families in the Saudi society that, often out of generosity toward their labors for their services and dedication, either sponsor their wish to perform Haj or helped them financially.

A Pakistani driver, Ameer, who remained loyal to a family in Riyadh for 25 years, had to return to his home country because of a death in his family, as also due to an earthquake that destroyed his home and property. The Saudi family contacted him and sent him some money, in addition to paying him a continuous monthly salary, which enabled him to rebuild his life and home. The money also made it possible for him to return to the Kingdom and perform Haj along with his whole family. Ameer could not visit his former employers to thank them because he was not authorized to travel beyond the holy sites.

Fatima, an Indonesian worker, worked for 15 years for Hissah while she was receiving health care. Fatima and Hissah quickly developed a powerful bond, providing Fatima with her need of love and parental care because she was an orphan, as Hissah’s daughter says. Fatima surprised everyone when she said she wanted to return to Indonesia, but before leaving her biggest dream was to perform Haj.

Following the death of Hissah, the biggest surprise was her mother’s will stated that Fatima can perform Haj on her expense. After getting the opportunity to perform Haj, Fatima says she is living in a state of happiness that has never experienced before.

An impressive story belongs to a Muslim woman from Kenya, who worked for a few months with a family. During that time, the family said she was easy to be with and had a good character. Fawziya, the owner of the house, wanted to award her for her good work, by offering to transfer her sponsorship and correct her status. The maid agreed on the condition that the family paid all her expenses to perform Haj. Unfortunately, the maid was forced to return to Kenya before her status was corrected, but she said she wants to return to the Kingdom and perform Haj.