Filipino ultra runner aims to inspire Hong Kong domestic helpers to take control, as community grieves window cleaning death
- Dolores Vargas Sales is an ultra runner and hopes she can persuade more of her fellow domestic helpers to take part in sport
- Her message comes after the death of a domestic helper in Hong Kong who fell while cleaning the outside of a window of an 18th-floor flat
Ultra runner Dolores Vargas Sales wants to inspire her fellow domestic helpers in Hong Kong to take control of their lives through running and other sports.
“I always share with them that they must take care of themselves – whatever happens, get involved with different outdoor activities like hiking or running,” Sales, 44, said.
The government has outlawed asking domestic helpers hired or retained from January 2017 to clean the outside of windows above ground level, unless they are fitted with a grille and no part of the body but the arms is beyond the ledge. However, there have still been deaths of women who were asked to clean upstairs windows.
“It’s really sad recently,” Sales said. “I hope you know, because there’s no one that will help us.”
What are Hong Kong’s window cleaning rules for domestic helpers?
“I know so many domestic helpers are not in such a good place,” Sales said. “I know that my community has problems, troubles or battles of life. But trail running is my relief for everything.”
Many domestic helpers in Hong Kong do hike and take part in races. Team Bandilang Pinas, for example, is a Filipino running and hiking group.
“I’m happy that there are so many domestic helpers now involved in trail running or volunteering for events, especially for trail events,” Sales said.
She is a talented runner, having finished on the podium of races such as the Lantau Vertical and Great Relay.
Her recent trip to the Philippines to run the H1 was a rewarding one, although she did not complete the race, having developed plantar fasciitis – inflammation of the foot that can cause intense heel pain – before the event.
She discussed withdrawing with Hayward, but she insisted on seeing how far she could get, and promising that she would listen to her body and stop if it was painful.
The first few kilometres were great. “It’s amazing for me, I love the place,” Sales said. “There are no stairs, there’s no pavement, it’s trails all the way.”
Arriving at the third checkpoint, 61km in, Sales had plenty of time before the cut-off, but her foot issue had flared up and put an end to her involvement.
“I know my performance was only about 35 per cent, which is really bad for me,” Sales said. “It’s really emotional.
“But running in the Philippines, back home, was amazing. Everyone wants to talk to me and I’m very proud that I’m a domestic helper and I can do trail running.
“I always want more domestic helpers, more Filipino women, to take up trail running. So when I get home, I always talk to others and tell them, ‘Oh my god, this is amazing – I have done it, and you should do it, too.’”
