We are thinking of getting a tv for our helpers room, but as there is no cable connection/broadband access in there I wonder what people do. To just get the local channels does not give her much choice, and I would like to get the Phillipine channels if possible. I realise we can get a cable connection installed/internet access installed but assume this is quite costly. We already had connections in other rooms of the house when we moved in.
Any suggestions?
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mrsl
18 yrs ago
We have Now Broadband, so we transferred the kitchen phone to her (adjacent to her room) and ran a cable through. Still no Philippine channels though. I gave her some money to buy Tagolog DVDs (not quite the same though). Now Broadband claim that they will be adding Philiipine channels soon, but will believe it when I see it. Cannot remember the cost, but it was not too expensive. I was too mean to give her IDD though.
We were in the same position, every room in the house (including bathrooms) had phone sockets, except hers. Hers is the only room without AC too. Just shows what the priorities of the developer were.
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a.m.
18 yrs ago
AdelaideMum & mrs, this is very nice of to do for your helper. As a helper myself I am sure your respective helper are very happy with this. And talking about AC yes developers shows no heart for the helpers, its good you have good size room for your helper I assume you know the one made purposely for a helper. You should have seen a helpers room at those houses at Watford Villa at the Peak and those huge houses at Portofino, in Clear Water Bay, 123 Pak To Avenue.
By the way the Filipino channel cost 200 dollars I believe per month I know because at my boarding house we tried to get one but decided not to at the end because we do not want a lot of people coming over by friends of friends.
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Shocking if a Filipino channel costs that much - I have loads of English channels for less than that in total.
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Mrsl - I assume you had to rent an extra broadband tv box for her room? Do you know what this costs?
Our helper is lucky enough to have her own air conditioner, which was a relief to us when we rented here.
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mrsl
18 yrs ago
Yes, we got an extra box and an extra phoneline. I cannot find the piece of paper at the moment, but I don't think that the installation cost more than HK$500, and I think the monthly rental ia about HK$200 for 6 channels. If I find the exact numbers while filing after the children go to bed (I am WAY behind, so may take a while), I'll PM you.
We have to turn the kitchen AC on high and our DH leaves her door open and the kitchen dor closed. It is costing a small fortune, but otherwise she'd be sleeping in an oven.
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jsich
18 yrs ago
Contact Cable tv if you want filipino channel, they will tell you how much per month.
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She doesn't need aircon. She can sleep with a fan. I do. Plenty of people do. Aircon is a luxury, not a necessity. This is not about abusing maids, but about providing an acceptable living environment.
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All 3 live in maids I employed so far preferred no air con, even when working. I on the other hand like to come home to a nice chilled apartment so we're always having to refine the temperature to suit.
Actually when we moved with my first helper we tried to get her to live one of the air con rooms in the main apartment she was most unhappy about that and finally moved back to the maids room where she could have more privacy.
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Most DH in their home country don't have AC (usually a fan but I know some who don't even have that) and its as hot if not hotter than HK.
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mrsl
18 yrs ago
That's fine for those who do not want or need it, but ours does, and frankly, I think that she has earned it. Anyhow, it is cooling down, so our electricity bills should drop soon too.
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Our maid's room is sandwiched between the maintenance room where the large air cond compressors generate alot of heat, and the laundry where it gets very hot with dehumidifier/dryer working alot. Her room has no window. I know she rarely uses the air cond but at least it is there when it is stifling in that small room with no fresh air.
Anyway this has somehow been sidetracked to how people treat their helpers - as is often the case on this forum. I was just looking for the cheapest/easiest option to give our helper the option of a television with more than the local channels.
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our maid's room is fairly small so we've tried to make it as comfortable as we could for her. we've given our maid a dvd player instead of cable access and i have also installed a separate phone line in her room - the phone line (local calls only) cost me an extra $30 per month which i think is extremely reasonable. it keeps my helper happy, and a happy helper means a much happier household.
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