KWENTO: DESIGNING A MOBILE APPLICATION TO SUPPORT FAMILY STORYTELLING FOR DOMESTIC HELPERS IN SINGAPORE

Abstract

One of the most challenging aspects of being a migrant worker can be long separation from family members and the fear of becoming irrelevant and forgotten. The recording and sharing of stories with family members can be an important means by which migrant domestic can reaffirm and maintain bonds of connection and belonging. ICTs can play a role in facilitating this transnational storytelling however there is no prior research into ICT use to support family storytelling by migrant workers. To address this gap, we conducted a multi-method study with Filipino domestic helpers in Singapore. First, semi-structured interviews and digital photography used to better understand and communicate user needs. Research findings suggest two challenges faced by the participants: limited opportunities for family communication, and uncertainty about whether they had stories worth sharing. Using a participatory design approach we were able to design a mobile app Kwento that emerged directly from user needs and concerns. Kwento generates prompts that encourage users to reflect upon their personal experiences in ways that enhanced user ability to produce stories they wished to share.