From Fragility to Empowerment through Philanthropy: The Filipino Labor Migrant Community in Israel During COVID-19

Lockdown in response to the spread of COVID-19 is a challenging period for migrant laborers. This study used a mixed-methods approach to explore how a community of Filipino migrants working as live-in caregivers in Israel coped with the lockdown. Philanthropy for Filipinos in need in Israel and back home was found to be an effective coping mechanism. While lockdown conditions increased the fragility of the marginalized migrant workers, their ability to donate funds empowered them at both individual and communal levels. Developing a donor identity reinforced their sense of belonging to the Filipino community in Israel and back home.