Louren Skrywer wanted a better life. She took a job as a house worker at the Namibian embassy in America. Her boss would be Julia Imene-Chanduru, a top Namibian diplomat.
The job seemed great at first. They promised her N$54,000 each month. But things turned bad fast. Skrywer says she only received N$2,700 monthly after she arrived in 2007.
She decided to fight back. In 2021, she went to court in Maryland. She said Imene-Chanduru made her work against her will and took her passport. The case made Namibia's leaders step in to protect their diplomats.
The story gets more complex. Imene-Chanduru might become the next foreign minister. But these claims could hurt her chances.
Skrywer tells a sad tale. She worked as Imene-Chanduru's nanny in Washington from 2007 to 2011. She says her family served Imene-Chanduru's family for many years with little pay.
The court case moves forward. The Maryland Court said no to throwing out the case. They ruled that Imene-Chanduru can't use diplomatic protection to avoid the lawsuit.
Skrywer got help from America. They gave her a special permit for people who escaped modern slavery. But Imene-Chanduru's lawyers say Skrywer won't share important papers about her status.
The daily work was hard. Skrywer says she worked 18 hours each day, all week long. She watched the child, cleaned the house, and helped at parties. She even had to watch other kids in the embassy basement during big events.
Imene-Chanduru stays quiet about the details. She says she can't talk because the case isn't over, but she believes she'll win. Her husband says they have helped Skrywer since 2011 and denies doing anything wrong.
The case continues. Both sides wait for the court to decide what is true and what is fair.
The job seemed great at first. They promised her N$54,000 each month. But things turned bad fast. Skrywer says she only received N$2,700 monthly after she arrived in 2007.
She decided to fight back. In 2021, she went to court in Maryland. She said Imene-Chanduru made her work against her will and took her passport. The case made Namibia's leaders step in to protect their diplomats.
The story gets more complex. Imene-Chanduru might become the next foreign minister. But these claims could hurt her chances.
Skrywer tells a sad tale. She worked as Imene-Chanduru's nanny in Washington from 2007 to 2011. She says her family served Imene-Chanduru's family for many years with little pay.
The court case moves forward. The Maryland Court said no to throwing out the case. They ruled that Imene-Chanduru can't use diplomatic protection to avoid the lawsuit.
Skrywer got help from America. They gave her a special permit for people who escaped modern slavery. But Imene-Chanduru's lawyers say Skrywer won't share important papers about her status.
The daily work was hard. Skrywer says she worked 18 hours each day, all week long. She watched the child, cleaned the house, and helped at parties. She even had to watch other kids in the embassy basement during big events.
Imene-Chanduru stays quiet about the details. She says she can't talk because the case isn't over, but she believes she'll win. Her husband says they have helped Skrywer since 2011 and denies doing anything wrong.
The case continues. Both sides wait for the court to decide what is true and what is fair.
