REFUGEES & ASYLUM SEEKERS

There are over 14 000 refugees and asylum seekers in Hong Kong. Many come from places of conflict, persecution, and often are lost and destitute with nowhere to go to and no one to seek out. The average waiting period for a claim to be processed and considered from seeking asylum to refugee status is 7 years. During this process they are not allowed to work. Since 2014, only 138 refugees have been accepted by the government, meaning they are now eligible to be considered for resettlement by the United Nations. This 0.8% is far below the global average of 30%. However, in the torturous waiting, life continues. Here is one such family.

“I am from Pakistan. I leave my country alone. I got married in Hong Kong, my wife is from the Philippines. I have four children: two sons and two daughters. For 16 years, I’ve been in Hong Kong, nothing has change. The situation in Hong Kong is very hard. As a father, I am always thinking of my children’s future. So this is the big challenge, the education in Hong Kong.”

Because of your purchases, we are able to support charities that support refugees and asylum seekers. One such charity that we support is Branches of Hope’s Keeping Kids in Kindergarten program, the only education sponsorship program in Hong Kong that focuses on helping children of refugees and asylum seekers to go to school.