Archive
SCMP: Hong Kong should empower its young refugees with better education and support
Jun 6th, 2023 | Advocacy | Comment
April Roundup
Apr 30th, 2023 | Monthly Roundup | Comment
Welcome to the Refugee Union’s monthly roundup! We’re excited to share our latest updates and developments as we continue advocating for the rights and well-being of refugees in Hong Kong. This edition highlights key events from the past month. We hope this roundup offers an overview of our work and inspires you to join our mission to create a more just and equitable society for all.
About Us
The Refugee Union is a community-based organization, established in 2014 by refugees in Hong Kong. Our mission is to promote and protect the rights of refugees through advocacy, education, and community building. We work to empower refugees to become self-sufficient and active participants in the community, while also advocating for policy changes that support their rights and well-being. Our organization is run by refugees and for refugees.
Activities at a Glance
On April 1, we were thrilled to have Melinda and friends from the German Swiss International School Hong Kong organize an Easter egg decoration workshop for refugee kids.
On April 12, we were delighted to have volunteers from the Chinese International School arrange sports and outdoor activities for refugee kids at Victoria Park.
On April 28, we were grateful to Simon and Andrew of Ascent Partners, who invited our Chairwoman Namagembe Adella to introduce the Refugee Union after a financial presentation. We appreciate every opportunity to advocate for refugees in Hong Kong and raise awareness.
Giving is a Blessing
This month, we received a wide range of useful item donations. We would like to express our gratitude to those who have lent a helping hand. Your support means a lot to us, and we ensure all items received are delivered to refugees.
Please continue to support our center and stay tuned to our website and social media pages (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter) for updated information. You are also welcome to contact us by email at info@refugeeunion.org or visit our center during office hours (Mondays to Saturdays, 10 am-6 pm).
Help the Refugee Union fundraise through your network
Apr 22nd, 2023 | Advocacy | Comment
We are grateful for the support of Simply Giving and excited to deploy their fundraising tools. We appreciate that our donor base is our strength and wish to leverage “peer-to-peer” fundraising to broaden our services and make them more sustainable and consistent through the year.
If you are reading this post, then you know about the Refugee Union and hopefully believe that what we do is meaningful both for our members and for Hong Kong at large. If the government offered adequate support, then our humanitarian efforts would be less impactful, but we all know the truth.
Our objective is to leverage crowdfunding into a community effort that will support more refugee families. Since we started online fundraising, we have been blessed by the generous support of hundreds of donors. The challenge is: How can we expand our donor base through broader networks?
Simply Giving offer an easy-to-deploy fundraising toolkit that will amplify the collective effort. Your story is important to appeal to friends and colleagues who will help. By setting achievable targets we can develop “peer-to-peer” fundraising by individuals, pairs, groups of friends and corporate teams. We lead by example, so tell your friends why you care about the Refugee Union’s mission.
The next step is the most important: reach out and send the fundraising link to at least 15-20 people that are most likely to take action. You can send personal emails, WhatsApp messages and post on social media to kickstart your campaign. Your social media network is a great place to raise awareness.
Thank you for your support!
Click here to download the “Fundraising Toolkit”!
Give Hope to Refugee Moms and their Little Ones
Apr 19th, 2023 | Advocacy | Comment
Dear compassionate supporters,
親愛的支持者，
We need your help. As you read this, refugee mothers with young babies in our community are suffering and turning to us for help. They have no source of income and are unable to work due to their legal status. They are struggling to provide basic necessities and to make ends meet. It is a heartbreaking situation that no one should have to face.
我們需要您的幫忙。在您閱讀這篇文章的時候，我們社區裡的難民婦女和她們年幼的孩子正在承受痛苦，尋求我們的協助。難民沒有收入，也不能工作。這是一個令人心碎的畫面，沒有人應該面對這種情況。
More than 50 mothers with babies have approached the Refugee Union for assistance. We understand that the love of a mother for her child is immeasurable, but even the most dedicated and loving mothers cannot provide for their children without access to basic necessities such as baby formula, diapers, clothes as well as hygiene and healthcare items.
超過50位育有嬰兒的難民婦女向本會尋求協助。我們明白母親對孩子的愛是無法衡量的，但即使是最敬業和慈愛的母親，在沒有嬰兒配方奶粉、尿墊、衣物以及衛生和醫療用品等生活必需品的情況下，也無法照顧好孩子。
This is why we are launching this fundraising campaign to provide essential support to mothers with babies in the asylum community. With your help, we can ensure that these families have access to the basic resources they need to survive. Your support will make a difference in their lives and help alleviate some of the stress and hardships they are facing.
這正是我們發起這項籌款活動的原因，為難民婦女和年幼的孩子提供必要的支援。在您的幫助下，我們可以確保難民家庭能獲得他們生活所需的物資。您的支持將改善難民社群的生活，抒援他們生活上面臨的巨大壓力。
We understand that times are tough, but we urge you to consider the impact that your donation could have. Even a small amount can go a long way toward providing these mothers with the support they need. So please, open your hearts and help us make a difference. We cannot do it without your generosity and compassion.
我們明白時局艱難，但我們懇請您伸出援手。您的支持對難民社群非常重要。即使是一小筆金額，也能改善難民社群的生活。
Your support of our fundraising campaign is just one way that you can help. We encourage you to spread the word about the Refugee Union and the vital services we offer. Share our campaign on social media, talk to your friends and family, and encourage others to extend their support.
除了捐款以外，我們亦鼓勵您向身邊的人分享本會提供的服務，例如在社交媒體上分享我們的活動，與您的家人和朋友分享難民的狀況，並鼓勵他們伸出援手。
Thank you for your support and know that your kindness and generosity are truly appreciated.
我們衷心感謝您的支持。
Click to donate: Give Hope to Refugee Moms and their Little Ones
MARCH ROUNDUP
Apr 11th, 2023 | Monthly Roundup | Comment
Welcome to the monthly roundup of the Refugee Union. We are delighted to share with you our latest updates and developments in our ongoing efforts to advocate for the rights and well-being of refugees in Hong Kong. In this edition, we will be highlighting some of the key events that have taken place over the past month, including our advocacy work, community outreach, and fundraising efforts. We hope that this roundup will provide you with a comprehensive overview of our work and inspire you to join us in our mission to create a more just and equitable society for all.
ABOUT US
The Refugee Union is a community-based organization established in 2014 by refugees in Hong Kong. Our mission is to promote and protect the rights of refugees through advocacy, education, and community building. We work to empower refugees to become self-sufficient and active participants in their communities while also advocating for policy changes that support their rights and well-being. Our organization is run by refugees, for refugees, and we are dedicated to creating a more just and equitable society for all.
ACTIVITIES AT A GLANCE
On March 1st and 7th, we would like to express our gratitude to the students of the Chinese International School for taking our children to Victoria Park to engage in games and physical activities.
On March 4th, our thanks go to Birthday Happiness Asia for organizing a birthday celebration for refugee families.
On March 7th, we appreciate prenatal specialist Ishka from The Family Zone for coordinating a workshop tailored to refugee mothers and their babies.
On March 18th, we were grateful for Valerie and her friends, who organized a creative and enjoyable art session for our children during the afternoon.
On March 25th, Riley and friends from the German Swiss International School Hong Kong provided our children with their first guitar lesson. Later that day, students from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (University YMCA) facilitated a fun arts and crafts activity.
On March 29th, we welcomed students from The University of Hong Kong’s “Globalisation and Migration” course, who interviewed our members. We are thankful for their time and effort, as their work will raise awareness about the challenges faced by refugees and contribute to the community’s understanding of these issues.
On March 30th, our interns Alan, Sally, and Terry—students from Hong Kong Shue Yan University—dedicated their time and energy to preparing games for our mothers and children. They are eager to learn first-hand about the refugee community in Hong Kong.
GIVING IS A BLESSING
This month, we received donations of a wide range of useful items. We would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to those who lend us a helping hand. Your support means a lot to us, and we deliver all items we receive to refugees.
Please continue to support our center and stay tuned to our website and social media pages (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter) for updated information. You are also welcome to contact us by email at info@refugeeunion.org or visit our center during office hours (Mondays to Saturdays, 10 am-6 pm).
Hong Kong asylum seekers face bureaucratic maze and deportation under tightened policy
Mar 27th, 2023 | Advocacy | Comment
‘People are losing hope’: New policy sparks fear among Hong Kong’s asylum seekers
Mar 25th, 2023 | Advocacy | Comment
South China Morning Post – A revised law in Hong Kong has sparked fear among the estimated 14,800 asylum seekers and refugees who live in the city. Introduced in December 2022, the new policy allows immigration authorities to remove unsuccessful claimants from the city before they can exhaust legal pathways to challenge the decision. The government says the move was necessary to crack down on claimants abusing the judicial review process to prolong their stay in Hong Kong. Human rights lawyers allege the changes infringe on the rights of asylum seekers, while NGOs and community leaders say they are seeing a surge in the number of claimants seeking psychological help.
FEBRUARY ROUNDUP
Mar 17th, 2023 | Advocacy | Comment
Welcome to the monthly roundup of the Refugee Union. We are delighted to share with you our latest updates and developments in our ongoing efforts to advocate for the rights and well-being of refugees in Hong Kong. In this edition, we will be highlighting some of the key events that have taken place over the past month, including our advocacy work, community outreach, and fundraising efforts. We hope that this roundup will provide you with a comprehensive overview of our work and inspire you to join us in our mission to create a more just and equitable society for all.
ABOUT US
The Refugee Union is a community-based organization established in 2014 by refugees in Hong Kong. Our mission is to promote and protect the rights of refugees through advocacy, education, and community building. We work to empower refugees to become self-sufficient and active participants in their communities while also advocating for policy changes that support their rights and well-being. Our organization is run by refugees, for refugees, and we are dedicated to creating a more just and equitable society for all.
ACTIVITIES AT A GLANCE
On February 4th, a student from ESF Discovery College set up a website for fellow students to exchange letters with refugees to share experiences and cultivate friendships. Thank you for bringing this meaningful initiative to the attention of your peers.
On February 6th, we were honored to gather with Simon Mak and Dr. Bo Zhou of Ascent Partners, as well as Andrew Woo and colleagues of Antech Solutions, to brainstorm broader support for refugees.
On February 10th, we were invited by the YMCA Christian Academy to share our lived experiences as refugees with teachers and students. We were also honored to visit ESF West Island School, Hong Kong International School, and ESF Glenealy School later this month to give a presentation for teachers and students. We would also like to thank them for arranging donation campaigns for our refugee members.
On February 11th, we were grateful to Michelle of the Hong Kong International School Heritage for organizing an art class for refugee children. The artwork will be turned into NFTs and fundraised for refugees. Thank you very much!
On February 13th, we were delighted to have Erin and Andrea of Don’t Throw Me visit our center. We have been nominated as one of the beneficiaries of their platform to swap, sell, donate, and breathe new life into clothes and other goods. We also thank Take Out Plastic for hosting a clothes swap campaign and donating clothes to our refugee members.
On February 14th, we welcomed Clayton, a journalism student, who interviewed and took photos of our refugee members with a view to publish a booklet about refugees in Hong Kong and the services we provide to support them.
On February 17th, we were delighted to have our student interns from Hong Kong Shue Yan University patiently teach refugee children to finish homework. Thanks also go to students from the University of Hong Kong who gave a tutorial session for refugee children later this month.
On February 20th, we were thrilled to announce the establishment of a partnership with Wee Bean. We were also thankful for their sales initiative to support refugee children. Please visit their website for more details.
GIVING IS A BLESSING
This month, we received donations of a wide range of useful items. We would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to those who lend us a helping hand. Your support means a lot to us, and we deliver all items we receive to refugees.
Please continue to support our center and stay tuned to our website and social media pages (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter) for updated information. You are also welcome to contact us by email at info@refugeeunion.org or visit our center during office hours (Mondays to Saturdays, 10 am-6 pm).
JANUARY ROUNDUP 一月回顧
Feb 14th, 2023 | Monthly Roundup | Comment
Prepared by our Student Interns, Terry Chow, Sally Leung and Alan Yip (in alphabetical order), from the Department of Sociology of Hong Kong Shue Yan University.
由香港樹仁大學社會學系的學生實習生Terry Chow、Sally Leung和Alan Yip（按字母順序排列）編寫。
Out with the old, in with the new. This month marks the opening of 2023. In a brand new year, we are thrilled to see kind-hearted people continue to visit our centre, sending us donations and organising activities for our members. This piece reviews the major activities that happened at our centre in the past month.
本月象徵送舊迎新。新的一年，本會的辨公室洋溢著新春佳節的歡欣氣息。善心人士一如既往捐贈有用物資予難民家庭，同時亦為他們舉辦活動。本篇將總結過去一個月於本會舉辦的主要活動。
ABOUT US 關於我們
Refugee Union, founded in 2014, is Hong Kong’s only refugee-led organisation. We have over 3,000 members from 52 countries. Currently, our centre is based in Sheung Wan. We work with visions to safeguard refugee rights and improve the situation of refugees in Hong Kong.
難民聯會成立於2014年，是本港唯一由難民領導的組織。本會現有超過3,000名會員，他們來自52個國家和地區。本會現址位於上環。自成立以來，本會一直致力保障難民權益和改善他們的生活狀況。
ACTIVITIES AT A GLANCE 活動一覽
Sharing at School Assembly 學校早會分享
On 13 and 18 January, we have had the honour to be invited by the Man Kiu Association
Primary School and DSC International School to give a sharing during the assembly on the lived experience of refugees in Hong Kong and how we are helping them. These are important initiatives to raise awareness.
本會有幸於1月13和18日分別到訪閩僑小學和香港德思齊加拿大國際學校與師生分享難民在香港的生活狀況以及本會為他們提供的服務，藉此提高社會對難民狀況的關注。
Celebrating Lunar New Year 慶祝農曆新年
On 13 January, volunteers visited our centre and taught our members to write ‘fai chun’ to celebrate Lunar New Year. Wishing all of you ‘dreams come true’ and ‘prosperity and wealth’ in the Year of Rabbit.
1月13日，義工到訪本會並教授難民寫揮春慶祝農曆新年，祝各位兔年「心想事成」、「大吉大利」。
Knitting Workshop 針織工作坊
On 26 January, volunteers from our partner organisation, Grassroots Future, organised a knitting workshop for our members who are ladies. Ladies are grateful for this opportunity to learn with fun.
1月26日，本會的合作夥伴Grassroots Future到訪並為難民婦女舉辦針織工作坊，寓學習於娛樂。
Pet Visit 寵物探訪
Our centre is pet-friendly. On 28 January, we welcomed a volunteer who brought her puppy Inky to our centre. Kids were overjoyed!
1月28日，善心人士帶同寵物犬Inky到訪本會，孩子們欣喜若狂。
GIVING IS A BLESSING 施比受更有福
This month we received donations of wide-ranging useful items. We would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to those who lend us a helping hand. Your support means a lot to us. We deliver all items we received to refugees.
過去一個月，本會獲善心人士捐贈各種有用物資。本會對此衷心感謝，並承諾將收集到的物資全數送到難民手中。
Please continue to support our centre and stay tuned to our website and social media pages (Facebook, Instagram and Twitter) for updated information. You are also welcomed to contact us by email at info@refugeeunion.org or visit our centre during office hours (Mondays to Saturdays, 10am-6pm).
請繼續關注本會的網站和社交媒體專頁 (Facebook、Instagram、Twitter) 以獲取本會發布的最新資訊，亦歡迎各位以電郵 (info@refugeeunion.org) 形式聯絡本會或親臨到訪 (辦公時間為星期一至六上午10時至下午6時)。
DECEMBER ROUNDUP 十二月回顧
Jan 5th, 2023 | Advocacy | Comment
This month marked the end of the year 2022. In this festive season, our centre was filled with beautiful wishes: refugee families received cash and necessities from donors; volunteers organised celebration activities for us. This piece reviews the major activities that happened at our centre over the month.
本月標誌着2022年的終結。在佳節，本會的辦公室充滿了美好的祝福：善心人士捐贈現金和必需品援助難民家庭，有的為他們舉辦慶祝活動。本篇回顧了過去一個月於本會舉辦的主要活動。
ABOUT US 關於我們
Refugee Union, founded in 2014, is Hong Kong’s only refugee-led organisation. We have over 3,000 members from 52 countries. Currently, our centre is based in Sheung Wan. We work with visions to safeguard refugee rights and improve the situation of refugees in Hong Kong.
難民聯會成立於2014年，是本港唯一由難民組成和領導的團體。本會現有超過3,000名會員，他們來自52個國家和地區。本會現址位於上環。自成立以來，本會一直致力保障難民權益和改善本地難民社群的待遇。
CHRISTMAS WISHES 聖誕祝福
On 15 December, we were thrilled to have Warner Music sending refugee kids amazing Christmas gifts and talented students from the Hong Kong International School Heritage singing carols for us at our centre.
12月15日，本會很高興Warner Music為難民孩子送上聖誕禮物，以及Hong Kong International School Heritage的學生到訪頌唱聖詩。
On 16 December, we were grateful to our friends at the ESF Beacon Hill School for organising a big charity collection for refugee families during Christmas holiday. Thanks also go to Vanessa and Sylvie of the German Swiss International School Hong Kong for delivering refugee kids a creative Christmas ornament workshop.
12月16日，本會衷心感謝合作夥伴ESF Beacon Hill School於聖誕假期發起了一項大型慈善收集活動，為難民家庭送上祝福。另感謝German Swiss International School Hong Kong的學生Vanessa和Sylvie為難民孩子舉辦創意聖誕飾物工作坊。
On 21 December, Eaton Workshop invited refugee families (30 parents and 32 children) to a Christmas buffet. It was an opportunity for refugee families to forget their troubles and have a great time together. Thank you very much!
12月21日，本會非常感謝Eaton Workshop邀請難民家庭 (包括30名家長和32名孩子) 享用聖誕自助餐，讓他們暫時忘卻煩憂，於佳節享受天倫之樂。
GIVING IS A BLESSING 施比受更有福
This month we received donations of wide-ranging useful items. We would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to those who lend us a helping hand. Your support means a lot to us. We deliver all items we received to refugees.
過去一個月，本會獲善心人士捐贈各種有用物資。本會對此表示衷心感謝，並承諾將收集到的物資全數送到難民手中。
Please continue to support our centre and stay tuned to our website and social media pages (Facebook, Instagram and Twitter) for updated information. You are also welcomed to contact us by email at info@refugeeunion.org or visit our centre during office hours (Mondays to Saturdays, 10am-6pm).
請繼續關注本會的網站和社交媒體專頁 (Facebook、Instagram、Twitter) 以獲取本會發布的最新資訊，亦歡迎各位以電郵 (info@refugeeunion.org) 形式聯絡本會或親臨到訪 (辦公時間為星期一至六上午十時至下午六時)。