August Roundup
Oct 5th, 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, including our advocacy work, community outreach, and fundraising efforts. We hope this roundup offers a comprehensive 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 organisation, 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 organisation 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 5 August, we were delighted to have volunteers from the YMCA of Hong Kong Youth Council organise an outing for children in Yuen Long. Thank you so much for thinking about us.
From 7 to 9 August, we were grateful to have volunteers from Minisport offer outdoor activities for children in the park. Minisport is a sports-based company that focuses on introducing sports to all children in Hong Kong. We played four different sports, including football, basketball, tennis, and rugby, catering to kids aged 1.5 – 9.
On 12 August, we were honoured to have the volunteers from the YMCA of Hong Kong Youth Council once again invite some of our children to the Hong Kong Heritage Museum and Shatin Park where they had loads of fun.
On 25 August, we were excited to welcome back our former intern, Sally, who organised an art class for the children. We all had a great time!
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 distributed to refugees.
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 welcome to contact us by email at info@refugeeunion.org or visit our centre during office hours (Mondays to Saturdays, 10 am-6 pm).
July Roundup
Aug 4th, 2023 | Advocacy | 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, including our advocacy work, community outreach, and fundraising efforts. We hope this roundup offers a comprehensive 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 organisation, 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 organisation 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 3 July, we were delighted to collaborate with Luuna, who will be helping us to raise funds with several schools.
On 8 July, we thanked Edward for organising an “Everything can be a painting” class for our children, who enjoyed learning about art in life.
On 21 July, we were excited to have our former intern, Sally, arrange an arts and crafts project for our children using old newspaper and magazine photos. We are always grateful for any help offered to our young ones.
On 24 July, we were thrilled to announce that we have moved to a bigger office. It’s the same address and the same floor, just a bigger unit (2B), right in front of the lifts. This way, you cannot miss the Refugee Union when you visit. Thank you to all the volunteers for your hard work today.
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 distributed to refugees.
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 welcome to contact us by email at info@refugeeunion.org or visit our centre during office hours (Mondays to Saturdays, 10 am-6 pm).
June Roundup
Jul 2nd, 2023 | Advocacy | 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, including our advocacy work, community outreach, and fundraising efforts. We hope this roundup offers a comprehensive 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 organisation, 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 organisation 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 12 June, we were delighted to welcome the talented Adele from the Chinese International School, who will be assisting us with our social media throughout the summer.
On 16 June, we were pleased to greet PhD candidates Dave and Ayomide from Nigeria, who are currently studying at Lingnan University. They are researching acculturation strategies and social relationships of refugees in Hong Kong.
On 23 June, we were thrilled to welcome the inspirational Cici Fan and colleagues from ARCH Education, who will be designing study programmes for our older children. With over 500 children of all ages registered at the Refugee Union, any support is always greatly appreciated.
On 24 June, we expressed our gratitude to Charlene and Melissa from Hong Kong International School, who performed an enchanting dance for us in the afternoon.
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 distributed to refugees.
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 welcome to contact us by email at info@refugeeunion.org or visit our centre during office hours (Mondays to Saturdays, 10 am-6 pm).
May Roundup
Jun 8th, 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, including our advocacy work, community outreach, and fundraising efforts. We hope this roundup offers a comprehensive 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 organisation, 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 organisation 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 11 May, we were grateful to our friends at Grassroots Future who provided a venue for our members to gather and learn new skills. It is important to keep ourselves busy, as refugees are not allowed to work.
On 13 May, we welcomed Sophie and Jasmine from ESF Sha Tin College, who arranged English and Cantonese classes for our children.
On 19 May, we were so excited to have Matthew, Anita, and Michelle from Hong Kong International School organise a jewellery-making class at the centre for our members. We all enjoyed the class.
On 20 May, we were thankful to James and Kyle from Chinese International School for offering a sustainability class for our children.
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 centre 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 centre during office hours (Mondays to Saturdays, 10 am-6 pm).
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
