more than 60 different countries,
including the Congo, Sri Lanka
and the Central African Republic,
with the majority from South Asia.
Because the group is diverse, it’s
impossible to give the average time
to process a claim. For example, a
Somalian may be processed more
“quickly” – possibly in two to four
years – because of the evidence on
record about that country. Hong
Kong’s systems are based on the
process taking six months, but it never
does; it’s always longer… much longer.
No right to work
Whilst their claim is being dealt with,
refugees can’t work; they can only
wait. CA-CKMSC would like the
Government to improve and speed up
the process, or at least let people work.
This is unlikely, as the Government
is apparently worried about “opening
the floodgates”, even though most
refugees only come here because it is
safe and relatively easy to reach, and
not because of career opportunities or
pursuits.
The issue of work has been in
the press recently after three refugees
and one torture claimant raised a
legal challenge against the ban on
them, and others like them, from
employment. In February, Hong
Kong’s Court of Final Appeal rejected
the claim, determining that no
constitutional right to work existed
in their favour. Notably, the four
claimants have been here for between
nine and 13 years. Julee regrets that
some people are pushed into working
illegally, despite the risks and dangers,
just to get by.
Educating the kids
Thankfully, since the 2007/2008
school year, the Government has
allowed refugee kids to enrol in
school, if space is available. Most
kids attend school, which parents
see as a priority. But, given that a lot
of education costs are passed on to
families, payment of fees is a big issue,
from kindergarten through to high
school. Refugee and asylum seeking
families can apply for financial
assistance from the Student Financial
Assistance Agency (SFAA); however,
the SFAA only gives partial support.
Beyond that, CA-CKMSC helps with
uniforms, gym clothes, shoes and
miscellaneous administration costs.
Right now, Julee says they’re
helping 85 children from more
than ten different countries with
additional education costs, which
equates to around $700,000 per
year. They receive monthly grants
from the Centre (via the charity’s
sponsorship programme), and monies
from foundations, churches and other
organisations. Julee doesn’t know how
many kids here are presently seeking
protection, but she knows her charity
can’t help them all – they’ve a long
waiting list of needy families.
How you can help
Sadly, refugees must continue to
live in limbo whilst their claims
are slowly processed. Thankfully,
there are various ways in which
we can help:
Sponsor: You can support the
charity directly through CA-
CKMSC’s Education Sponsorship
Programme. The money donated
stays in Hong Kong and donors
can even specify the direction of
their donation. Contact CA-CKMSC
at
.
Volunteer: CA-CKMSC is looking
for people to help with a
homework club every Monday
and Saturday. Volunteers don’t
have to be teachers, provided they
have a good command of English.
The charity is continually seeking
qualified counsellors, either
psychologists or psychiatrists.
Finally, a musician or composer
is needed to lead a musical
programme. Contact CA-CKMSC
at
.
Lobby: Engage with the
coalition for the provision of
free kindergarten care in Hong
Kong and advocate for this to
benefit our community. The
Government has established a
Committee on Free Kindergarten
Education to compile a set of
recommendations. Learn more at:
.
May 2014
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