HONG KONG (SE): The Caritas Asian Migrant Workers Social Service Project hosted the Foreign Domestic Workers Green Cultural Festival, Sunday Vibes 2.0, on March 2 at Wong Tai Sin Square. Following the success of its inaugural edition last year, this year’s festival spotlighted the vital role of foreign domestic workers in waste management under the theme Power Up Green Vibes.
The opening ceremony, conducted in multiple languages to promote inclusivity, showcased a globe crafted from over 800 upcycled plastic bottle caps by foreign domestic workers. Decorative flowers made from shopping bags and straws, symbolising creativity and environmental responsibility complemented the display.
Seventeen dedicated members of the Go Green Volunteers—an environmental group formed by foreign domestic workers and Caritas social workers—received certificates of appreciation from Wong Wai-man, head of Green Outreach and Smart Recycling of the Environmental Protection Department.
Over the past years, these volunteers have devoted their Sundays to collecting waste, delivering recyclables to collection stations, and promoting the Environmental Protection Department’s mobile app through street booths.
Among the honourees was Nora Malojo, who logged 66 hours of service in 2024. A volunteer for over two years, Malojo shared her journey from collecting cans for sale to now managing over nine categories of recyclables.
She also ensures that her employer’s household waste is properly sorted and delivered to recycling stations. Despite her efforts, she acknowledged the ongoing challenges posed by pollution and climate change.
“Hong Kong is a beautiful place. Its name in Chinese means ‘Fragrant Harbour.’ Let’s work together to keep it clean—not only for today but for future generations,” said Malojo, who has lived in Hong Kong for 27 years and enjoys hiking in the city’s mountains. She urged everyone to embrace the four R’s: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Recover.
Carmen Lee, director of the Social Work Service Division of Caritas Hong Kong, expressed gratitude to all participants, noting that the festival aimed to foster creativity in waste management and promote mutual respect between foreign domestic workers, employers, and the wider public, countering negative stereotypes.
Sister Corazon Demetillo, director of the Diocesan Pastoral Centre for Migrants, along with Equal Opportunities Officer Devi Novianti and Conservancy Association director Yan Wah-tat, presented certificates to the volunteers. Jose Angelo Manuel, vice consul of the Philippine Consulate General, praised the opportunity for Filipino domestic workers to raise environmental awareness, while Tantri Darmastuti, vice consul for labour of the Indonesian Consulate General, highlighted the role of domestic workers in reducing household food waste.
The festival featured performances, workshops, and information booths promoting proper recycling practices and recognising the contributions of foreign domestic workers. Members of the Diocesan Pastoral Centre for Migrants, dressed in earth-themed T-shirts, performed a dance choreographed by Lourdes Fuentespina, conveying a message of healing for the land.
The event underscored the invaluable contributions of foreign domestic workers to Hong Kong’s environmental sustainability, reinforcing the importance of collective action in caring for creation.
