HONG KONG (SE): “I always say Hong Kong is a second home to me because, outside of my country, Hong Kong opened the door for me,” said Congolese asylum seeker, Janet [not her real name], during a “Kitchen for Friends” gathering organised by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul at Sing Yin Secondary School on March 29.
The society introduced the “Kitchen for Friends” initiative in 2024. The programme features cuisines and cultural presentations from asylum seekers and refugees, allowing them to promote the unique cultures of their home countries and foster friendships with the local community.
Having woken up at 3:00am that morning, Janet prepared traditional foods like black-eyed beans, fufu, beef with sauce, and popcorn with peanut butter.
The 37-year-old mother of two also shared insights about her hometown, Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, where people speak French and Swahili. She described the colourful cotton robes—called Liputa—worn by women, and highlighted the Virunga National Park—one of the world’s most biodiverse treasures that attract many visitors with its gorillas.
Speaking to the Sunday Examiner, Janet recounted her journey since arriving in Hong Kong in 2010. She has consistently received support from the society which has assisted her with various needs since she met them at St. Peter and Paul Church, Yuen Long in 2013.
I always say Hong Kong is a second home to me because, outside of my country, Hong Kong opened the door for me
This includes help with school transportation, uniforms for her daughters, and regular home visits providing clothing and food coupons. Sometimes, they even take them to different areas in Hong Kong, offering a valuable opportunity for her children to explore.
She expressed gratitude for the emotional and spiritual support provided by members of the society, who show genuine concern for her life in Hong Kong during their visits.
As a Protestant, she is also thankful for the support of her church community, the Vine Church in Wanchai, as well as other charitable organisations that play an invaluable role for refugees lacking adequate assistance.
“Our Lord just asks us to help people in need. So, they are all doing this. It’s very important,” she said.
Despite earlier feelings of isolation, she now considers Hong Kong her second home due to the support she’s received and the friends she has made.
She has been living with her husband and two daughters, aged 8 and 14, who have studied hard in school to learn Chinese to integrate into Hong Kong society. They are now able to speak Cantonese to buy their daily necessities.
Our Lord just asks us to help people in need. So, they are all doing this. It’s very important
Janet
She believes it is important for asylum seekers or refugees to reach out to make friends and connect with different people to gain community support. “In the beginning, we didn’t know what to do or where to start. You don’t have anything to eat or a house to stay in. Things are very hard. But over time, with the assistance of different charities, we overcame,” she said.
The gathering was attended by around 40 people, including spiritual advisor of the society, Deacon Vincent Chan Lok-wang, president of the Hong Kong Central Council of the society, Ellis Suen Hon-wah, members of the society, a representative from International Social Services Hong Kong Branch, and priests and sisters concerned about the welfare of the asylum seekers and refugees.
Joseph Lau, a member of the society who visits the family and other refugee families from Africa, said that in the past decade, he has seen a number of successful applications to go overseas.
He feels joyful whenever he sees a refugee family leaving Hong Kong.
He could see that although they can live in Hong Kong with subsidies, they lack purpose in life as they have no identity and are not allowed to work.
Sacred Heart Father Adi Purnama Susanti, who visited the family with the society in January and February, said he appreciates the family for always remaining joyful in Christ and he understands their dream for a better life.
Good Shepherd Sister Corazon Demetillo, on behalf of the Pastoral Care for Asylum Seekers and Refugees shared about the plan of the diocesan group to reach out to more Catholic groups serving asylum seekers and refugees in Hong Kong, and later to other non-government organisations so as to render better service.
The group will organise a fun day for refugee and asylum seeker families at Wan Yan College, Kowloon, on July 26.
