Hope fulfilled

Kristina teaching a computer class

When I first met Kristina Zebua, I knew she'd fulfill God’s plan for Christian Action to help abused foreign domestic workers in Hong Kong receive justice. Over the last eight wonderful years, we have touched the lives of thousands of foreign domestic helpers!

Kristina was born and raised in Indonesia, but she came to Hong Kong to serve at our To Kwa Wan Service Centre and Shelter.  At this Centre we help foreign domestic workers whose dreams of a better future for themselves and the children they have left back home are destroyed by unscrupulous employers and employment agents.  Kristina is a qualified counselor, so at first we provided basic food, shelter and counseling.  Then we realised that we had a valuable opportunity to   equip these women for a brighter future while they waited around for their claims to be processed.  So we not only taught them their labour rights, we also introduced computer training and language classes.

The word spread, and Christian Action was overwhelmed by requests for weekend classes. Foreign domestic helpers in stable employment were also desperate to improve themselves. The To Kwa Wan Centre was much too small to respond to these demands, so we raised funds, expanded the programme and moved the classes to our headquarters in Choi Hung. Now, over three hundred domestic helpers attend classes every Sunday! Kristina has not only been the driving force in establishing this programme, she has also identified many additional opportunities to empower these women.

Foreign domestic helpers aim to return to their homes with a small nest egg, but Kristina and I long to see them go home equipped with the knowledge to start a business, or find meaningful employment opportunities. They can then afford to raise their own children, take hope into their communities, and pass on the values and skills they learned during their time with us.

Kristina is taking a break to refresh herself, as years of 'giving' have taken their toll. I'd like to again thank her, the Swiss based organization, 'Mission 21', and Tsung Tsin Mission of Hong Kong who blessed Christian Action with Kristina. Her service has helped fulfill their vision of establishing God's mission through church social action and education. For Christian Action, this was a perfect partnership!

We are also grateful to our wonderful volunteer instructors who help us keep costs down.

Your donations help us subsidise classes, so if you would like to help, you can donate now, or volunteer as an instructor.