What Does a Refugee Look Like?

Refugees in Hong Kong are little known, little understood, and barely acknowledged. They number around 10,000 people and they can't be easily identified. What does a refugee look like?

The truth is that refugees are no different to you and I. They are ordinary people, with very similar dreams and aspirations to ours. Unfortunately those dreams and aspirations are mostly 'placed on hold' once they arrive here. The support they receive is barely enough to sustain them.

John was a very successful businessman before coming to Hong Kong. He left his home in the Middle East because he is not a Muslim, and going to university and working in the open marketplace is impossible for him and his children. When John sold goods to his clients, they would 'cleanse' the items before taking them home because they considered the items to be unclean.

He was honest, but had to obtain false passports for his family because they couldn’t leave their home country on their own passports. Having successfully escaped, they were apprehended in Hong Kong airport while in transit to a European country. John and his family spent two weeks in prison at Hong Kong airport.

It has been almost three years since they arrived, yet they continue to wait for their case to be settled.  He feels that his case is clear cut: he is a non-Muslim born in a country that will not tolerate followers of other faiths. His daughter is a high academic achiever, and dreams of becoming a doctor one day. In three years she will be ready to go to university, but unless they are settled in a new country, her dreams will be placed on hold.

On June 19th we will be marking World Refugee Day (June 20th) at St. Andrews Church in Hong Kong. John will be sharing a bit more of his story, so please come along and hear - and meet - real refugees.

Other refugees will also share their stories and stage some entertaining performances.  Refugees include many talented people!  Please join me as we give them our recognition!