Frontiers Beyond Factories

Victoria Rotary Club funded a project in 1987 aimed at steering young refugees away from factories, and that became one of my first assignments through CA, then called Hong Kong Christian Aid to Refugees. Like those refugees, I too was in my twenties. This project won the Regional Rotary Community Project of the Year and the Rotarian in charge, Walter Buhler became my mentor until his passing in 1998.

There was a labour shortage and it was easy to find work in the factories, but those bright young Vietnamese refugees in Kai Tak Camp could easily pursue white collar work and therefore better opportunities on resettlement. All they needed was some coaching.

Sam happily found a hotel job

Teenagers with potential were given training in skills such as etiquette, basic English, and computing. I accompanied them to interviews and helped them find work in hotels and businesses, or as interns with Rotary Club members. One particular boy, Philip, showed tremendous potential. So we hired him to work on the programme during the liberalization of the closed camps. He later went to work for UNHCR as an interpreter.

I reconnect with Philip, and many other former refugees whenever I can. In my most recent vision sharing trip to North America, a large group of us met in Canada, and enjoyed exchanging stories covering the 20 years since the last Vietnamese refugee left Hong Kong.

I am always encouraged when I see how much our philosophy has impacted them. Philip eventually became a renovation contractor. Christina bought her own salon. Ben manages a Vietnamese noodle chain. Carmen is an accomplished manicurist, Alex is a top security consultant, and Gilbert a motorcar mechanic operating from his own shop. As those former refugees spoke about how their children are no different to Canadians, I rejoice that the effort we made so long ago has improved the lives of more than one generation.

We still serve refugees in Hong Kong, come and join us to impact future generations of the world.