A Refugee Advocates for Refugees

I recently met Raya when I visited the Centre for Refugees (CFR). She had survived the Rwandan genocide, which took the lives of her family and friends. She had suffered political persecution in her home country before seeking refuge. She arrived in Hong Kong nine years ago. Raya is a recent staff member of our newly renovated CFR!

Despite all the difficulties of discrimination and stigmatisation that Raya had faced as an African refugee, she is positive, loving and headstrong. She is now a vital leader of the Women’s Group and Community Outreach team. Since 2013, she has given talks about the refugee experience. Her eight years of experience as a CFR volunteer is invaluable. Raya is the perfect fit for this staff position.

“Without refugees standing up for themselves and explaining what they need, no one will know. Those of us who have been refugees must speak out about the suffering of refugees. We are not asking for hand-outs of money. What we do need is access to education, so I take opportunities to explain our needs and I ask for support. It’s not always easy to speak, but we have to do it.”

Raya also plays an important role in CFR’s Women’s Group. She creates an atmosphere where every woman can release their burdens and worries. It gives them a chance to leave the house for a few hours, to dance, to eat, and to chat with others about life and not just matters about refugees. Raya hopes they find solidarity in the group and that it gives them hope to go on.

In June, Raya recently organised refugees to perform at a concert for World Refugee Day. She also prepared a meal for 40 guests at a community outreach event called “Kitchen Away from Home.”

I am thankful that God brought such a strong and motivating woman to Christian Action. She contributes to the ethnic harmony at CFR. Because Raya has experienced so many hardships, she relates to other refugees and advocates for them. We are very excited to see what Raya will do next in her new role as Community Outreach Officer at CFR!