Why Does She Do It?

Falguni Mather is not your typical volunteer. Over the past ten years she has spent over 500 hours serving the refugees at our Centre for Refugees (CFR). I asked Falguni “Why do you do it?” and she was kind enough to share her unique story:

My life’s credo is that experience is not what happens to you, the incidents in your life; experience is what you do with what happens to you. We all face adversity on different levels, and how we respond makes all the difference.

My mother’s family arrived in India as refugees from Pakistan when she was a little girl. I grew up hearing stories about their move and resettlement, including the land and possessions they had to leave behind. Our culture is rife with tales of people fleeing their native land in search of safety. My grandparents’ initial adjustment to life in their new nation could not have been an easy one. Sacrifices were made, and obstacles faced in a foreign country.

Stories of journeys and people fascinate me. I have always been interested in people, curious about personalities and what makes people tick. Later in my life when my children were still young but more independent, it seemed appropriate to go back and finish what I’d started at university, a degree in psychology - so I decided to pursue a Masters in Counselling. It led to me working with the refugee population in Hong Kong. I feel a connection with their struggles, albeit indirectly, because of my grandparents’ journey. Even though I have a private practice, I am passionate about working with this group of people and devote many hours a week to pro bono services.

When I think about my family history, it resonates with why I feel so driven to work with refugees here in Hong Kong. The country is different, but the story is the same, one of human displacement for survival. The tenacity of some of CFR’s clients to navigate life and move forward despite all odds is tremendously inspiring and motivating. Many sometimes assume that the refugees are learning a lot from me, but in reality, I am learning more from them than they are from me when I work with CFR clients.

Falguni’s service is an inspiration to us all. Please join in and try volunteering - or click here to donate.

Every donation, no matter how small, makes a difference in the lives of those we serve.

Thank you!
Siew Mei