Behind Ms Naveed’s desk sits a rack full of colourful bags, each unique and intricately handwoven by the women in the programme.
“Whenever we sell these products that they make, they do get a little bit of allowance from all these classes, and they can go home and buy something for themselves,” she said.
“You can imagine how expensive Hong Kong is. When we give them the money for their hard work, they feel like they’ve earned something.”
Mr Girimana, who was a trained lawyer in Burundi, has now taken on the role of community partnerships officer at the Justice Centre Hong Kong.
He rallies a team of volunteers, who are also refugees, to lead a food distribution drive at Kowloon Union Church every week.
“A good deed is never wasted, so being here, not being able to help my family, I was really motivated by that principle. So let me give my strength and my time to people in need,” he said.
“I know one day there will be somebody who will be helping my family as well, so that’s what motivates me.”
REFUGEE CHILDREN’S SCHOOL WOES
Those who flee to Hong Kong with their children face another problem: The children are not allowed to go to school as they have no legal right to remain in the city.
Once they reach the school-going age of six, the Immigration Department may consider their school applications on a case-by-case basis.
From 2021 to end-January this year, a majority – 573 – of about 660 placement requests were approved.
One such young asylum seeker, Adrian (not his real name), fled South Asia with his family when he was six years old.
Despite his illegal status, he could attend school with permission from the Immigration Department. His family’s non-refoulement claims have yet to be substantiated after 16 years.
Adrian eventually managed to get the funding and qualifications to enrol in university, where he studies health sciences.
However, unlike his peers, he cannot take on internships, which is increasingly a criterion to graduate under most tertiary programmes.
Adrian told CNA that without internships under his belt, he cannot offer proof to future employers of any accomplishments in his field – if he can even find an employer willing to take him on.
On the bright side, some colleges have exercised flexibility, and allowed refugee students to take on more research papers and work with their professors.
One such institution that made adjustments was Hong Kong Baptist University, which admitted two refugee students over the last five years. Its academic registrar Sally Ching told CNA that teachers can consider asking such students to work on projects under the supervision of faculty members.
