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| Bethune's Edwina Antonio thanks supporters at the Dara fundraiser |
Hong Kong never
fails to come across as a caring and compassionate society, especially at the
most critical times. This was what the staff and clients of the Bethune House
Migrant Women’s Shelter found out, after they sent out an SOS (Save our
Shelter) appeal in September this year.
Bethune’s
executive director Edwina Antonio said then that the shelter was on the brink
of closing down because two funding grants failed to materialize as expected.
In her appeal which was first published in The SUN, Antonio said Bethune House
needed to raise $1 million before the end of the year, to ensure it remained
afloat.
Fast forward to
last Thursday, Dec. 19, when Antonio happily announced during yet another
fund-raiser for Bethune held at Dara Restaurant in Sai Ying Pun, that they
managed to hit the $1 million target well ahead of time.
“There are many
things to be thankful for; we already reached our $1M goal and you are all part
of its success. Let us give ourselves a round of applause,” said Antonio, whose
announcement was greeted with shouts of joy by some 100 guests at the charity
event.
By the end of
the evening, the Dara fundraiser which was co-organized by its owner Jiramae
and Bethune House volunteer Mara Arcilla, added more than $13,000 to the
ongoing campaign to keep the 38-year-old shelter continue with its advocacy of
providing a safe haven to distressed migrant workers.
The mostly young
crowd happily drank their way to filling the kitty for the shelter’s benefit,
while enjoying the outstanding performances by guest artists, including singers
and dancers from Hong Kong Disneyland as well as the Drag Queens, who all
performed gratis.
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| The Drag Queens who performed gratis, kept everyone happy |
Among those who
laughed to their hearts’ content, or relived some of their miserable
experiences in Hong Kong during the more solemn parts of the show, were about a dozen Bethune
clients staying in its Sheung Wan shelter.
In her speech,
Antonio said Bethune manages two shelters, the one in Sheung Wan and another in Jordan. The two places have a
combined bed capacity of 22, but most nights, she said they cater to more, averaging
between 45 and 50 clients each month.
Apart from free
food and lodging, the women at the shelter also get medical and emergency
assistance, like when they are thrown out of their employers’ houses in the
middle of the night, or they need help going to court or filing complaints.
The shelter also
adopts a comprehensive program that includes training on mental wellness, life
and work balance, financial management, and additional skills like first aid,
looking after the elderly or young children, computer lessons, as well as
rights education.
“Our services are
empowering; we transform victims into survivors so they can serve better once they resume
their work,” said Antonio.
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| Antonio (in purple) with some of Bethune's lifelong supporters |
One of their
most recent success stories was a client who stayed at the shelter for more
than a year while battling a criminal case. She went home on the day of the fundraiser, after
she was cleared of all charges.
Antonio said
that on the day the distraught worker sought their help in October 2023, she would
have slept in the park if she was not taken in by Bethune House.
Yet, despite its
sterling record of providing help to some of the most vulnerable sectors in
Hong Kong society for nearly four decades, Bethune continues to struggle with finances.
“The reality is that there
are not many funding opportunities available from foundations and agencies for
causes like ours,” said Antonio.
Bethune House is not funded
by the government or any financial institution, and relies solely on private
donations to keep it going.
“When we started the appeal in early
September, we were worried as we only had two months to ensure that
the shelter’s doors remained open. Yet, we were hopeful at the same time. We held on
to our trust that the community would not abandon these distressed Asian
migrant women,” said Antonio in her speech.
Luckily, big media groups like
the South China Morning Post and Hong Kong Free Press took an interest in
Bethune’s appeal for support, and in no time, various individuals and groups
like the Kuok group of companies, came knocking at their door with offers of
help.
Migrant organizations also
rallied around Bethune House, organizing charity walks, dances and other
activities to help raise funds for the shelter.
While the fresh infusion of
funds helps ensure it remains open until at least the end of the year, Bethune
House needs a steady stream of donation from the public to keep it running.
Thus, Antonio asked if it
was possible for people to give regularly, be it monthly, quarterly or even
yearly, to ensure Bethune House gets to pay for its institutional needs, such as rent,
utilities, and provisions for both client and staff.
“By supporting Bethune House, you are supporting and
caring for these women migrants who relieve more
than 400 thousand families from household chores, (as well as) elderly and child care, so
we can improve our standard of living,” she said.
In the meantime, the shelter
would like to show gratitude for the help it received widely and hastily, by throwing
a Christmas and thanksgiving party at Kowloon Union Church on December 24. The event
is open to the public, particularly to those who have lent a hand in keeping it
afloat.
To
donate to Bethune House, you may do the following:
•
To support online: https://donorbox.org/bh-raise-the-roof
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By Direct Deposit to The Bethune House
Migrant Women’s Refuge Limited account at Hang Seng Bank 284-8-241309 or HSBC
808-312649-292
•
By cheque Payable to The Bethune House
Migrant Women’s Refuge, Ltd. All cash donations of HK$100 and above are tax
deductible. (Donors are encouraged to give regularly through bank autopay)
*By
transfer through Alipay using the QR Code below:
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