The SUN HK : NGOs join migrant workers in welcoming Christmas

Joyous singing of Christmas carols at the Christmas eve party hosted by MFMW and Bethune House

The days before Christmas were marked by various activities organized by the Mission for Migrant Workers and its shelter, the Bethune House Migrant Women’s Refuge, for migrant domestic workers in Hong Kong.

The activities were highlighted by a Christmas eve party hosted by the two charity organizations for its migrant worker-clients, volunteers, supporters, and friends.

December 24 being a Sunday, a big number of migrants were able to attend the gathering where guests were encouraged to sing, play games, and extend Christmas cheer to each other. Home-cooked Filipino and Indonesian foods and hot drinks kept guests full and warm. Bethune House residents were also given gifts to bring a smile to their faces and ease their worries away.

On Christmas Day, the same group braved the chilly weather to gather in West Kowloon Park for an afternoon of food, games, and more fun. The gathering again helped cheer up migrant workers who were missing their loved ones on the special occasion.

Braving the chilly Christmas Day outdoors in West Kowloon Park

The activities were kicked off with a Give Care to Caregivers fair on the grounds of St John’s Cathedral on Garden Road. Almost a thousand migrant workers took advantage of the pampering services given them, including free massage, chiropractic and Chinese doctor’s consultations, acupuncture, as well as blood glucose and BMI testing.

There was also an information booth for those who wished to undertake short financial literacy and mental health awareness consultations.

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To add fun to the event, participants were encouraged to wear costumes and have their Christmas pictures taken at the Bank of America photo booth, and to write down their Christmas wishes and hang them on a Christmas tree to receive gifts. Many of those who took part in making a Christmas wish said all they wanted was good health or relief from sickness for themselves and their loved ones.

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Among those who joined the early Christmas celebration were MFMW board members Mary Yuen and Eman Villanueva.

Pinning their hopes on a Christmas tree

The event ended with a program where a posthumous award was presented to Mrs June Li, who was remembered for her generous help to the migrant workers community at St John’s Cathedral. On hand to receive the plaque was Mrs Li’s son, John, and Eunice, the domestic worker who took care of her.

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This was followed by the presentation of the six Happy Homes awardees for 2023 by MFMW’s community relations officer, Johannie Tong. The project aims to promote mutual understanding, respect and care between migrant workers and their employers.

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The gathering was capped with the awarding of certificates of appreciation to individuals and organizations that took part in the three-month long “Coins for Bethune House,” held annually as part of fund-raising efforts for the shelter which provides free accommodation and support to migrant women in distress.