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.

PRESS FOR DETAILS

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.

Pindutin para sa detalye

Pindutin para sa detalye

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.

I-CLICK DITO!

DETALYE

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.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

Pindutin para sa detalye

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.

PADALA NA!

PRESS FOR DETAILS

Mission for Migrant Workers call on charity draw winners to collect prizes

 

One of the big winners is young Seysey, shown here with his mom and Tess Aquino of the Mission

A MacBook Air computer topped the list of prizes handed out to winners of the Mission for Migrant Workers’ Charity Raffle Draw 2023, where the winning tickets were picked out on Dec 17.

PRESS FOR DETAILS

Pindutin para sa detalye

The other top prizes included a Samsung Galaxy Tab,  a staycation package for two, a Xiaomi phone, three-course executive lunch for two, a HK Disneyland entrance ticket awarded to two winners, plus supermarket vouchers.

Pindutin para sa detalye

I-CLICK DITO!

The winning ticket numbers are posted below. All winners are asked to collect their prizes on or before Jan. 31, 2024. Please call 2522 8264 before collecting your prize.

DETALYE

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

Prizes may be claimed in person or through an authorized representative at the MFMW office in St John’s Cathedral, 4-8 Garden Road, Central, Hong Kong.

Pindutin para sa detalye

Proceeds from the yearly charity raffle are used to support the Mission’s programs aimed at promoting migrant domestic workers’ physical and mental well-being, and empower them through skills training.

PADALA NA!

PRESS FOR DETAILS

Penalty set by law insufficient for Filipina’s crime

 

The principal magistrate said the prescribed penalty for the crime is insufficient

A Filipina may have thought that reporting to police a crime that never happened was a minor offense. After all, the Police Force Ordinance sets a maximum penalty of a fine of $2,000 and imprisonment of not more than six months.

Soledad Solomon, 54 years old and a resident, pleaded guilty at the Eastern Court today to the charge of making a false report of commission of an offense on Dec. 13, 2022.

PINDUTIN
PARA SA DETALYE

But Principal Magistrate Ivy Chui said Solomon’s offense was so serious that the penalty specified by the law is “not strong enough” as a deterrent to similar offenses in the future.

She said Solomon’s false report caused the police to waste so much time and resources that would have been spent more productively in fighting crime.

So instead of following the penalty schedule set by the ordinance, Magistrate Chui ordered reports done on Solomon by a probationary officer and a community service officer to determine the more appropriate punishment for her.

DETALYE

Court documents said Solomon went to the Wanchai Police Station on Arsenal Street to report to Detective Police Constable Tony Chan that someone entered their house in Moreton Terrace, Causeway Bay, and stole her bag containing $35,000 worth of foreign currency and $2,000 in Hong Kong bills.

She also told the police investigator that her son recovered the bag later from a garbage bin, but without the contents.

When investigators checked the CCTV at the lobby of the floor where their flat was located, the video footage showed only her and her son leaving and entering the flat the whole night.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

In mitigation, Solomon’s lawyer said she had a clear record and was remorseful.

He even presented a letter from her husband seeking a lenient sentence.

The lawyer suggested a fine be imposed on her.

Pindutin para sa detalye

But Magistrate Chui would have none of it and scheduled the next hearing for Jan. 18 to consider the reports she ordered.

She freed Solomon on bail of $2,000.

PADALA NA!

PRESS FOR DETAILS

Shoplifting fetches fine, bind-over for 2 DHs

 

Store where one of the thefts occurred (Google Maps photo)

A Filipino domestic helper was fined while another avoided penalty today as their shoplifting cases heard in different courts reached contrasting ends.

Gina Reyes, 48 years old, was fined $1,500 at Eastern Court after she pleaded guilty to theft, in violation of Section 9 of the Theft Ordinance.

PINDUTIN
PARA SA DETALYE

She admitted stealing six packs of chocolate with a total value of $184 last Dec. 17 from a Best Mart 360 store on Lee Garden Road in Causeway Bay.

She was caught when a security guard in plain clothes intercepted her after she left the store without paying for the items.

DETALYE

Since she would only be paid her salary during the first week of January, she asked to be given time to pay the fine. The request was granted; she was given one month to pay up.

In Kowloon City Court, on the other hand, the theft charge against Mary Jean Ulatan, 40 years old, was withdrawn after she agreed to be bound over for 12 months with special conditions.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

She would be penalized with $1,000 only if she reoffends.

Ulatan was charged with stealing one bottle of jam, one bottle of peanut butter, one can of Milo powdered drink, one bottle of honey and eight bars of soap.

Pindutin para sa detalye

The items were stolen last Nov. 3 at the Fusion Supermarket at Lok Fu Estate in Wong Tai Sin, Kowloon.

PADALA NA!

PRESS FOR DETAILS

Mental health support services for EMs, general public set up

Prof Lau (center) leads launch of the mental health support hotline

Two projects meant to provide mental health support to people in Hong Kong were announced by the government today, Dec. 27.

The first is the Mental Health Support Hotline that operates 24 hours a day, all-year round, and provides immediate counselling services to members of the public from all backgrounds and of all ages. It started operating today.

The second is the setting up of a service centre for members of the ethnic minorities who need emotional support and counselling services. The service centre located in Jordan will be operated on a trial basis starting tomorrow, Dec. 28.

PINDUTIN
PARA SA DETALYE

A multi-professional team comprising social workers, counsellors and support staff conversant in ethnic minority languages will support the service centre, which could also refer cases to other service platforms for additional support and/or treatment if needed.

Operated by the Zubin Mahtani Gidumal Foundation Limited, the service centre opens from 9am to 6pm from Monday to Friday but can provide counselling services beyond these hours when necessary.

DETALYE

Members of the public can call the centre hotline at 9682 3100 for information, or visit the website www.zubinfoundation.org/our-work/ethnic-minority-well-being-centre/ to learn more about the service centre.

Separately, the government today launched the "18111 - Mental Health Support Hotline" to provide one-stop, round-the-clock support for people with mental health needs, rendering them immediate mental health support and referral services.

At the kick-off ceremony, Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, said the round-the-clock mental health service provided for free by the government aims to render timely support to people who are in mental distress or with mental health needs.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

It aims to coordinate existing counselling services provided by the Government and about 20 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to assure speedy, and comprehensive mental support services to those who are in need.

The MHS hotline is manned by dedicated personnel answering the phone 24 hours a day, providing immediate support and counselling services to residents from all backgrounds and of all ages. Callers will also be referred to the most appropriate organisations depending on the nature of individual cases.

Pindutin para sa detalye

Professor Lo urged all those with mental health needs to immediately call 18111 and use the service to get immediate help. Family members or friends of those with mental health issues are also asked to encourage the afflicted to get support through the hotline.

"The Government has picked this easy-to-recall hotline number with special thoughts. Simply remember that the '18111 - Mental Health Support Hotline' attends to mental health needs 

PADALA NA!

PRESS FOR DETAILS

Warm weather until New Year’s eve seen

Clear weather promises sunny day tomorrow. (HKO photo)

The cold Christmas is past and the days leading up to the New Year are warming up, peaking on Sunday at 24 degree Celsius in the afternoon, to the Hong Kong Observatory.

The warm-up has been due to the inflow of humid air from east of Hong Kong, with its warmer winds making the days mild, HKO said.

PINDUTIN
PARA SA DETALYE

DETALYE

Mornings from Thursday to Sunday will thus be warmer, with the minimum temperature remaining at 18C and rising as the sun rises.

This bodes well for the fireworks display at Victoria harbor on New Year’s eve, with the clear sky ensuring visibility.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

Pindutin para sa detalye

However, by the mornng of the new year on Monday, the warm air flow will be pushed south and replaced by the colder northeast monsoon from northeast China, causing the temperature to  drop down to 16C.

The cold mornings will then prevail for the rest of the week.

PADALA NA!

PRESS FOR DETAILS

 

 

Church leaders spend Christmas saying mass in prisons

 

Cardinal Chow visiting patients at Stanley Prison hospital

Leaders of the Catholic and Anglican churches in Hong Kong spent Christmas day visiting persons in custody, including those who are in hospital.

PINDUTIN
PARA SA DETALYE

The Correctional Services Department arranged for the detainees to attend activities relating to their visits as part of traditional activities during the Christmas season.

DETALYE

Cardinal Stephen Chow, bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong, visited Stanley Prison and presided at a Christmas mass where he gave special blessings to the detainee.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

He was accompanied during his visit by the Deputy Commissioner of Correctional Services (Operations and Strategic Development), Ng Chiu-kok; the Correctional Services Chaplain, Deacon Edwin Ng; and Chief Superintendent Leung Chung-yin.

Rev. Andrew Chan saying mass in Pak Sha Wan prison

Earlier,  on Dec. 21, the Archbishop of Hong Kong, the Most Reverend Andrew Chan, presided at a Christmas service in Pak Sha Wan Correctional Institution on Dec. 21 to preach and share religious messages with the detainees there.

Pindutin para sa detalye

Through the CSD, a wide range of spiritual and social services are offered to detainees who wish to participate, regardless of their religious affiliation. The services include visits, teaching, counselling, religious worship and recreational activities. 

PADALA NA!

PRESS FOR DETAILS