Collaboration with The Hong Kong Society for Asylum Seekers & Refugees
On World Refugee Day, Chatteris’ own Olivia Roberson talks through one of our community partnerships that supports asylum seekers and refugees in Hong Kong…
Working with Chatteris is much more than just teaching in a school or campus. As an education NGO, we are passionate about cultural exchange experiences, and there are a number of other opportunities outside of school to get involved with.
One of the wider community activities that I have always found immensely rewarding are the storytelling sessions with refugees and asylum seekers.
On the last Saturday of every month, Chatteris tutors travel to Yuen Long in the western New Territories of Hong Kong to run interactive storytelling sessions with children and mothers of the Hong Kong Society for Asylum Seekers and Refugees (HKSASR).
HKSASR aims to promote the rights of refugees and asylum seekers and seeks to improve their conditions as much as possible. They provide support to asylum seekers and refugees from a variety of countries including Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Somalia.
Chatteris have collaborated with this society to deliver interactive storytelling sessions for just over four years, and sessions include big book reading, craft making, games, and lots of singing!
As Hong Kong is not a signatory on the United Nations 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, life as a refugee or an asylum seeker in Hong Kong is very difficult. They face many barriers to access basic needs such as adequate housing, education, and employment.
Through a collaboration with HKSASR, Chatteris tutors hope to help improve the lives of this vulnerable group of people and to continue the Chatteris mission of ensuring English is accessible to all.
Like Olivia, are you interested in teaching different groups of beneficiaries in Hong Kong? Click here to find out how you can join our team.