3654_South Asia Migrant Ministry in Hong Kong

By Fr. Dolphie Sequeira, SDB

Massive migration is one of the most impressive signs of our times. Also around Greater China domestic or international migration is on the rise. Also in the prevalent Chinese society of Hong Kong is growing the presence of immigrants or permanent residents from all around the world. Even the Catholic diocese of Hong Kong claims more almost 100.000 non-Chinese believers.

Most of the South Asian minority groups belong to the lower socioeconomic strata, although many of them were born and raised in Hong Kong. Their total population is about 42.000 or 11% of the ethnic minority groups. The majority of them believe in Hinduism, Islam and Sikhism. Their countries of origin are Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan or India. Community or social services for these communities are not adequate and especially the youth and women are the most underprivileged. Many of them are in search of work, but find themselves in difficult situations as they do not have the qualifications of skills to claim proper employment.

The Province of China wanted to see if they could do something for them with the help of Salesians from India. Thanks to initial mediation by the Councilor for the Missions in 2012, the province of Chennai answered in very positive way. After an initiative of Fr. Peter Newberry sponsored by the China SDB Provincial and his council, in early 2013 arrived to Hong Kong two Indian Salesians, Fr. Dolphie Sequiera and Fr. Amala Vinoth for a three-month study of the situation of the South Asian immigrant youth at risk there. Since November 2013 Fr. Dolphie is a member of St. Louis Community, Pok-Fu-Lam Road in Western Hong Kong.

“I'm Fr Dolphie Sequeira, I am from India and belong to the Province of Chennai (St Thomas). Two years ago myself and Fr. Vinoth were invited to Hong Kong to conduct a  basic research about the South Asian youth. After this initial stage the China province accepted the research and agreed to support the South Asian Youth Services. Hence, I opted to help out in this work for the Salesian province of China and arrived on 16th November, 2013. I’m based in the St.Louis School community with 12 confreres of eight different nationalities.”

At present the major activities of South Asia Youth Services are:

1. Eucharist for South Asian Catholic community on the first Sunday of every month. After the Mass there is a sharing, games or Gospel movies and recollection.
2. Oratory in Tung Chung (Lantau island, near the Hong Kong airport). Based in one Catholic primary school, about fifty South Asian teenagers come every Sunday. Animated by the Salesian Cooperators and some young animators
3. Seminars and Camps for Schools with many migrant youth (eg. Sir Ellis Kadoori, Caritas Tuen Mun Maradon foundation)
4. Youth swimming in Hong Kong (Kennedy Town) and Lan Tau (Tung Chung)
5. Hip hopt training for teenagers
6. Tution classes for South Asians in Cantonese language, Mathematics and English class
7. Youth Camps at Don Bosco Youth Center in Cheng Chau island
8. Tamil language tutions in Wah Tan College for some 130 school children
9. Outreach work for the young in the streets

“The Province of China was  helpful to establish this mission among the South Asians. Fr. Provincial and his council on one hand and our community of St. Louis, especially Fr Peter Newbery and Fr. Jojo Garcia are very supportive. My main funding is from Don Bosco Charity and Salesian province. Above this I totally believe in Divine Providence. I would like to give thanks for all persons who are encouraging me for all these initiatives taken for and with the poor migrants South Asian Youth.”

New frontiers of migration are just starting. The Salesians in Hong Kong have twelve schools. In one secondary school located in New Territories, one third of the population is of Pakistani origin and the students are assisted by some Urdu speaking teaching staff. Probably in the future more and more families and youth will be moving out of their countries of origin. Like the first Salesians in Argentina in 1875, also today the sons of Don Bosco strive to journey together with the migrant, when possible. Also Fr. Dolphie is praying that one more Indian confrere will join him soon in this not-so-easy but very meaningful mission.