Shatin House of RefugeShatin House of Refuge

Community

Hope

Haven

www.shatinplus.blogspot.com 

Who are Asylum Seekers?Who are Asylum Seekers?  

The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) stated that in The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) stated that in April 2006 there were 1473 asylum seekers in April 2006 there were 1473 asylum seekers in Hong Kong. These asylum seekers leave their Hong Kong. These asylum seekers leave their country due to persecution and flee to Hong country due to persecution and flee to Hong Kong where they await resettlement in a third Kong where they await resettlement in a third country.country.

Asylum seekers face many hardships in Hong Asylum seekers face many hardships in Hong Kong because they are prohibited from working. Kong because they are prohibited from working. The application process to another country can The application process to another country can take several years. During those years of take several years. During those years of waiting even basic survival can be a challenge. waiting even basic survival can be a challenge.

  

Galant and Johnny, cousins from the Galant and Johnny, cousins from the Congo currently living in the Shatin Congo currently living in the Shatin

House of RefugeHouse of Refuge  

Hope in ShatinHope in Shatin  

High on the 28th floor of High on the 28th floor of Garden Rivera apartment, in Garden Rivera apartment, in the humble 365 square foot the humble 365 square foot apartment hope can be found apartment hope can be found for refugees while in Hong for refugees while in Hong Kong. Hope comes not only in Kong. Hope comes not only in the form of physical shelter, the form of physical shelter, but also through the but also through the involvement of the family– like involvement of the family– like community of the PLUS group community of the PLUS group in Shatin. in Shatin.

The PLUS group is an The PLUS group is an extension of the Vine Christian extension of the Vine Christian Fellowship in HK and seeks to Fellowship in HK and seeks to share the love of Jesus with share the love of Jesus with the House of Refuge residents the House of Refuge residents through fellowship, English through fellowship, English lessons, prayer, and practical lessons, prayer, and practical support. support.

  

My help comes from you!My help comes from you!The view from the House of The view from the House of

Refuge window reveals Refuge window reveals the Shatin cross nestled the Shatin cross nestled in the hills. We pray as in the hills. We pray as asylum seekers come asylum seekers come through the house that through the house that they wil be reminded of they wil be reminded of Psalm 121, Psalm 121, ““I lift my eyes I lift my eyes to the hills- where does to the hills- where does my help come from? My my help come from? My help comes from the help comes from the Lord, the Maker of Lord, the Maker of heaven and earthheaven and earth.”.”

How can I help?How can I help?   We are looking for partners to help We are looking for partners to help

provide for the basic needs of the provide for the basic needs of the asylum seekers. This includes monthly asylum seekers. This includes monthly rent and food. We need to raise HK rent and food. We need to raise HK $4200 ($550 US) to cover the living $4200 ($550 US) to cover the living expenses and an additional $800 ($100 expenses and an additional $800 ($100 US) for food is needed. If you live in HK US) for food is needed. If you live in HK and would like to volunteer your time and would like to volunteer your time the guys would like to develop their the guys would like to develop their english skills, learn to cook, or simply english skills, learn to cook, or simply develop a friendship. Please email Jason develop a friendship. Please email Jason and Christine at and Christine at jasonchristine17@gmail.comjasonchristine17@gmail.com