Nowadays, ethnic minorities form an important part of Hong Kong society. However, they still face many different integration problems. How to make ethnic minorities think that they are accepted as part of Hong Kong. This question is still not easy to answer.

Tauqir Ahmad, Project Officer of Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Lady MacLehose Centre, said “In the career employment or education, some of the non-Chinese may not be fairly treated. The impact is there may be stereotyping in their own mind, that the local society may not accept them.”

A survey conducted by The Hong Kong Council of Social Service in 2022 found that ethnic minorities are more likely to participate in race-based organizations. Only one-third of respondents participated in non-racially based organizations, and they are more likely to seek help from race-based organizations.

“So they live in their own comfort zone. Taking an example like Kwai Chung, it is one of the major communities for Pakistani population. They live in the same area. However, there are many other areas which are more developed with more opportunities. Why do they prefer to live together, maybe it could be one of the reasons.” Ahmad said.

Sponsored by Kadoorie Charitable Foundation, HKCSS works with Lady H.K.S.K.H. Lady MacLehose Centre and Yuen Long Town Hall, organizing “P.R.A.I.S.E. Project for Adaptation, Inclusion and Social Integration for Ethnic Minorities”. Hopefully in the long run, ethnic minorities are encouraged to bring change to the community to achieve integration.

“We have different projects for ethnic minorities and the local families. So maybe we can collaborate with each other, the both parties can help to sit in the same table. I think sports is the major thing for engaging both of the parties together, e.g. learn about cricket, we can invite the minority group to teach the local families. Let them play together.” Ahmad said.

In addition to promoting inclusion, providing support services for ethnic minority men is also one of the key focus of the PRAISE project because many of the ethnic minority men are married. As husbands and fathers, issues such as long working hours will affect their family life. “Sometimes I work until late. It makes me unable to see my children, so we talk less.”  Khan, service users of Pakistani, said.

“Fathers in Hong Kong, especially from the non-Chinese community, are very hard working. They have a huge responsibility. Maybe they are the main bread-winner of their families, they do not have enough time for themselves, no leisure activities, and always occupied by their family members or family responsibility.” Ahmad said.

The PRAISE project provides ethnic minority men with different services, including the father supporting groups. Besides providing opportunities to build mutual support and to share experiences, they are also encouraged to utilize their skills to help each other and the society. For example, Khan, as a man with good skill of interior decoration, joined the volunteer work to help the ethnic minorities and the local people in need fixing the home decoration.

“In some projects, I need to help fixing appliance or painting the wall. I am also working in this industry and said “It’s my pleasure”. If I have free time on Sunday, I will help. Islam also encourages us to help others. I will be happy if I can help others” Khan said.

Although in society, services and support for ethnic minorities are still not enough. But it did not hinder ethnic minorities from participating in society. The HKCSS survey also found that they are more active than the local Chinese in participating in blood donation. They are also active in donation stuffs and money, which share similar popularity as local Chinese. Joining volunteer work is the third popular activity they do after watching news and donation. Therefore, the PRAISE project will keep on encouraging the ethnic minorities and the local society to help each other, to facilitate social inclusion.

“It is impacting the society, I can see that once we finish all the volunteer works. The happiness inside is never be forgotten. It is something like spiritual happiness. You feel it inside.” Ahmad said.

Video Production: Fluid Production