Social News
Written by: Huang Yongyu
2019-12-02 00:00
Last updated: 2019-12-02 00:06The 42-year-old Robert and the 37-year-old Nadine came to Hong Kong for 17 years. Although their skin color is different from that of the local Chinese, they have already integrated into Hong Kong. The three children were born and raised in Hong Kong. They spoke Cantonese and wrote Chinese. Robert smiled, and the neighborhoods of Mui Wo witnessed their growth.
When I first came to Hong Kong, my life was extremely tight. Three meals were a daily problem. Some strangers took the initiative to help and delivered lunch to the family for a whole year, making them memorable.
After 17 years of waiting, they received news in early November that they were approved by the Canadian government to reside as individual immigrants, and parting soon, Robert said that although he left, his heart was still tied to Hong Kong people.
Robert (left) and Nadine (right) fled from their hometown of Cameroon to Hong Kong due to the political crisis in 2002, entering their 17th year this year. (Photo by Huang Yongyu)
Free lunch at strangers in the market
Robert and Nadine fled from their hometown of Cameroon to Hong Kong due to the political crisis in 2002. Robert remembers that when he arrived in Hong Kong, he was stranded at the airport for two days, and his wife fell ill and was taken to the hospital. The hospital nurse took him to the United Nations office for help, and a family was referred to the temporary residence of the International Social Service after being referred.
Although the residence has been resolved, three meals have become a daily problem. Robert said with a smile, "Learning Chinese is because I went to the market to ask for food." Robert, who was living in Yau Ma Tei at the time, took the responsibility of caring for his wife and children. He would go to the market to "run wild food" every day. "There will be a lot of leftovers at 7 pm, and there will be different discarded ingredients on the ground at 2 am. Many stall owners are willing to give us food. I know the numbers and dates because the shop owner will tell me when to get, How much to take. "
The two couples frankly met countless kind people in Hong Kong and did not ask for help in return. In 2005, Nadine was pregnant with a second child. The family lingered in the park. The only two-year-old son kept crying. A waiter from a nearby restaurant came forward to care about whether the child was hungry. Then he brought a lunch box. Robert recalled that it was difficult to hide his gratitude. "Mr. Wang is a complete stranger, but he gives us lunch every day for a full year until he dies." To thank him, Robert and Nadine used him Name for the second son.
Robert (first from right), Nadine (first from left) and three children will settle in Canada. (Photo by Huang Yongyu)
After receiving assistance from the International Social Service, the family's life has improved. Although they are still struggling, they always remind their children to be grateful. Nadine said that taking care of the three children is not easy. They see that their peers have ample pocket money, participate in different extracurricular activities, and sometimes ask for it. The couple will explain well, "Not because I don't want it, but I can't. They will explain the real situation. Thank you for your existing accommodation and enough food. "
As a non-repatriation claimant, the family has waited for 17 years in Hong Kong. Due to their identity issues, they cannot work and earn money. Robert also frankly feels helpless: "Many people will ask why you don't go to work? How to maintain your life?" They were in early November. I have received news that the Canadian government has approved the residence as an individual immigrant and will leave Hong Kong on Thursday. Robert hopes to return to his hometown profession and work in the electrical industry.
The family has lived in Mui Wo for nearly 13 years. Robert laughed and said that his neighbors had witnessed the three children growing up, and showed them pictures of their daughters from time to time. (Photo by Huang Yongyu)
The three children grew up in Hong Kong when they were young. They spoke Cantonese and written Chinese, and especially loved Chinese food. When they talked about them, they were like many treasures, and they said various kinds of food: snacks, siu mai, Xiaolongbao. All three said that they were reluctant to accept classmates and now take the time to say goodbye to friends.
Gillian AWGUL, the assistant regional manager of the Hong Kong International Social Service, who has been assisting the Robert family, said that 10,000 non-repatriation claims have been made for institutional services, but the success rate of the Robert family's transfer to other countries is rare. Parting soon, the family wanted to thank the Hong Kong people most. Robert said that he spent most of his life in Hong Kong and encountered different personnel. He believed that the Hong Kong people were full of kindness and hope. Although they left, their hearts were still tied to the Hong Kong people.
Assistant Regional Manager Gillian AWGUL has been following the Roberts' family and has advertised very few non-repatriation claims for successful transfers to other countries. (Photo by Huang Yongyu)
[Exemption from repatriation claim] Liang Meifen: Maintaining the status quo, it is impossible for the group to deny the right to appeal during the appeal period
[Exemption from repatriation claim] Applicants waiting for judicial review permit authority to amend regulations may be removed as required
Non-repatriation claim in Cameroon, Canada