 Reflections of Two Global Justice Volunteers Serving in Hong Kong |
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“If one member suffers, all suffer with it; if one member is honored,
all rejoice together with it.” Through the Global Justice Volunteers program of the Mission Volunteers Program Area, two young adults are currently serving in mission in Hong Kong. Erika Larson of South Colby, Washington, and Andee Cooper of Morrilton, Arkansas, are working with the Bethune House Migrant Women’s Refuge, a temporary shelter for migrant workers who are in distress. During their 2 1/2 months in Hong Kong, the Global Justice Volunteers provide a mission of accompaniment, standing with these women who are often vulnerable because they are “strangers in a foreign land.” The Global Justice Volunteers program is for young adults ages 18-25 who are interested in exploring the links between faith and justice. Both the Global Justice Volunteers Program and the Bethune House are supported by Women’s Division through undesignated giving. Below are reflections from Erika and Andee: • Hong Kong Reflections Part 1 Erika: “When Andee and I made our first visit to the Bethune House, we had some notion that we might be meeting a handful of women in their 30s, and helping them to file claims. However, when we got there we found that most of the women we would be working with were our age (18-26) and that in fact there were closer to 30 women living in the shelter . . . with a handful more coming to work on their cases during the day. Many of them haven't seen their families in years and some have even become grandmothers over the course of their stay here and haven't seen their new grandchildren. However, when you can make three times more as a “floor manager” (also called “domestic helper”) in Hong Kong than you could as a business manager in the Philippines, the benefit and opportunity to support your children - even if you can't see them grow up - sometimes outweighs the cost.” Andee: “I just wanted to update everyone on my extremely busy days ... but Sundays are when most of the women have their weekly rest day, and so, on Sundays there are thousands of domestic helpers enjoying their day off in the middle of Central Market. It's amazing to see the numbers, and truly sad to imagine that 7 out of 10 are somehow abused, mistreated, or underpaid.” Erika: “There is a lot of discrimination and racism in Hong Kong, just like many places around the world. It is something which I probably wouldn't notice as much if I weren't doing the work that I am involved in. It is unbelievable the kinds of challenges that these women face when coming up against immigration officers, police officers, members of the courts, and representatives from their employment agencies. Even if they speak English perfectly and approach someone respectfully they get nothing but the most blunt and generally rude and incomplete answer. This doesn't happen all the time, but it is definitely common enough for them to not be too thrown by the answer they get.” Andee: “ . . .I have to tell you about one of the girls that has a very heartbreaking story . . . One woman was beaten . . . by both her male and female employers every day for a year and a half. She finally was found unconscious one day and then her employer had the audacity to terminate her contract . . . She has a fractured skull and now goes into comas frequently throughout the day. She is living at the Bethune House (where I volunteer) until her mind and brain heals. Why would she stay so long under such incredible abuse? Part of the answer is that when these women come to Hong Kong, the agencies tell them that because they cannot speak English, they will be underpaid and should obey whatever their employer says. It's absolutely unbelievable what these women undergo in order to send money back to their families.” Erika: “Intimidation and manipulation seem to be the only forms of communication some of these employers are capable of when it comes to dealing these women, some who have worked for them for 2 years or more. . . I am still amazed at the strength of these women. They are thousands of miles away from the support of their families and things that are more familiar to them and, though often lacking a strong grasp on a language, they have to appear before the Labour Tribunal without any sort of legal representation.” Andee: “Some of the Indonesians taught me two dances last night at the Bethune House. They're not exactly the same kind of dancing I'm used to, but they are so much fun! I also got to teach them a dance. The only dance I could think of that would even halfway go with the music that was available . . . was the electric slide. Can you picture this? About 10 Indonesians and Filipinas and I were doing the electric slide (in the middle of the eating area at the shelter) to traditional Indonesian music. We were quite impressed with each other and the way each of us could shake our hips!!” Andee: “Here's another example of how corrupt the system is here: Immigration extended one woman's visa until tomorrow (June 22) and set her hearing for today (June 21.) I attended her hearing with her, to help explain things in English and just to be there to support her. The problem is that tomorrow is a statutory holiday - no offices are open - making it impossible for the woman to have her visa extended. On top of that she cannot extend her visa until her hearing is over. That means the woman has to go to court at 9:30 am today (which usually takes all day) and then somehow get to the Immigration Dept. by 3:00 pm so she won't be deported tomorrow, on the holiday. Again, that is nearly impossible. If she is unable to do it, she will have to forfeit her compensation - that is worth 2 years salary. They simply have made it as hard as possible for this woman to get an extension.” Erika: “There is such a feeling of solidarity and sisterhood here among the women and among the various organizations (including the Bethune House) that are largely run by domestic helpers to aid any members of the community who might be in need. I say 'sisterhood' carefully because it's not the 'let’s sit together in the afternoon and share our stories' kind of sisterhood but the 'let’s organize and mobilize and make a difference because we are all that we have while we are here' kind. The conviction of some of these women is amazing and their ability to stand up in the face of adversity when they might not be able to speak the language has been truly inspiring. Not every domestic helper is abused or assaulted or working in a bad situation; those who have had good experiences try to recommend their employers to others when their 2 year contracts are up. It is just one more way that they look out for each other.” Andee: “Well, I know you all carry on in your daily lives. Please know that I keep all of you in my daily prayers. I only wish that each of you could experience these things with me. Sometimes I meet the women I am working with on the train ride to their hearings. I am a stranger and yet they welcome my support. I pray that I give that vibe, that feeling, that I am truly not a stranger, and that I am someone who earnestly cares; it would take you back to know how much a smile changes everything.” The Women’s Division represents United Methodist Women, a
one-million member organization whose purpose is to foster spiritual growth,
develop leaders, and
advocate for justice. Members raise around $25 million a year for programs
and projects related to women, children, and youth in the United States and
in more than 100 countries around the world.
Date posted: Jul 08, 2004 |
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