Aileen talks to Branches of Hope, a Hong Kong-based NGO providing support for refugees, asylum seekers and victims of human trafficking in Hong Kong

“For change to happen in society, we need to start with understanding and empathy,” says Alexander Pforte, Executive Director at Branches of Hope.

Aiming to restore dignity, justice and hope to the vulnerable and marginalised in Hong Kong, Branches of Hope have helped refugees, asylum seekers, and human trafficking survivors for over nine years.

Understanding and empathy is indeed a good start. Visiting their offices in Wan Chai, you instantly get a sense of the dedication and hard work they put into their cause.

“There are many ways a person can become trafficked, even if they arrived in Hong Kong through legitimate means,” shares Michelle Wong, Programme Manager at STOP (Stop Trafficking of People – one of the Branches of Hope initiatives). “Sexual abuse, debt bondage, mistreatment by employers... these are just some of the reasons someone might need assistance.”

Alexander explains that helping victims of trafficking is two-fold; the first aspect being protection. This includes crisis prevention, making sure the victim is safe, providing financial help, access to legal advice, and other vital means of support.

Second is prevention, which includes peer support, access to information through outreach programmes, and workshops (trauma-informed care).

With this approach, Branches of Hope ensures that their clients are given a holistic care programme, and the best chance of conquering their hardship.

Another Branches of Hope initiative is Refugee Opportunity and Development, or ROAD, which sees them working closely with partners to equip, educate, and empower refugees, to become positive and independent contributors to the community. Refugees and asylum seekers have many barriers to overcome. Not being able to legally work means they have to rely on government welfare; even something as basic as paying rent and buying food can be a challenge without a means of earning money. Not having basic needs met can chip away at one’s dignity and make it challenging to function as a productive member of society.

ROAD helps refugees and asylum seekers not only with financial assistance, but also with applying for permits that may allow them to work.

“We need to make sure they have shelter, food, and that they are safe,” says Niki Wong, Programme Manager of ROAD. The initiative aims to give hope and purpose to people who seek their help. Livelihood workshops, skills-based classes, language tutorials, and many more, seek to embolden and empower their clients and build their confidence.

“There are three pillars that Branches of Hope stand on: client care – where we have effective programmes that provide holistic and immediate care; client empowerment – where we build programmes that help refugees, asylum seekers, and victims of human trafficking, gain knowledge and skills and know their rights; and lastly, social reform – where we advocate for our clients and their community by raising awareness, and find constructive ways to talk with the government about policy,” says Alexander.

These pillars have served them well, as evidenced by some of their more high-profile cases last year, that involved several Hong Kong residents held by traffickers in Cambodia and Myanmar.

“We had to coordinate with government departments from each of the different countries involved, then when they [the trafficked individuals] returned to Hong Kong, we had to help them to get their cases recognised as trafficking cases, in order to get the appropriate help and support they needed from the government,” shares Michelle. “It wasn’t easy.”

Organisations like Branches of Hope mostly rely on the kindness of the community. Their many workshops are conducted by skilled volunteers who give time to teach; some people offer in-kind donations when there is a need, while others offer event spaces or donate equipment. There are also a number of professionals who offer their services pro-bono, such as legal advice and therapy.

“Helping others isn’t only through financial means or volunteering your time; sharing what we do here at Branches of Hope to your friends will also have an impact,” suggests Alexander. “Anyone can suddenly be a refugee. We can’t say what will happen to us, so it is always good to be good to others. Treat everyone with respect and dignity.”