HONG KONG — Bethune House Migrant Women’s Refuge, Hong Kong’s oldest shelter for distressed migrant women, has initiated a critical fundraising drive after expected grants failed to materialize, threatening its continued operation.
The shelter, which has been a lifeline for abused domestic workers since 1986, aims to raise HK$1 million (approximately US$128,000) through its “Save Our Shelter” campaign to ensure its doors remain open.
Edwina Antonio, executive director of Bethune House, revealed that the shelter had sought grants from various foundations, funding agencies, and church institutions, some of which had provided support in previous years. ASccording to Antonio they were invited to submit a proposal this year but unfortunately the application was not even shortlisted.
The shelter’s financial situation has become dire, with Antonio stating that they only have sufficient funds to operate for the next two months. In a statement released Thursday, she expressed concern about the shelter’s future and the fate of its residents.
Bethune House has been a crucial resource in Hong Kong for nearly four decades, providing shelter, food, financial and medical assistance, and case support to over 600 women annually. The shelter primarily serves domestic workers who have faced abuse from former employers, offering a safe haven and essential services to this vulnerable population.
As the fundraising campaign unfolds, the future of this vital institution hangs in the balance, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by organizations supporting migrant workers in one of Asia’s wealthiest cities.
