What we do
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Vision First provides humanitarian services to UNHCR asylum-seekers and refugees already present in Hong Kong (SAR). With a view to finding local solutions to local issues, Vision First assists displaced and dispossessed persons — on behalf of the Hong Kong community. A cursory view clearly demonstrates that this challenge is too multifaceted for any one organization to handle effectively; Vision First strives to make a positive contribution, offering necessary services, as well as filling in present gaps and going beyond — by capacity-building with the community and this vulnerable population. Vision First provides basic needs such as food, shelter and medication, advocacy and psychological counseling, medical services and long-term accommodation, emergency assistance, vocational training as well as life skills.
Despite being among the most needy and vulnerable, Asylum seekers and Refugees frequently endure a maze of bureaucracy, blatant discrimination and racism throughout the resettlement process. In addition, the social assistance provided is piecemeal at best, with glaring gaps and overlapping services. The welfare and well-being of asylum-seekers and refugees in Hong Kong is therefore extremely hard to develop and maintain outside the NGO-Network. Members require resources to gain empowerment and confidence to integrate into society. Furthermore, the skills and knowledge they obtain in Hong Kong during the Refugee Status Determination (RSD) process will enhance their options after resettlement or repatriation.
Vision First is actively engaged in linking all available resources and strives to secure partnerships with the Hong Kong community. The NGO-Network integrates services, promotes the sharing of resources and pairs competencies. Specialized expertise within the established network will enable Vision First to deliver high quality services to an underrepresented population.
Vision First Programs
As an independent not-for-profit organization, Vision First (VF) does not receive government funding. We rely entirely on volunteers and donations from our generous community to run programs to serve the Asylum Seeker& Refugee (AS&R) community.
We need your support to enable the expansion of our programs, to relieve the struggle of AS&R in desperate situations. VF operates with no overhead expenses, even our newly opened centre is fully funded by a private donor. With a passionate team of volunteers who donate their time, expertise and personal resources, we pledge to employ 100% of your donation directly to the AS&Rs who need it most.
| Child Sponsorship Program: |
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| The aim of this program is to enable a stable environment for children. VF matches private sponsors with AS&R families. This form of sponsorship offers valuable assistance in a time of great need. A $1000 monthly donation is guaranteed to be spent on appropriate needs such as cooking oil, bills, food, children’s clothes, medicine, detergent, lunch boxes, and transport. As a sponsor, you will receive quarterly updates and an invitation to meet the family you sponsor. | |
| Housing Program: |
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| One of the first problems to solve for new arrivals is accommodation. The VF Housing Program offers emergency accommodation at our own shelter. This vital service provides a safe, clean, temporary place to stay until members receive rental assistance from International Social Services (ISS).Once ISS rental assistance is secured, VF helps find safe, clean, long term housing solutions by negotiating rental prices, funding deposits, contributing to utility bills and arranging maintenance and furnishings. | |
| Family Financial Assistance: |
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| This program offers essential relief to cashless AS&R households. VF case workers assess the needs of each family unit and distribute cash for transport, food, water, clothing, medicine and other necessities on a monthly basis. | |
| Clothing Program: |
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| VF coordinates clothing donations from the Hong Kong community. However, during the colder months, VF also purchases warm clothing such as shoes, jackets and blankets to distribute to members. | |
| Food Program: |
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| The VF Food Program supports those who cannot support themselves and currently provides hot meals to over 100 AS&Rs on a weekly basis. AS&Rs must rely on charity meal services to supplement the free government food provisions. VF has partnered with a local restaurant to fill this gap in the public food service. The VF Food Program has the additional bonus of giving members the right to choose their own meal. This simple freedom is greatly appreciated by our members who have been stripped of their liberties due to their dire situation. | |
| Education Support Program: |
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| Education is one of the main services VF provides to members. VF helps children between the ages of 5 and 14 to find schools and provides financial assistance for textbooks, uniforms, transportation, excursions and homework support classes. VF also works together with International and ESF schools in Hong Kong to provide school placements that nurture, support and care for the particular needs of AS&R children by providing scholarships and sponsorship.For adolescents and adults, VF offers vocational training programs in I.T, SME management, cooking, sewing, English language, interview and life management skills. Classes are held at the VF Centre and at other educational institutions. |  |
| Minor’s Support Group: |
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| Unaccompanied minors are young adolescent men and women who have arrived in Hong Kong with no immediate family or guardianship. This group of AS&Rs gather once a week in a warm, friendly, family-like environment. They participate in activities such as movie nights, theatre, live music, art & craft, photography and computer courses. TheMinor’s Support Group allows adolescent members to seek guidance and support from our facilitators and share and learn from one another. | |
| HealthProgram: |
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| VF assists AS&Rs access medical services and advocates for their rights to ensure they are treated fairly for new and existing medical issues within the public system. Advocacy helps bridge cultural and language barriers that exist between our members and local medical staff and facilitates clear communication and accurate diagnosis. Common ailments faced by this population included diabetes, gastrointestinal issues, severe headaches and chronic fatigue. The Health Program provides optometrist appointments and eyeglasses. VF has partnered with Hong Kong University Dentistry Faculty to provide much needed dental treatment to members. VF’s private doctors deliver medical consultations, advice and treatment to registered VF members. |
 Access to clinics is made possible with Vision First |
| Mental Health Program: |
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| Most asylum seekers and refugees who arrive in Hong Kong have experienced some form of physical and/ or psychological trauma. This can include torture and/or the loss of family members to violence, disease or poverty. These experiences can naturally cause a person to have difficulty sleeping, nightmares, feelings of fear and anxiety, sadness, hopelessness, grief, and pain. Vision First offers Mental Health Services to asylum seekers and refugees that
The vital services of our Mental Health Program include
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| Sports Program: |
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| VF collaborates with members to coordinate monthly football matches. Our members organize the logistics and their own teams while VF funds the cost of transportation to and from the venue, and provides water, snacks uniforms and equipment. We plan to expand this program to include women’s sports with future funding and volunteer support. | |
| Public Awareness Program: |
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| VF raises public awareness of the plight of AS&Rs. Public understanding is primarily driven by negative media reports and negative public sentiment towards AS&Rs is a precursor to isolating the already vulnerable AS&R community.VF builds awareness through public education. Fundraising events, gallery exhibition benefits and school visits all help highlight VF’s mission and the plight of AS&Rs, reminding us that AS&Rs are simply ‘ordinary people in extraordinary situations’. Through public awareness, VF aims to encourage the community to support the integration of AS&Rs in Hong Kong through personal involvement in VF programs.Previous events have included:
14th Sept 2010: The “Hong Kong Asylum Seeker and Refugee Forum” brought together AS&R agencies to present the latest legal and social updates directly to the AS&R community. 26th June, 2010: The “United Nations International Day for the Support of Victims of Torture” forum was held at Hong Kong University with a panel discussion on the Protection of the Rights of Torture Victims in Asia and Hong Kong. Panel members were Mark Daly (Barnes and Daly Solicitors), Richard Tsoi (SOCO), Brian Barbour (HKRAC), Bijo Francis (AHRC, India Desk), and Baseer Naweed (AHRC, Pakistan Desk). |
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| Resource Centre Project: |
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| The VF Resource Centre is open to all our members Monday to Friday. The VF Centre provides a safe comfortable environment for members to come to have their basic and social needs met. VF members can access case workers for help on immediate issues, skills workshops, books and magazines, the internet and telephones, play board games or participate in recreational activities. All activities, classes, workshops and courses seek volunteer time and sponsorship money to cover the cost of transportation, materials and equipment. | |
| Volunteer Program: |
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| VF is 100% powered by volunteers; relying solely on volunteer expertise and support. Fundraising activities and events are great ways to contribute to the Hong Kong community. Previously successful events have included; Pub Golf, Bankers’ Barman night @ Solas and Philipp Engelhorn Photography exhibition @ No Borders Gallery. VF welcomes the skills of professionals to expand and enhance our current operations. Current volunteer contributions include qualified medical consultations, writing funding proposals, content editing and website management, study tutors, photography teachers and health education facilitators. | |
