Bethune House's doors have long been open to any migrant in need

Bethune House Migrant Women’s Refuge (BHMWR or Bethune House) was established by MFMW in 1987 as a temporary shelter for distressed women migrants of any nationality, with on-going case/s in Hong Kong. Residents’ cases are jointly managed with them by the Mission and Bethune House.

The Asia Pacific Mission for Migrants (APMM) was created through the Mission’s effort to reach out to migrant workers outside of Hong Kong. From 1984, APMM has now expanded its mission outreach to several countries in the region as an independent non-governmental entity. APMM and the Mission continue to work together to further improve and expand the thrust to provide services to migrant workers, form organizations of migrant workers, and advocate for migrants’ rights and wellbeing.

The United Filipinos in Hong Kong (UNIFIL-HK) is the first alliance of Filipino migrant workers in Hong Kong formed to address the issues that Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) face. The Mission has played a significant role in its establishment in 1985 by organizing its prime mover, the Association of Concerned Filipinos-Hong Kong. To date, UNIFIL has 22 member organizations; still one of the leading groups addressing the issues of OFWs in Hong Kong and in the Philippines; and has established cooperation with five other Filipino migrant alliances and four migrant organizations of other nationalities based in Hong Kong. The Mission continues to assist it in its campaigns, welfare activities and advocacy.

On Services:

CIPME has been the main form of service, making the migrant worker and other women clients less dependent on others and hopefully leading to individual transformation. Transformative counseling and assistance makes the MFMW unique.

On Programs:

The Mission has sustained an overall level of new cases of around 1,500 per year.

Complementing the large number of case intake is the equally active education, organizing and advocacy program which address support both for individual migrants and their organizations: conducting training and education services, providing consultancy and direct support for the leadership of migrant organizations in addressing various leadership activities; and developing partnership with existing migrant organizations and alliances as well as launching advocacy campaigns.

The MFMW publications have helped raise awareness and consciousness of migrants regarding their issues as well as related issues in the Philippines and Hong Kong.

On Institutional Work and Finance:

Since 1992, the financial situation of the MFMW has been unstable. However, it was able to survive through the commitment of two long term partners, the Church of Sweden and the Uniting Protestant Churches in the Netherlands. The continued support of the St. John’s Cathedral has been indispensable in sustaining the ministry, operations and work of the MFMW. In 2005, it has been recognized as a Jubilee Center by the Episcopal Church USA’s Jubilee Ministry. Over the years, the Mission has been creatively expanding the scope and nature of its services in spite of resource limitations. This has resulted in effective mobilization of migrant organizations in various campaigns and advocacy activities.