Bethune House Migrant Women’s Refuge Sheltering migrants for 22 years

On 20 September 2008 the Bethune House celebrated its 22nd anniversary in grand style, with an Open House. Friends and supporters of the Bethune House, as well as others from the Hong Kong and Expatriate community were invited.

The Open House was also an opportunity to continue the fundraising campaign for the Bethune House. Around mid-August, an urgent appeal letter was sent out to various churches and individuals, explaining of the Bethune House’s detrimental financial situation.

The appeal was met with donations of cash, clothes and food items. It was decided that the celebration of the 22nd anniversary of the Bethune House could be used to not only raise awareness, but to hopefully raise funds as well.

The day was kicked off with an interfaith service that included readings from the Koran, the Christian Bible and a prayer from the Buddhist tradition. Over 100 visitors enjoyed house tours during which they were able to meet some of the current clients, learn more about the history of the Bethune House, and the situation of migrant workers, namely domestic workers, here in Hong Kong.

After the tours, visitors enjoyed refreshments and browsed the sales table, complete with homemade pies, books on migrant issues and bottles of virgin coconut oil.

There was also a silent auction that ran from the opening until 3pm, during which participants could bid on small items such as fashion accessories, stuffed toys and cross-stitched framed wall hangings made by the residents of the Bethune House. Many of the Indonesian women were dressed in traditional costumes to help make the atmosphere more festive.

In the late afternoon, the Bethune House shifted to their evening program, which was graciously hosted in the social hall of Kowloon Union Church. The program included a poem read by the Bethune House residents, a welcoming speech by Bethune House board member Rev. Sharon Constable, a video documentary on the Bethune House, and cultural presentations given by both the Indonesians and the Filipinas.

The main event of the evening was the live auction, for which artists from the local community had donated their art works. Former Bethune House resident Janet Pancho Gupta donated 5 watercolors and a sketch. Three of the watercolor pieces were of current or recent Bethune House residents.

Other works donated included four photography pieces, two oil paintings, a scanned image with crayon, and a pigment and gold leaf piece. The auction was led by amateur auctioneer Liz Hooks. The attendees really got into the spirit of the auction, as friendly wars over particular pieces helped raise more money for the benefit of the Bethune House!

What was even more inspiring was the hard work put in by the residents of the shelter to make the event successful. They did everything to make the guests welcome and also make then understand how important Bethune House is to women migrants in distress.

All in all, both events, the Open House and Live Auction, were a huge success.

The Bethune House Board, residents and staff wish to express their deep gratitude and appreciation for all those who attended, participated and volunteered to help make the 22nd anniversary of the Bethune House a memorable one!