For many ethnic minority families in Hong Kong, integration comes with challenges including language barriers and cultural differences, hindering their access to public resources. Since the Hong Kong Society for the Protection of Children (HKSPC) established the Children and Family Services Centre in Kowloon City in 2003, the Centre has remained steadfast in its mission to promote family harmony and racial inclusion. Approximately 30% of the 500 families supported by the Centre are from ethnic minority backgrounds, most having migrated to Hong Kong from South Asia.
Breaking Barriers: From Beginner to Excellence
Bibi Umama, a 13-year-old student was unable to speak a word of Chinese when she migrated from Pakistan to Hong Kong with her family seven years ago. Homework was an arduous family task, with her father forced to take photos of each assignment to send to Chinese friends for translation and help. Completing daily homework was slow, frustrating, and exhausting. Five years ago, Umama's father sought support from the HKSPC Children and Family Services Centre following a friend's recommendation. Since then, all six family members have become active participants in the Centre's programmes and volunteer services.
Umama and her siblings participate in the "Whole Learning Project VI," funded by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust Community Project Grant. Designed for local and ethnic minority students from low-income and CSSA families, the programme offers academic, social, and emotional support to children from Primary 1 to Primary 6. For Umama, the Saturday Educational Courses were a turning point. With structured lessons focused on reading, writing, and speaking, she began to build confidence in Chinese. Umama now speaks fluent Cantonese and has blossomed both academically and socially. She is a confident student who ranked first in Chinese in her Primary 6 graduation exams and placed among the top five students in her year. Additionally, she was offered a secondary school place at a Band 1 secondary school, which was a moment of pride for her family.
Invisible Burden on Ethnic Minority Mothers: Building Stronger Support Networks
Almost one-third of those who use the Centre’s services come from ethnic minority backgrounds. For the past 13 years as the Centre’s Programme Officer, Seema Sharma, herself part of the minority community and fluent in Hindi, English, Punjabi and Urdu, has played a vital role in bridging the cultural and communication gap.
"She was so shy and anxious about her schoolwork," Seema recalls Umama's early days at the Centre. But as her Cantonese improved, so did her confidence. She began interacting more freely with local classmates and gradually blossomed into a cheerful young girl. Her siblings also found friends and learned better social and emotional skills with help from the Centre’s Social Workers.
Seema also highlights the quiet struggles faced by ethnic minority mothers, who often shoulder the full weight of childcare and housework. Umama's mother, for example, initially declined to join Centre activities due to her busy schedule. With Seema's encouragement, she attended a few workshops and found respite from her hectic routine. She soon became a familiar face at the Centre, sharing her culinary talents by leading cooking classes for other parents.
"It's heartening to see mothers rediscover their passions amid the chaos of daily life," Seema says. "Many tell me that the Centre gives them a safe space to share feelings they might not express to friends or family. Mothers reconnect with passions they left behind, discovering new purpose and emotional support in a community that welcomes them with open arms. That support makes a real difference."
As Umama prepares for the more demanding curriculum of secondary school, she remains positive and determined. Her message to fellow ethnic minority students at the HKSPC Children and Family Services Centre is simple yet powerful: "Don't give up. Follow your dreams."