As told to Tegan Smyth June*, from Indonesia, has lived in Hong Kong since 2006. She has a daughter, Emma that she is raising by herself. She spoke a few months after her original interview about her hopes and aspirations for her daughter. Alice, from Togo, is also raising her two children alone in Hong Kong….
Author: TOTC Admin
Welcome to Table of Two Cities, a deep-dive look into the untold stories of refugees and asylum seekers in Hong Kong.
Taste of home and creating a life after trauma: two refugees tell their stories
Laura and Maria*, are from Madagascar. They arrived in Hong Kong around a year ago, after fleeing forced marriages to men in Mainland China. This is their story.
Motherhood and living as an asylum seeker
As told to Dannie Higginbotham and Cynthia Chung June*, from Indonesia, has lived in Hong Kong since 2006 and is a former domestic helper seeking asylum in Hong Kong. Over beef rendang, June talks about her time as a helper, her daughter, and life as an asylum seeker. Can you tell us about yourself, anything…
Food, running and culture: one refugee’s story
As told to Hillary Leung and Tegan Smyth. Words by Tegan Smyth. Joseph* is a refugee from a country in Africa that is currently embroiled in sectarian violence. He spoke to us about his daily life as a refugee as well as sharing a treasured recipe from home. Could you tell us a little…
The waiting game: 16 years in Hong Kong as a refugee
As told to Leanne Ledgard. Words by Leanne Ledgard. Mahmoud* arrived in Hong Kong more than sixteen years ago, after fleeing persecution in his country. Despite all his children being born and raised in Hong Kong, each day is uncertain, as Mahmoud cannot work to provide for his family – and his children live as…
Education is an alienable right, after all… if you are a child refugee in Hong Kong
By Tegan Smyth Nino*, is a refugee from Togo. In 2005, he was forced to leave his country following a series of violent events which played out during a presidential election in his country. He arrived in Hong Kong the same year, with only the clothes on his back. He has been in search of…
Food for thought
(Continued from Part 1) You have to understand that being a refugee is not a crime. It is not something we should be punished for, or a reason to squeeze us or mistreat us or use against us as though we have done something wrong. To deny us our human rights, our joy, our dignity…
Education, the greatest equaliser
To be a refugee, no one wants to be a refugee. It is part of life. You never think, when you are in your home country “oh, one day, I will be a refugee”. We kicked off the first session of Table of Two Cities with some incredible dishes from Uganda, prepared by Amanda*, one…
Finding a different narrative in Hong Kong
Hi everyone! Thanks for taking a moment to read our page. We are looking forward to sharing the first photos of this project with you. Perhaps by way of background, you might be asking – why refugees and why Hong Kong? Our starting point is simple: We are involved in the Hong Kong third sector…
Behind the Name
Welcome to Table of Two Cities. We are doing a deep-dive of refugee and asylum seeker stories in Hong Kong, through the medium of food. Hong Kong is indisputably a major foodie destination. There is a dizzying array of restaurants at every price point and the town is decorated in Michelin stars. Office workers stream…
