The Problem

Language barriers have caused ethnic minority (EM) elderly a lot of inconvenience, restricting their access to crucial social information and services. Moreover,  local healthcare providers may not be well equipped with cultural sensitivity, and therefore, EM elderly may hesitate to seek help due to fears of potential misunderstandings.   

Lacking social connections within the wider community, many of them also experience social isolation and loneliness. It is bringing serious risks to their well-being. 

Our Work 

The Zubin Foundation’s Elderly Gathering on every Fridays provides EM elderly with an opportunity to spend some quality time together. These gatherings not only foster companionship, but also provides opportunities for creative expression through arts and crafts as well as leisure activities. By partaking in such activities, they enhance their social skills and forge meaningful relationships amongst themselves as well as the wider community in Hong Kong. 

To introduce them to the local community, we often organise field trips for them explore popular destinations in Hong Kong, enabling them to enjoy and explore new experiences. 

Besides some recreational time, the gathering provides them with useful information and services, such as healthcare tips, and briefings of elderly services provided by different NGOs, etc, ensuring that they are better informed and connected.  

Our Impact

Ethnic Minority Elderly Population Increased by 160% in 10 Years. (2024, July 24). Hong Kong Christian Service. Retrieved October 3, 2024, from https://www.hkcs.org/en/pressrelease/20240724-Use-of-Mainsteam-Services-by-EM-Elders#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20population%20census,current%20mainstream%20services%20need%20improvement. 

Words from Our Service User

“My name is Dharma. I am 82 and I lost my wife, so I joined my son to live in Hong Kong in 2016. I live with my son, his wife and their children. I am alone all day because my son and his wife work, and I miss my wife so much. I have been lonely for a long time. I found out about The Zubin Foundation gatherings for the elderly, and I now join them every Friday. I have made friends, which is difficult when you are my age. Every week I arrive early and get in the queue. I love to meet my new friends and now have something to do. Before I would just sit at home and my mind would wander. Thank you for supporting The Zubin Foundation because you have helped me feel happy, and I feel like I belong now. Thank you also to Anuradha for her kindness at The Zubin Foundation.” -Dharma

Contact

If you would like to know more about the programme, please get in touch with:

Anuradha Limbu Chettri | Project Officer | anuradha@zubinfoundation.org  | +852 5561-0775