DIANA (Education Support & Parents Group)
DIANA and her two children arrived in Hong Kong in 2024 and faced the challenges of adapting to a different environment. She sought a safe community but found the transition to Hong Kong both overwhelming and hopeless. She reached out to Branches of Hope (ROAD) for assistance and to avoid anyone from taking advantage of her.
When her children were enrolled in school through the education support programme, she was encouraged to join the Parents Support Group to help with her sense of isolation that came from navigating a new culture, language and social norms without any friends or family.
After joining the parents group, DIANA expressed genuine interest in learning and growing as she eagerly attended Parenting workshops and nail art training sessions. She made new friends from her home country and started feeling a sense of belonging and calm. With her warm smile and approachable demeanor, it made it easy for others to connect with her.
The enabling environment created an infectious sense of positivity and enthusiasm within her, and she shared her experiences and insights on parenting without any fear or hindrances. DIANA actively participated in discussions and contributed her ideas, encouraging others to do the same, which fostered a sense of community and togetherness. She became a leading participant of the Parent Support Group and her attitude inspired and motivated other members.
DIANA has now built strong ties with other community members who help one another with difficulties arising from their children’s education, especially communicating with teachers and helping their children with homework. Anytime you come across her, her face beams with smiles and hope.
“I am glad I joined the Parents Support Group. It has helped me and my children in so many ways, and I have learned a lot. I do not feel left out, alone or depressed anymore because I have got sisters around me to help.” She has expressed interest in joining more of ROAD’s activities because it makes her happy and keeps widening her knowledge base through useful workshops and skills acquisition.
The Parent Support Group has played a crucial role in the well-being of families of our community members (refugees and asylum seekers) by providing emotional support, shared knowledge, resources, skills development and community building. It has also motivated and encouraged community members by addressing specific needs, empowering parents, promoting mental health and opportunities for cultural exchange.
DIANA 帶著她的兩個孩子於 2024 年抵達香港，處於適應不同環境的過渡期，她面臨著種種挑戰。她嘗試尋求一個安全的社區，但發現適應香港的生活既讓人感到不知所措，又充滿希望。為尋求幫助並避免被他人利用，她聯繫了希望枝子 ROAD 團隊。
通過教育支援計劃，她的兩個孩子順利入讀學校。她受邀加入家長支援小組，以緩解因適應陌生文化、語言和社交規範，且缺乏親友支持而產生的孤立感。
加入家長支援小組後，DIANA 表現出對學習和成長的熱誠，積極參加親子工作坊和美甲培訓課程。她結織了來自她家鄉的新朋友，逐漸感受到歸屬感，這讓她內心平靜下來。她溫暖的笑容和平易近人的舉止，她輕鬆地與他人建立聯繫。
這種充滿支持的環境激發了她內心的積極和熱情，她毫無懼怕或障礙地分享了她在養育孩子方面的經驗和見解。DIANA 積極參與討論，貢獻她的想法，並鼓勵其他人也這樣做，從而培養了一種社區感和凝聚力。她成為家長支援小組的主要參與者，她的態度也啟發和激勵了其他成員。現在，DIANA已經與其他社區成員建立了深厚聯繫，彼此攜手應對子女教育中的挑戰，特別是在與老師溝通和指導孩子做功課方面。 每當遇到她時，她總是面帶笑容，滿懷希望。
「我很高興加入了家長支援小組。 它在很多方面幫助了我和我的孩子，讓我收穫頗豐。 我不再感到孤立無援或沮喪，因為身邊有姐妹們可以相互幫助。」 她表示有興趣參加更多 ROAD 的活動，因為這些活動不僅帶給她快樂，還通過實用的工作坊和技能培訓持續拓寬她的知識視野。
家長支援小組在促進社區成員（難民及免遣返聲請人）的身心健康方面發揮了不可或缺的作用，通過提供情緒支援、知識共享、資源整合、技能提升及社區凝聚力建設，顯著改善了他們的生活質素。該小組不僅滿足了特定需求，還通過賦能家長、促進心理健康及推動文化交流，激勵並鼓舞了社區成員，為他們帶來更多機遇與希望。