Igniting Hope in a Tiny Space — The STAR Program Protects Their Home and Precious Parent-Child Moments

In the bustling metropolis of Hong Kong, hidden corners shelter many who quietly strive to find a way forward. Lisa, an asylum seeker from Russia, lives in a 100-square-foot subdivided flat with her 6-year-old son James, who has just started primary school. Together they are working to build a small world filled with love and hope. As a non-refoulement claimant, Lisa’s case is still navigating a lengthy process. Restricted by her immigration status, she cannot legally work in Hong Kong, and the weight of life’s uncertainties tests this single mother’s resilience every day.

Stepping into Lisa and James’s home, the space is tiny but meticulously utilized. Your eyes are quickly drawn to the vibrant paintings and handmade crafts adorning the walls and furniture—James’s creations, treasures that Lisa holds dear. In a city where every inch is precious, Lisa nurtures her son’s spirit in her own way: she handcrafts delicate fabric pieces at home, not only as a way to pass the long waiting days but also as a silent lesson in love and creativity for James.

For Lisa and James, this modest flat is more than a place to live—it’s a fortress against the storms of the outside world. Yet, maintaining the basics of this “home”—like paying for utilities—was once a heavy burden for Lisa, who has no steady income. Beyond meager government aid (just HK$1,200 per person monthly in food vouchers, high or potentially inflated utility bills by landlords often forced Lisa to hesitate in the stifling summer heat, wondering whether to turn on a fan or air conditioner in their poorly ventilated space.

The kind donors of Branches of Hope’s STAR Program provided Lisa’s family with utility bill assistance. This support, while seemingly addressing a financial issue, has brought tangible improvements to their quality of life and peace of mind. They can now use appliances like fans without worrying about extra costs, ensuring their small space remains minimally comfortable during extreme weather, safeguarding James’s health and study environment. James can do homework and read under bright lights. Most importantly, this stability preserves their cherished parent-child bond. Lisa shares their most treasured routine: “Even in such a small space, we cherish every evening when we open our tiny foldable table on the bed to build LEGO or play with toys together.”

Lisa and James’s story reflects the experiences of many families supported by the STAR Program. Every donation does more than settle a utility bill. It upholds basic dignity, enabling struggling families to maintain a clean, safe, and minimally comfortable living environment. It protects physical and mental well-being, preserving warm, shared moments for families like Lisa and James during their toughest times. Above all, it reassures them that they are not alone in their long wait, that society’s care and support are ever-present.

In Lisa’s tiny flat, adorned with James’s artwork, we witness the greatness of a mother’s love, a child’s creativity blooming despite adversity, and the kindness of key supporters enacted through the STAR Program into a tangible force that protects this hope and warmth. For those who support this program, thank you for walking alongside Branches of Hope and taking action to support those awaiting a brighter dawn. Your generosity is lighting lamps of hope in the smallest corners of Hong Kong.

點亮方寸之地的希望 — STAR計劃守護他們的家、他們的親子時光

在香港這座繁華都市中，隱藏著許多不為人知的角落，居住著許多默默努力找出路的人。在僅約100平方呎的劏房裡，來自俄羅斯的單親媽媽Lisa（化名）與她6歲、剛踏入小學的兒子James，攜手構築一個充滿愛與希望的小天地。作為免遣返聲請人，Lisa的案件仍在漫長的處理過程中。受限於身份，她無法在港合法工作，生活的重擔與未來的不確定性，每天都在考驗著她的堅韌。

一個小小的家，滿載愛與希望

走進Lisa與James的家，地方雖小，卻處處透露溫馨。目光很快被牆上、家具上貼滿的色彩斑斕畫作和小手作吸引——這些充滿童趣的「寶藏」，是Lisa最珍視的驕傲。在這個寸金尺土的城市裡，Lisa用她的方式為滋養兒子的心靈：她在家中親手製作精巧的布藝小手作，這不僅是她排遣漫長等待時光的方式，更是向兒子傳遞愛與創造力的無聲課堂。

對於Lisa和James而言，這個小小的劏房不僅是棲身之所，更是他們抵禦外界風雨的溫暖堡壘。然而，維持這個「家」的基本運作——水電開支，對沒有固定收入的Lisa來說，曾經是心頭沈重的壓力。除了每月每人僅HK$1,200的政府微薄的資助食物現金卡（僅限指定超市使用，平均每天每人HK$40應付三餐），高昂且可能被業主濫收的水電費用，讓Lisa在悶熱的夏天猶豫是否開啟風扇或冷氣。這個通風不佳的狹小空間，稍不留神便成為健康的隱患，尤其是對正在成長的James。

STAR計劃：點亮生活，守護親子時光

希望枝子的STAR計劃為Lisa一家帶來轉機。透過水電費資助，看似解決的是賬單問題，實際帶來的卻是生活品質的提升和內心的安定。在酷熱的夏天，風扇與冷氣讓這個小空間保持基本舒適，守護James的健康與學習環境。他得以在明亮的燈光下專心做功課、閱讀課本。更重要的是，這份安穩為他們維繫了寶貴的親子空間。這份支持讓Lisa與James得以延續他們最珍貴的日常：「即使空間這麼小，我們依然很珍惜每晚在床上打開那張迷你小桌子，一起拼砌LEGO、玩玩具的時光。」

您的捐助，改變的不只是一張賬單

Lisa和James的故事，是STAR計劃眾多受助者及家庭的縮影。您的每一分捐助，不僅僅是支付了一筆水電費賬單。更是為這些家庭帶來了：

• 基本尊嚴：讓他們維持一個乾淨、安全、舒適的居住環境，免受經濟壓力的煎熬。
• 身心健康：確保孩子如James能在健康環境中成長學習，免於酷熱或黑暗的困擾。
• 親子聯繫：保留溫馨的家庭時刻，讓父母與孩子在逆境中仍能共享歡笑與愛。
• 希望的延續：讓他們感受到社會的關懷，知道在漫長的等待中並不孤單。

您的善心，點亮希望之光

在Lisa那貼滿畫作的狹小劏房裡，我們看到了一位母親無私的愛、一個孩子在逆境中綻放的創造力，以及您的善款通過STAR計劃化為實際的守護力量。

感謝您選擇與希望枝子同行，用行動支持這些等待曙光的人們。您的慷慨，正在香港的方寸之地，點亮一盞盞名為「希望」的燈光，讓愛與希望在最微小的角落綻放光芒。