PADMA*
Padma had expressed her consent to return to her home country in Africa, along with her toddler, to the Immigration Department in Hong Kong in November 2023. She reached out to ROAD a month later, seeking assistance. During the intake assessment, conducted as part of our process when community members express a desire to return, we identified several key issues that Padma was facing. She was ambivalent about returning, whether she had made the right decision.
Furthermore, she had no family in her home country, as her parents were deceased, and she did not know whom to contact or seek support from upon her return. She considered reaching out to her only relative, who resided in a neighbouring country. At that point, Padma was uncertain about her departure date from Hong Kong, as she had not been given one by the Immigration Department. Combined with the helplessness in being kept in limbo, the weight of the decisions she had to make regarding her and her daughter’s safety and well-being overwhelmed her. She was experiencing low mood, lack of energy, difficulty concentrating, and poor sleep. Additionally, her toddler was displaying signs of developmental delay.
ROAD conducted additional sessions with Padma to prepare her for her return, assessing her readiness, identifying her needs, addressing logistical considerations, and assisting with document preparation. Although Padma initially hesitated to reach out to friends in Africa about her return, the sessions helped her evaluate the potential benefits and drawbacks, and she ultimately reached out to a friend who was delighted to receive her.
She also contacted her relative, who extended an invitation for her to visit once she obtained the necessary documentation, including a passport for her daughter, as he lived in a neighbouring country.
ROAD also referred Padma to counselling services to address her emotional well-being and equipped her with tools for parenting.
Proactively, Padma also reached out to another organisation that connected her with a local organisation in her home country, which offered six months of shelter and food assistance for Padma and her child. Despite the challenges, Padma pursued online courses so that it would enable her to take up some employment.
Eventually, just two days before her flight, Padma was informed of her departure by the Immigration Department. Despite the limited time ROAD managed to provide the financial support that we provide to returning community members. Padma also managed to complete the necessary requirements and returned home with a mixture of ambiguity and hope.
ROAD also facilitated a connection with an organisation offering free counselling services, ensuring that she could continue to receive emotional and psychological support. Padma and her daughter eventually left their home country and joined her only relative.
Padma’s story serves as an exemplar of how ROAD envisions supporting community members in their return journey. We continuously learn from these experiences to improve and make the transition home, safer and more dignified for individuals like Padma.
2023年11月，Padma向香港入境事務處表示，同意與年幼的孩子一起返回非洲原居地生活；一個月後，她向ROAD團隊求助。一如其他表示有意返回原居地的社區成員，我們與Padma進行評估，了解她面對的主要問題。結果顯示她對回國感到矛盾忐忑，對於自己的決定正確與否心生疑慮。
由於Padma的雙親已經離世，她在原居地舉目無親，回國後可謂求助無門。苦無對策之下，聯絡居於鄰國的唯一親屬彷彿成為了她的唯一出路。與此同時，Padma對自己何時離港毫無頭緒，入境事務處當時一直並沒向她透露確實日期。身不由己的處境讓Padma感到徬徨無助，而她明白，每項決定都對自己和女兒的安全和日後生活影響深遠。沉重的壓力令她出現情緒低落、倦怠、專注力下降和失眠症狀；另一邊廂，她的孩子亦出現發展遲緩的跡象。
為協助Padma準備回國，ROAD團隊與她進行多次會面，藉此評估她對於返國的就緒程度、了解她的需要、處理後勤問題和預備所須文件。最初，Padma對於聯絡非洲當地的朋友有所卻步，但經過多次會面，她在團隊成員協助下學會平衡當中利弊。Padma最終與一位朋友取得聯絡，並且獲得朋友的熱情回應，表示將會迎接她的歸來；她亦與身在家鄉鄰國的親人聯絡上，他邀請Padma到家作客，只要她和女兒的所須證件俱備，便可成行。
除此之外，ROAD團隊向Padma轉介輔導服務，協助她整理情緒及提供育兒資源。Padma亦主動向另一間機構求助，由該機構與家鄉的地區服務組織牽線，為她和孩子安排六個月的住宿和食物援助。此外，Padma更無懼重重挑戰，修讀網上課程，藉此提升技能，為回國後投入職場做好準備。
Padma終在航班出發兩日前獲入境事務處通知離港日期。儘管時間緊迫，ROAD團隊仍趕及在Padma離港前，向她發放我們給予自願遣返成員的經濟援助。成功完成既定流程後，Padma在一片困惑和希望之中步上歸途
ROAD團隊亦為Padma與當地的輔導組織牽線，讓她得以繼續接受免費情緒和心理支援。最後，Padma和她的女兒離開家鄉，與她們唯一的親人一起生活。
Padma的故事展現ROAD如何在社區成員的歸家之路上提供支援。我們不斷從這些經歷中學習，為每個像Padma一樣選擇重返故鄉的人維護尊嚴，讓他們得以安然回國，繼續生活。