【慈幼通訊社 ─ 2015 年 6 月 19 日香港訊，施達賢(Dolphie Sequeira)神父供稿】 ─ 大量移民活動，是我們時代中最令人印象深刻的徵兆之一。在大中華世界，不論境內或跨國移民的數目都日漸上升。在香港以華人為主的社會裡，來自世界各地的新移民或以香港為永久居住地的人，不斷增多。即使在香港教區內，也有逾10萬名非華裔信徒。
大部份南亞裔少數族群，即使他們大多在香港土生土長，也只能活在社會經濟的低層。香港南亞裔人數約有4萬2千名，佔少數族群11%。他們大多信奉印度教、伊斯蘭教及錫克教。他們的祖國為尼泊爾、孟加拉、巴基斯坦或印度。南亞裔的社會族群服務十分不足，尤其對青年及婦女等弱勢人士而言。他們大都處於待業狀態。求職並不容易，因為他們知道自己沒有合資格的技能。
中華會省一直希望能為他們做些事，方法之一是獲得印度慈幼會士的協助。2012年，清奈會省在傳教議員賢明漢神父的斡旋下，積極回應。在李文烈神父的建議，並在省會長斐神父及他的議會資助下，兩名印度籍慈幼會士，施達賢神父及Amala Vinoth神父，於2013年初抵達香港，對本地處於危險境地的南亞裔青少年，展開為期三個月的研究。施達賢神父自2013年11月起，成為香港西區聖類斯團體的成員。
「我是施達賢神父，來自印度，屬清奈聖多默會省。兩年前，我與Vinoth神父應邀來港，進行有關南亞裔青年的初部研究。研究完成後，中華會省接納研究結果，同意支援南亞裔青年服務。因此，我選擇協助慈幼會中華會省這項工作，於2013年11月來港，隸屬聖類斯學校團體，與8個不同國籍共12名會士一起生活。
目前，南亞裔青年服務的主要活動包括：
1. 每月首主日為南亞裔天主教團體舉行感恩祭。感恩祭之後舉行分享、遊戲或福音電影播放及靜思。
2. 在鄰近大嶼山香港國際機場的東涌，開設慶禮院。院址位於一所天主教學校，每個主日約有50名南亞裔青少年參與，慶禮院由慈幼協進會及一些青年共同策勵。
3. 為有不少新移民就讀的學校舉辦研討會及宿營活動，例如官立嘉道理爵士中學及明愛屯門馬登基金中學。
4. 在港島堅尼地城及大嶼山東涌開辦青少年游泳班。
5. 為青年開設街舞訓練班。
6. 為南亞族裔人士舉辦廣東話、數學及英文補習班。
7. 在長洲鮑思高青年中心舉辦青年營。
8. 在華仁書院為130名學生舉辦泰米爾文補習班。
9. 設立流連街頭青少年外展工作。
中華會省在開展南亞裔工作方面非常落力。無論是省會長及其議會，又或是聖類斯團體，特別是李文烈神父及陳尚華神父，都十分支持這項工作。「鮑思高慈善協會」及中華會省，為我們經費的主要來源。更重要的是，我完全信賴上主的助佑。在此感謝所有鼓勵我開展服務南亞裔貧苦新移民工作的人士。」
為移民服務的新領域正在展開。慈幼會在香港管理12所學校。在新界一所中學裡，三分之一的學生為巴基斯坦裔，他們得到一些懂烏都語教師的協助以適應學校的生活。將來或有更多的家庭，離開他們的祖國。正如1875年首批慈幼會士前往阿根廷一樣，今天鮑思高的神子，都盡力與新移民同行。施神父正祈求多一名印度籍會士，加入他的行列，投身這項艱辛卻有意義的工作。
South Asia Migrant Ministry in Hong Kong
(ANS - CIN, 19 June 2015, By Fr. Dolphie Sequeira, SDB) –Massive migration is one of the most impressive signs of our times. Also around Greater China domestic or international migration is on the rise. Also in the prevalent Chinese society of Hong Kong is growing the presence of immigrants or permanent residents from all around the world. Even the Catholic diocese of Hong Kong claims more almost 100.000 non-Chinese believers.
Most of the South Asian minority groups belong to the lower socioeconomic strata, although many of them were born and raised in Hong Kong. Their total population is about 42.000 or 11% of the ethnic minority groups. The majority of them believe in Hinduism, Islam and Sikhism. Their countries of origin are Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan or India. Community or social services for these communities are not adequate and especially the youth and women are the most underprivileged. Many of them are in search of work, but find themselves in difficult situations as they do not have the qualifications of skills to claim proper employment.
The Province of China wanted to see if they could do something for them with the help of Salesians from India. Thanks to initial mediation by the Councilor for the Missions in 2012, the province of Chennai answered in very positive way. After an initiative of Fr. Peter Newberry sponsored by the China SDB Provincial and his council, in early 2013 arrived to Hong Kong two Indian Salesians, Fr. Dolphie Sequiera and Fr. Amala Vinoth for a three-month study of the situation of the South Asian immigrant youth at risk there. Since November 2013 Fr. Dolphie is a member of St. Louis Community, Pok-Fu-Lam Road in Western Hong Kong.
I'm Fr Dolphie Sequeira, I am from India and belong to the Province of Chennai (St Thomas). Two years ago myself and Fr. Vinoth were invited to Hong Kong to conduct a basic research about the South Asian youth. After this initial stage the China province accepted the research and agreed to support the South Asian Youth Services. Hence, I opted to help out in this work for the Salesian province of China and arrived on 16th November, 2013. I’m based in the St.Louis School community with 12 confreres of eight different nationalities.
At present the major activities of South Asia Youth Services are:
1. Eucharist for South Asian Catholic community on the first Sunday of every month. After the Mass there is a sharing, games or Gospel movies and recollection.
2. Oratory in Tung Chung (Lantau island, near the Hong Kong airport). Based in one Catholic primary school, about fifty South Asian teenagers come every Sunday. Animated by the Salesian Cooperators and some young animators
3. Seminars and Camps for Schools with many migrant youth (eg. Sir Ellis Kadoori, Caritas Tuen Mun Maradon foundation)
4. Youth swimming in Hong Kong (Kennedy Town) and Lan Tau (Tung Chung)
5. Hip hopt training for teenagers
6. Tution classes for South Asians in Cantonese language, Mathematics and English class
7. Youth Camps at Don Bosco Youth Center in Cheng Chau island
8. Tamil language tutions in Wah Tan College for some 130 school children
9. Outreach work for the young in the streets
The Province of China was helpful to establish this mission among the South Asians. Fr. Provincial and his council on one hand and our community of St. Louis, especially Fr Peter Newbery and Fr. Jojo Garcia are very supportive. My main funding is from Don Bosco Charity and Salesian province. Above this I totally believe in Divine Providence. I would like to give thanks for all persons who are encouraging me for all these initiatives taken for and with the poor migrants South Asian Youth.
New frontiers of migration are just starting. The Salesians in Hong Kong have twelve schools. In one secondary school located in New Territories, one third of the population is of Pakistani origin and the students are assisted by some Urdu speaking teaching staff. Probably in the future more and more families and youth will be moving out of their countries of origin. Like the first Salesians in Argentina in 1875, also today the sons of Don Bosco strive to journey together with the migrant, when possible. Also Fr. Dolphie is praying that one more Indian confrere will join him soon in this not-so-easy but very meaningful mission.