After a successful year of working together in 2023, the WIMLER Foundation Hong Kong will continue formalized its collaboration with the Southeast Asia Research Center (SEARC) of the City University in Hong Kong to provide empowerment and capacity-building programs for Filipino migrant workers in 2024.
As of 2019, over 12 million Filipino overseas workers collectively sent an estimated US$40 billion in remittances that year. This accounted for about 10% of the country’s GDP and exceeded foreign direct investments and official development aid. There are 359,296 domestic helpers in Hong Kong alone, with the majority (55.6%) from the Philippines. These workers sent approximately HK$764 million in remittances in 2023, highlighting their significant contributions to the country’s economy. However, most of these workers cannot obtain permanent residence and must prepare for their eventual return and reintegration into their homeland.
ALSE OF-LIFE (ALSE Overseas Filipinos’ Leadership, Innovation, Financial Literacy, and Social Entrepreneurship Program), which was originally the Ateneo Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship Program for Overseas Filipinos and their Families (ALSE), is now in its 16th year of operation as an Executive Education program of the Ateneo School of Government (ASoG). However, the program’s early beginnings started in Italy in 2008. It has expanded to over 5,000 overseas Filipinos from 32 countries and territories, including Hong Kong where it began in 2012. The program aims to equip overseas Filipinos (OFs) and Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) with the skills and knowledge for sustainable return and successful reintegration. ALSE OF-LIFE remains unique as a professional program that seeks to build the capabilities of Filipinos overseas to become agents of change and innovation for their families, overseas communities, and their home country.
The hybrid training program takes place twice a month for six months, consisting of 12 sessions that will culminate in a Social Enterprise Plan Presentation and graduation ceremony. A mentoring program will also be available for those interested in pursuing productive activities after completing the course. While the main program for collaboration among the WIMLER HK, ASoG, and SEARCH is the ALSE OF-LIFE, the three organizations are also exploring other meaningful ways to further support migrant workers in Hong Kong.
ABOUT THE WIMLER FOUNDATION HONG KONG
WIMLER Foundation Hong Kong Ltd. was officially registered in 2011 as a non-profit and charitable organization whose primary aim is to support the capacity building and empowerment of migrant communities regardless of nationality and to promote cultural diversity in Hong Kong based on mutual respect, solidarity, and shared empowerment among peoples. In 2018, WIMLER HK was awarded the Banaag Award of the Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas. The awards honor distinguished individuals and foreign-based organizations dedicated to advancing the interests of Filipino communities around the world.
ABOUT THE SOUTHEAST ASIA RESEARCH CENTER
The Southeast Asia Research Centre (SEARC), inaugurated in 2001, is the only research Centre focused on Southeast Asia in Hong Kong and is the most high profile in all of China. There are also several hundred thousand Southeast Asians living in Hong Kong, many of whom are long-term migrants, and all ten Association of Southeast Asian Nations have consulates in the city. This underlines the importance of SEARC as the sole research centre focused on the region in the city, undertaking cutting-edge academic research while engaging in community outreach and cultural exchange.
As part of the centre’s core objectives, the SEARC is closely working with the WIMLER Foundation HK and Ateneo School of Government (ASOG) to enhance the ALSE OF-LIFE’s curriculum and teaching components. Specifically, our researchers are helping in the integration of modules on governance and civics, which should further empower the participants to contribute to society more generally upon their return.
In October 2024, the SEARC will lead the session on good governance to enhance the participants’ understanding of servant leadership and good governance towards nation-building. The ALSE OF-LIFE program is a cutting-edge educational project which prepares domestic workers for their return and reintegration into their home communities. It also presents an opportunity for the SEARC to fulfil its objectives of impactful community outreach and deepen our ties with Southeast Asians, especially the hardworking migrant workers who are vital members of the Hong Kong community.
