In order to cope with the language barrier problems that the ethnic minorities are facing when using social welfare, medical, education and employment services, our South Asian staff in the centre (mainly Pakistan) will accompany with the case user and provide translation services according to their needs.

Moreover, we also provide written translation in the district for Pakistan residents and Government departments (mainly in Urdu). Pakistan consulate will be the proofreader for part of the translation and acts as a consultant to ensure the accuracy.

According to the “Community Investment and Inclusion Fund” sponsored by the Health, Welfare and Food Bureau (Nowadays: Labour and Welfare Bureau) , the “Bridging ethnic groups” multi-ethnic community self-reliance mutual aid plan had executed and extended its service to Nepalese and Indian, the service included:

i. “You speak, I listen” multi-language course tutor will teach and translate Chinese, English and Urdu for people with different nationalities in the district.

ii. “Hong Kong ABC” Ethnic Minorities Hotline and outreaching volunteer team provide services in form of telephone consultation & outreaching, to serve different nationalities residents for emergent or on-site interpretation.

iii. Our“Multi-language Interpretation Service”provide Chinese, English, Urdu, Nepali, Hindi language for written translation.

iv. We are cooperating with Hospital Authority and provide Urdu, Nepali, Hindi and Punjabi on-site or telephone translation services to serve the public hospitals in H.K. From now on, we have handled over 350 cases, thousands of patients and medical staff. We gained their supports and acknowledgements.

v. Sponsored by Employees Retraining Board (ERB), we were the first organization to hold “Interpreters in Community Certificate Course”, teaching the ethic minorities about the interpretation theories and skills. The graduates will get a Certificate issued by ERB. Besides, as this course is correlated with Qualifications Framework, the graduates were the first group of people who became Qualified ethic minorities interpreters in H.K.