Hong Kong asylum seekers get volleyball coaching as teens help ‘connect with the community’
Project is brainchild of high school pupil 16, who moved to city two years ago
Asylum-seeking families in Hong Kong have enjoyed a summer of free volleyball coaching thanks to a highly motivated group of international students seeking to “connect with the community”.
The families – predominantly from Pakistan, Syria and parts of Africa – were coached throughout July by the International Volleyball Academy based at Hong Kong International School (HKIS).
The scheme was the brainchild of HKIS pupil Naina Mishra, 16, whose team offered lessons to about 50 asylum seekers as part of a collaboration with charity Christian Action Hong Kong.
Meet the 17-year-old American student helping refugees in Hong Kong learn English
Mishra, who lives with her family in Stanley but is originally from Mumbai, moved to Hong Kong from Singapore just two years ago.
She said she realised she could use her passion for volleyball, which has enabled her to play with adults on university teams and the South China Athletic Association, to help those less fortunate than her and her classmates.
