Domestic workers and other foreigners have joined hands with locals to help clean up Hong Kong Island after typhoon Mangkhut left a trail of devastation.
One was Filipina domestic worker Lovelyn, who pulled a black garbage bag that her friends put fallen leaves and branches in after cleaning the street.
Lovelyn, who has been working in Hong Kong for 20 years and has seven years of experience in voluntary work, joined her employer and family to clean up the streets in Pok Fu Lam on Hong Kong Island on Tuesday, news website HK01.com reported.
Lovelyn said it was meaningful to spend her day off to help the community. The Philippines is one of the most exposed countries in the world to tropical storms. Lovelyn, like other Filipinos, has faced many typhoons and knew what had to be done afterwards.
Lovelyn said people should stay together and help each other in times of hardship. Strong people can help rebuild house while the elderly could take care of youngsters.
“Don’t tell me that you expect your community can turn back to normal once the typhoon is gone,” Lovelyn said. “You shouldn’t stay and wait for something to happen.”
Though 8,000 cleaners were deployed to work overnight, there were about 14,800 fallen trees after the typhoon. People from all walks of life came out to help.
Ahmed, a 20-year-old asylum seeker from Chad, volunteered for a street clean-up with his friends and they went to Tsim Sha Tsui to help remove fallen trees. “Once we started doing it, other passers-by joined us,” Ahmed said.
“Hong Kong is beautiful. I really want Hong Kong back to the condition as it was.” Ahmed said that although he was not a Hong Kong resident, he lived in the city and wanted to give a helping hand.
A good example to others not just waiting for the govt
joined her employer & family to clean pokfulam street? hmm…. good job girl my neighbour. 🙂