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They had only been 3 months in a processing centre and all now have their own flats, well furnished and equipped. The majority works. They looked happy, well-dressed, spoke fairly well German. They expressed their gratitude to Hong Kong and Germany for all the help they had received. This was a very encouraging experience and proved that a good deal depends upon the person or persons in charge of such a project. All of them had German sponsors who keep close social contacts with them.
d) Hamburg, May 8-10 (Appendix 8)
Thursday, 8.5.80
Mr.
3 p.m.: Meeting with Mr. Hornig, Head of the Diakonische Werk, Hamburg, especially concerned with the care of "Asylanten". Hornig explained Hamburg's difficulties with the "Asylanten" of
different nationalities. He, too, has received complaints as to the preferential treatment accorded to the Vietnamese refugees who are being better housed and within a shorter period of time than the "Asylanten". He pointed out that the generous social benefits available in Germany, are misunderstood by the Vietnamese refugees. If they are recipients of such benefits during language. training over a prolonged period of time, they then expect this to
continue even if they are considered able to look after themselves.
Mr. Hornig, therefore, strongly favours a much shorter period in
processing centres and an early exposure to the world of work. He also claims that government leaves little room for private or church initiative. The government maxim is: "We know best".
He is unhappy because a good number of families who offered to be sponsors of Vietnamese families got nowhere and have since
withdrawn their interest and concern.
8 p.m.:
Speech and slide show for the protestant congregation of Hamburg Reinbek (ca. 150 persons). These were mostly young people
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who showed keen interest in our problems and would like to assist.
This congregation has donated DM17,000 to the Sham Shui Po Camp for its medical set-up.
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