Fighting poverty and prejudice on behalf of migrants

Sze Lai-shan came to Hong Kong as a child from the mainland, so she can empathise with the new immigrants with whom she works these days and the difficulties they face. Sadly, though, Sze reckons there is more prejudice nowadays than in her childhood.

"I was born in Fujian," says Sze, 42. "Both my parents were teachers on the mainland, but when they came to Hong Kong in 1981 both worked in factories making toys and textiles. I remember when I arrived. The whole summer I learned Cantonese by watching television and once I was at school I learned it fast. But I still felt quite isolated at that time. I think I understand what [new immigrants] are thinking and facing."

Sze, a community organiser for the Society for Community Organisation (Soco), runs its new immigrants project. She's also known for her campaigns for more accommodation for the homeless and her efforts to eradicate cage homes - an issue that has gone to the UN.

"We were particularly concerned about children living in these conditions," she said.

Cage homes still exist in Hong Kong despite negative press coverage because, says Sze, the government insists that there is market demand for this kind of accommodation.

Sze also knows what it is like to grow up in a low-income family.