Hong Kong’s first ethnic minority social worker leaves triad past behind to break down barriers
- Jeffrey Andrews says he lacked connection with his Indian roots growing up and struggled to be accepted in Hong Kong
- He fell in with triads, was saved by a social worker and now wants to make a difference for others
In an office on the top floor of Hong Kong’s Chungking Mansions, social worker Jeffrey Andrews has been serving ethnic minorities and refugees for a decade.
Andrews, 33, of Indian origin, is the city’s first registered ethnic minority social worker.
But 15 years ago, he was a troubled teenager with an identity crisis.
“I got into trouble and was arrested. A social worker saved me. I am just trying to give back what was offered to me,” he says.
Hong Kong-born and raised, Andrews speaks fluent Cantonese and English. But when he was young, he went to segregated schools where he found no way to pick up the local language.
He also lacked a bond with his Indian roots. He can only speak limited Tamil – the language of Southern India and he sweats from eating spicy food.
