"Humanitarian spirit is to support each other regardless of races."

Contribute to the Hometown

Ms Shalini Mahtani, was born and raised in Hong Kong, same as the other four generations of her paternal family. She is often labeled and faces discrimination because of her Indian complexion. Many ethnic minorities are having the same problem in Hong Kong, Shalini wishes to change the negative social stigma and provides support for them.

In 2009, Shalini's 3-year old son passed away suddenly. She and her husband established "The Zubin Foundation", named after their son, to provide opportunities for and reduce sufferings of ethnic minorities. Shalini realized that, apart from children, many ethnic minority women cannot access sufficient support. "A lot of mothers blame themselves for their children's congenital diseases, or feel helpless because they don't know how to take care of them." "Call Mira" is a hotline set up by the Foundation to support ethnic minority women. It provides them with emotional supports and useful information in English, Urdu, Hindi and other languages.

Protect Ethnic Minority Women and Promote Gender Equality

The hotline has received different cases, such as domestic violence, forced marriage, divorce, long-term abuse and suicidal tendency. "A university girl was forced by her parents to marry her uncle. Her computer and cell phone were taken. She returned to the university and asked for help. We received the case and followed up." As many cases were suffered from gender discrimination, Shalini actively promotes gender equality and encourages minority families to allow girls to receive education and decide their own future. Shalini believes everyone should enjoy equal opportunity, regardless of the complexions and genders. To create a more inclusive society, we should all love and help each other under the same sky.