22nd March 2010 - a little story

A 45-years old African had fought for his ID card for 20 years. Mark Ayivor, arrived in Hong Kong 20 years ago, said" This is my ID card, it's great. I slept with tears of joy that night."

20 years ago, Mark Ayivor arrived in Hong Kong as a tourist from Lesotho. But then he was arrested for overstaying in 1991 and charged of using forged passport from Lesotho. He was jailed for three years. A removal order was issued in May 1993, but official found nowhere to place him due to the closure of Lesotho consulate. In 1997, he was jailed again. He was convicted of supplying drugs to students and sentenced to three years. The conviction was then reprieved in his appeal due to the evidence was found to be "highly prejudicial".

He insisted his passort was genuine and there are unfairness in his case. He became stateless as he passport was confiscated. After he was released from his second jail, he was issued a recognisance document that allowed him to walk in the city. But it didn't grant him any rights as Hong Kong resident, "I couldn't do anything and it was sickening living in the city without ID card. It's just like being stranded in the middle of the ocean and you cannot move."

He cannot get a job without ID card. With no income, he can only turn to his friend or charities. Sometimes he would exploit his English language skill to earn him some money, but very little. In his early years in the city, Mark slept in parks, on the ground outside the Star Ferry Pier, or on the rooftops of old building in Tsim Sha Tsui. In 2002, he moved into a small flat in To Kwa Wan with monthly rent $1400.

He has not been in contact with his family in Maseru, and his parents was both died during his time in Hong Kong. He approached to former lawmaker Elsie Tu and sent letter to the Chief Executive's office for seeking help. But it took until he wrote to lawmaker Emily Lau Wai-hing on Nov 2009. Emily helped Mark to pass his letter to the head of immigration and thus Mark's case was spotted. Immigration then decided to issue Mark a ID card on humanitarian ground. In December 2009, Mark Ayivor received a letter from immigration and said his case was under consideration and his removal order from 1993 was rescinded. "I was so happy and grateful that they finally accept my case. I can now have a normal life, earn a living and everybody will accept me."

With newly issued ID card, Mark Ayivor's life has been changed. He can do everything now, which are taken for granted by almost everyone in Hong Kong. He has joined clubs, applied for library card and bank account, as well as a construction training course. "I have passed the exam for the Construction Industry Satefy Training Certificate, now i'm qualified to work in construction." He is now searching for a job, also considering studing accounting, and even start a family in Hong Kong. "I also think about going back home for a look," he said, adding that he was appreciating the people who gave their handout during his struggling 20 years.