A funding crisis is threatening to shut down a popular telephone counselling service for Chinese residents on the North Shore and across Auckland.
Chinese Lifeline is a free Cantonese and Mandarin language service that is part of Lifeline Auckland. It caters for distressed members of the Chinese community and provides affordable face-to-face counselling.
Lifeline manager Sunday Tsoi says the service helps not only new migrants struggling to settle into Kiwi life but also those who have been in New Zealand for some time and unable to cope.
She says it is now in danger of being suspended because of funding problems.
"There is a real need for Chinese Lifeline and it is heart-breaking to think it may be suspended.
"The service saves lives – we have had people write in and tell us Chinese Lifeline has been their lifeboat, it has given them strength to carry on," Mrs Tsoi says.
The service is appealing for donations to continue helping migrants on the Shore.
To help raise funds, Lifeline volunteers have organised a charity screening of two top-grossing Chinese films.
The love story Hot Summer Days will be screened at the Highland Park SkyCity Cinema on Wednesday, May 12, at 6.30pm.
The action-packed Bodyguards and Assassins will screen at St Lukes SkyCity Cinema on Monday, May 17, from 6.30pm.
To book tickets or make a donation go to the Chinese Lifeline website www.chineselifeline.org. nz or call Grace on 909-8753.
BY JODEAL CADACIO - North Shore Times
Last updated 10:31 06/05/2010
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