Summary: Tegan Smyth is an Australian Lawyer working in Hong Kong who runs a program for refugees called Table of Two Cities. It is a community project where refugees tell their stories and share their culture through food. A shared meal can bring both sides of Hong Kong to one shared table. Two sides of the city, united by an idea, by acceptance, understanding and by food. Table of Two Cities enables refugees to give something of themselves to the local community and feel valued and appreciated. Tegan reminds us that ‘food is a universal medium to communicate your understanding of the world’. Tegan is a survivor of assault and she shares her experience with us and explains how helping others, is a way for her navigate her own trauma. She wants to hold space for people who do not have the spaced opened to them. Tegan feels that empathy is a gift and facing her trauma has inspired her to strive to create something worthwhile in the lives of others and helped her find a purpose in her own life. By sharing her story, she has realized that so many people have gone through similar experiences and she wants others to know that there is light at the end of the tunnel and healing is an ongoing process. She reminds anyone who is suffering that they are never alone and there are resources out there that can help those who need support. Table of Two Cities: https://tableoftwocities.org/ A listener note: Some of the topics discussed in this podcast may distressing to some listeners. If you feel you need support, please visit your local GP, a counsellor or contact the Samaritans in Hong Kong on 28960000. If you live in another country, please contact your local Lifeline or Crisis Centre in your area. Please visit my Patreon page if you would like to sponsor the production of Hong Kong Confidential Podcast. I have many great rewards to offer my supporters. Thanks for taking the time to check out the page https://www.patreon.com/hongkongconfidential?alert=2 Email: jules@hongkongconfidential.net Webpage: www.hongkongconfidential.net Network: https://www.auscastnetwork.com/home/hong-kong-confidential Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hongkongconfidential/ Twitter: www.twitter.com/juleshannaford/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hongkongconfidential/ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, YouTube and anywhere you find your podcasts. Sponsored by Teresa’s Turkish Towels https://hkturkish.com/
