In 1997, at just twenty-one, Poonam moved to Hong Kong from Nepal by herself on an employment visa. As the oldest daughter, she had to support her family from a young age by working in this foreign city.
Due to her father’s work at army schools in India, which required frequent relocations, Poonam spent her childhood moving from place to place. This meant she had to change schools often, typically relocating every two to three years. Despite these challenges, Poonam still regarded her father as a role model. Perhaps it was this nomadic childhood experience that enabled her to adapt more quickly to her new environment when she eventually moved to Hong Kong.
Poonam’s experiences after coming to Hong Kong
When she first arrived, Poonam took on various jobs, including working in an Italian fashion store. In 2006, she started working as a barista at a coffee shop in Pacific Place. “I love customer service and then I love to chat with the customers. I feel very grounded and very alive. ” Poonam said. Through this job, she learned fluent Cantonese and expanded her social network in Hong Kong.
Later, Poonam began working at a café in Happy Valley. She made great efforts to develop special coffee drinks. Adding turmeric, cinnamon, and beetroot has made the normal latte extra special. Customers loved these unique flavors, and they became signature drinks at the café. Poonam says, “I’m very passionate, fussy about my coffee, love to create new coffee skills and arts and love to share with others. Always Love to serve my coffee presentable in front of my customers.”
Poonam wants to learn new things from people of different backgrounds. Her enthusiasm and eagerness to learn have helped her build her career in Hong Kong, though she knows how tough it is to establish roots in a new place. When friends have trouble finding work, she always helps her fellow Nepali friends. Now, most of the café’s staff are Nepali people she introduced.
It took Poonam years of effort to blend into Hong Kong society while keeping her cultural roots. She hopes her daughters will continue to respect and keep their cultural traditions, so she takes them to these festivals and teaches them to cook traditional foods.
Connections with family and friends from the hometown
When Poonam talks about her barista work in Hong Kong, she always smiles brightly. But when she talks about her family, she becomes emotional. “I want to go back to help my mother-in-law, but because of my two daughters—they’re still studying—and my husband is sick, I feel very bad, ” she said. Poonam especially mentioned that she wanted to thank her husband who has always supported her: “My husband is my biggest supporter. Without his love, I won’t be here today. “
Even though she is far away, Poonam keeps in close touch with her family and friends, and she prays for them often. She feels lucky because she believes God hears her prayers. In her foreign journey, religion has been her lifeline. Poonam has built a family and career in Hong Kong, but she still prays for her family back home.
Poonam’s coffee story might seem like an inspiring tale of making a name for herself in Hong Kong, but the aroma of home stays with her as she navigates life in a foreign land.
