Volunteers distribute supplies on one of the Impact Hong Kong’s Kindness Walks. Photo: Handout
Source:
https://scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3202678/5-hong-kong-charities-still-need-volunteers-christmas-teaching-domestic-workers-and-collecting-food News & Trends
5 Hong Kong charities that still need volunteers this Christmas: from teaching domestic workers and collecting food to walking pups for Hong Kong Dog Rescue, here’s how to give back this festive season
- In the season of giving, volunteers are still needed for meaningful work at key local charities – from collecting bread for Feeding Hong Kong to ‘kindness walks’ and meeting the city’s homeless
- Help for Domestic Workers is looking for volunteers to help with translation and physical well-being, while HandsOn Hong Kong can connect you with kids that need homework help
Looking to give back this Christmas? Consider volunteering for Hong Kong Dog Rescue’s dog walking programme. Photo: Hong Kong Dog Rescue
Life in Hong Kong can be hectic at the best of times, with most of us running a mile a minute without time for pause. But as the year draws to a close and offers moments for reflection, it can be a good opportunity to set some time aside to give back to those in need.
There are always those less fortunate than ourselves, and the city is home to a host of charities in need of volunteers. So whether you’re looking to get your hands dirty, get out and active or even to learn a new skill, there’s a fun, interactive way to get involved to make a difference this Christmas.
Impact Hong Kong
Dedicated to creating a more inclusive society, Impact Hong Kong seeks to provide safe housing and mental and physical support to homeless people. The daily Kindness Walks by a team of volunteers offers those involved the opportunity to engage with people in need, distributing food and other necessary supplies, and ultimately, showing a friendly face and displaying an act of kindness. Join a Kindness Walk by registering through the Hands on Hong Kong platform or get in touch with the charity directly to organise a private walk for small groups of up to 15 people.
Feeding Hong Kong
Feeding Hong Kong redistributes surplus food to charitable partners across Hong Kong. Photo: Handout
Feeding Hong Kong has a dual mission – to prevent hunger in the city’s population in need, and to fight food waste. Since its inception in 2011, the charity has collected surplus food from local manufacturers and retailers, and prevented more than 4,400 tonnes of food from entering landfills. This equates to more than 8.3 million kg of CO2. Feeding Hong Kong supports more than 150 charities, and for every HK$5 donated, they provide a meal to someone in need. Those interested in getting involved can sign up as runners to collect surplus bread from across Hong Kong’s bakeries for redistribution to the organisation’s partner charities.
Help for Domestic Workers
Outreach programmes led by Help for Domestic Workers offer valuable services to the city’s more than 400,000 migrant domestic workers. Photo: Handout
There are more than 400,000 domestic workers in Hong Kong and in recent times, the community has experienced unprecedented difficulties exacerbated by the Covid-19 epidemic. Help for Domestic Workers (formerly named Help for Domestic Helpers) was established in 1989 to provide support to the community and to promote fair and equal treatment for the often-overlooked segment of the city’s workforce. The group provides education, well-being support and a host of other services, many of which are volunteer-led. Those with language skills can volunteer as translators, while anyone with physical training experience can volunteer to assist with physical well-being classes.
Hong Kong Dog Rescue
Hong Kong Dog Rescue has more than 600 dogs in need of rehoming at its Tai Po centre. Photo: @hkdr_official/Instagram
If you’re an animal-lover but not currently able to adopt or foster, Hong Kong Dog Rescue has an open call for volunteers for its dog walking programme. The charity relies almost entirely on donations and its team of volunteers to care for its animals, and there are more than 600 dogs in its Tai Po homing centre. There is no previous experience required and anyone aged over 18 is eligible to apply, with first-time volunteers invited to attend a three-hour training orientation.
HandsOn Hong Kong
HandsOn Hong Kong supports the Generation Connect programme, among others. Photo: HandsOn Hong Kong
If you’re looking to give back but unsure where to begin, HandsOn Hong Kong provides a list of charitable programmes in search of volunteers and can be a great source of inspiration. Activities range from being a sports assistant for a day to helping children from ethnic minority groups with their homework.