Hong Kong Community Involvement - 1

Hong Kong Blood Donation: Where To Donate Blood

Mon, 10 Jun 2024 22:00:02 +0000

A single blood donation can help save three or more people. And with some blood types in especially high demand, there’s never been a better time to roll up your sleeve. Here’s everything you need to know about becoming a blood donor in Hong Kong.

There’s no substitution for blood. Patients with chronic diseases or those in need of surgery because of illness or accident count entirely on the generosity of people who donate. Every year, 14 June is marked as World Blood Donor Day to raise awareness about the important role blood donation plays in national health systems. Whether you’re thinking about donating blood for the first time or want to learn more, we’ve rounded up everything you need to know about blood donation in Hong Kong.

Jump to:
Who Can Donate Blood In Hong Kong?
What To Do Before You Donate Blood
What To Expect When Giving Blood
Where To Donate Blood In Hong Kong

Who Can Donate Blood In Hong Kong?

There are two types of blood donation: whole blood donation (all components of your blood) and apheresis donation (plasma, platelets or both).

For a first-time donor, you must:

Be in good health
Weigh over 41kgs
Be between the ages 16 to 66 (if you’re over 66, you can still be accepted for whole blood donation up to your 76^th birthday).

Regular blood donors without adverse post-donation reactions are eligible for apheresis donation, provided that you have made at least two whole blood donations in Hong Kong. You must be between the ages of 18 to 60 (you can donate up to the age of 70 if certain conditions are met!), weigh over 60kgs, and be willing to donate blood at least once a month regularly.

In order to protect yourself and the recipient, the Blood Transfusion Service screens each donor through health history questionnaires, haemoglobin and blood pressure checking and more. For information on the frequency of blood donation, donating under the age of 18, and if your travel history permits you to donate, you can find out more via The Red Cross. You can also check if you’re eligible for blood donation by taking this online test!

What To Do Before You Donate Blood

Book an appointment!
Make sure to eat something within four hours before donating and have iron-rich foods, such as red meat, fish, poultry, beans, spinach, iron-fortified cereals or raisins.
Get a good night’s sleep the night before your donation and stay hydrated, it’s advisable to drink an extra half litre of water before your appointment.
Wear a top with sleeves you can roll up above your elbows.
Make sure you have your Hong Kong Identity Card or a valid travel document ready to present to the nurses upon arrival.
Make a list of any medication you’re on as well as notes on your health history, ready to share with the nurse.

What To Expect When Giving Blood

The donation process is quite straightforward. Once you arrive at a donation centre, fill out a registration form and you will be directed to a nurse who will perform a haemoglobin test and general screening, which includes taking your temperature, blood pressure and asking you a couple of questions about your health history.

Once everything is good to go, a nurse will disinfect your skin and apply a local anaesthetic before the venepuncture (all needles are sterilised and used only once to protect donors from any potential infections). A blood sample will be taken to confirm your blood type and check for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV, syphilis and human T-lymphotropic virus. The whole donating process will take 7 to 12 minutes. After you’re done, the centre will provide you with refreshments and small bites to enjoy (to replenish the fluid lost)!

Bruising is completely normal and can occasionally occur after the donation if there is bleeding underneath the skin. It should disappear on its own, but you can apply a cold compress on the venepuncture site if you’re in any discomfort. Make sure you read Hong Kong Red Cross’ post-donation advice if you’re unsure of anything.

Where To Donate Blood In Hong Kong

There are centres across Hong Kong, including Central, Causeway Bay and Wan Chai on Hong Kong Island, Kwun Tong, Mong Kok and West Kowloon, plus Sha Tin, Yuen Long and Tsuen Wan. Simply find your closest one and give them a call to inquire about booking in for a donation. First-time blood donors should be sent a donor card between four to six weeks after donating blood and you can check when you’ll be able to donate again using its eDONOR platform, which you’ll create once you’ve signed all the forms upon arrival.

Click here for the full list of Hong Kong blood donation centres.

Editor’s note: “Where To Donate Blood In Hong Kong” was most recently updated by Sassy Mama in June 2024.

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Family Volunteering: Teaching Kids To Give Back To Society

Tue, 04 Jun 2024 22:00:28 +0000

Charity begins at home and so does the habit of volunteering. Children learn the importance of giving back to society from their families. Here’s how to adopt a more committed approach to volunteering as a family.

As a social impact consultant, I’m often invited by NGOs to their volunteer activities so I can get a better understanding of their mission and beneficiaries. I suppose it’s not too dissimilar to being an influencer, but instead of free cocktails and opening night shows, I get to bathe abandoned dogs and pack lunch boxes for those in need. If there is space, I often invite my friends or bring my children to volunteer. We invariably have a fun, fulfilling, and eye-opening experience. I’ll pass on the free cocktails and take the dogs and lunch boxes any day!

“Where can I volunteer with my kids?”

After an enriching day of volunteering themselves or after vicariously enjoying my social media posts, I’m often asked by friends where they can volunteer with their kids. To this, I often respond, “Where do YOU volunteer?” More often than not, I find that parents themselves have not invested time or effort in any charitable organisations, and yet they want their kids to go “do some good”. I’ve even known parents who dropped off their children at opportunities which were clearly marked parent-child experiences.

Values, like viruses, are contagious. They are caught and not taught. This is not meant to be an admonition, but a reminder that volunteering is not a baby-sitting service or a chance for your child to beef up their CV. Rather, it is a valuable opportunity to grow their sense of compassion and social responsibility. Studies have shown that volunteering even has benefits of boosting self-esteem and decreasing the risk of depression in adulthood. And if you want these benefits for your children, perhaps make volunteering a family habit?

Allow me to tell you about a recent volunteering opportunity and what I gained from it…

Spotlight: Volunteering For Habitat for Humanity Hong Kong

Now, if you are looking for volunteer work that requires Herculean strength, I highly suggest the recent service activity I did with Habitat for Humanity Hong Kong. Despite all my volunteering experience thus far, I was not prepared for the exhausting yet exhilarating task, replete with gear including goggles, face mask, gloves (and straddling a ladder for hours!). Our mission, and we chose to accept it, was to scrape, prime, and paint a home in an estate building in Kowloon belonging to Mrs Chan. As soon as we arrived and looked up at her ceiling, we knew why we were there. Vast areas of paint had chipped off, and dried plaster was peeled back exposing the grey concrete underneath. Areas that were still intact had mould growing on it.

Along with two licensed contractors, eight of us volunteers got to work. My initial scraping was executed in a steady metronome beat and had momentum. But within half an hour, the beat had dwindled and my arms worked like a pair of reluctant windshield wipers.

I took rest breaks so long my friend joked that mould was going to grow back by the time I was ready to work again. After we finished scraping, we applied primer to the ceiling, and completed the work by painting three layers of white paint.

Mrs. Chan sat on a small stool outside her front door watching us the entire day. During breaks, I chatted to her. She shared much of her story. Though it had more than its fair share of unfortunate events, she concluded that our work that day made her realise there are still “good people” in the world. That statement was worth every ache and strained muscle!

This is the type of impact that Habitat Hong Kong is making: restoring hope and homes to one family at a time. Habitat Hong Kong’s vision is that everyone would have a decent place to live, and their mission is to renovate and deep clean spaces for individuals on social welfare and low-income elderly. Email volunteer@habitat.org.hk if you are interested to get involved. The minimum age is 6 years old for Project SchoolWorks; while the minimum age is 15 years old for Project HomeWorks, so you can get your kids involved.

PS: Habitat Hong Kong is celebrating their 20th year of serving Hong Kong with an auction and anniversary party at The Fullerton Ocean Park Hotel on Thursday, 6 June 2024. Book your tickets now if you’d like to learn more about them.

Family & Kids Volunteering: Opportunities Abound

Wondering where to start volunteering in Hong Kong? Now should you be ready to volunteer together with your family, the go-to comprehensive directory of volunteer activities in our city is HandsOn Hong Kong. The HandsOn team runs 200 activities each month and all the options are clearly marked in their calendar. I’ve found this calendar to be an invaluable resource as it has opportunities available for individuals, families, and corporations looking to roll up their sleeves. Sassy Mama often highlights the family volunteering opportunities in Hong Kong, so keep an eye out for what’s suitable for you and your kids (depending on age cutoffs).

ImpactHK serves the homeless in our city’s poorest neighbourhoods, by engaging volunteers on a 2 to 3-hour Kindness Walk while handing out necessities to street sleepers, street cleaners and low-income elderly. The minimum suggested age is 5 years old.

Feeding Hong Kong is a food redistribution service and facility, bringing food from where it is plenty to where it is needed. Volunteers are needed to collect bread and pastries on the Bread Run (no minimum age). Then the Warehouse Assistant sorts the collected foods in the warehouse (minimum age 16 years).

Food Angel is another food-related organisation that’s involved in the preparation and distribution of food directly to their beneficiaries. Due to hygiene and safety concerts, the minimum age is 16 years old to serve as a volunteer. Opportunities can include Veggie Preparation, Mealbox Packing, and Serving Meals.

RUN Hong Kong supports vulnerable refugees, especially women, to build resilience and nurture self-reliance through sports and education. Volunteer positions include assisting in adult sports activities, assisting the children’s homework club, babysitting for children whose parents are doing sport, etc. General minimum age is 15 years to volunteer.

Another event for you to mark in your diaries – The second RUN Fashion Show will take place on Wednesday, 12 June 2024 at Central Market, 93 Queen’s Road Central to commemorate World Refugee Day. The event begins at 6:30pm, so it’s probably best to go kid-free or with your older children. Last year’s event was a big success and your teens will enjoy it! Buy tickets here!

Long-Term Volunteering: Volunteerism vs. Volun-tourism

About ten years ago, our family designated a certain NGO as our “family charity”. We initially selected this organisation because we cared about the social cause and my husband and I were friends with the CEO. But over time, as we got to know the NGO staff, assessed the impact, and – yes! – volunteered with them on numerous occasions, we realised that we could be most useful to the charity by our commitment. Besides volunteering, we would fundraise, advocate, and invite friends to the NGO’s activities. It was a mutually beneficial relationship: the charity had our commitment, and our family learned so much by serving the NGO and their beneficiaries.

Charities value committed, long-term relationships.

Too often, our approach to volunteerism is more like volun-tourism. Instead of a consistent approach, volunteers dip in and out, and organisations find that a volunteer is less help and more hassle.

From my experience, you and your family will reap the rewards of making an impact by engaging one or two charities more deeply and thoughtfully. Find a cause that appeals to all of you, research the organisations in the space and then understand how you can work with them. Assign the kids age-appropriate tasks while the parents help with finances, fund-raising, accounting and more. Over the years, as your children grow up, you are likely to find that they have gained so much more than what you have given!

Editor’s Note: The author originally published this article in July 2020. It has been updated since and published in June 2024.

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5 Fun Ways To Support World Ocean Day In Hong Kong

Sun, 26 May 2024 22:00:22 +0000

World Ocean Day 2024 is coming up on Saturday, 8 June. We all want to bring up environmentally aware little citizens so this is the perfect opportunity to foster their love of the sea.

As we get set for an action-packed Hong Kong summer full of lazy beach days, junk boat adventures and more than one day trip to Lamma, Cheung Chau or Peng Chau islands, Hong Kong’s intrinsic link to the ocean becomes pretty clear! From its origins as a fishing village to today’s metropolis on the harbour, we owe the ocean everything. She drives climate, stabilises temperature, provides most of our oxygen and shapes the earth’s chemistry. She provides the fish we eat, the air we breathe, the water we drink and cleans the atmosphere. But development, pollution and over-fishing is putting our ocean at risk. It’s a human problem that needs a human solution. That’s where we come in! To celebrate World Ocean Day 2024, we’re bringing you five fun activities to teach our kids the value of our ocean and how to take care of her.

1. Plan A Plastic Free Picnic For World Ocean Day

Plastic pollution is the ocean’s biggest environmental problem. Humans are polluting the seas at an alarming rate with 8 million tons of plastic being dumped in the ocean every year. That’s the equivalent of on full dump truck of plastic every minute.

Challenge your kids to create a picnic by the sea using no plastic. Think a picnic rug and cloth napkins, glass bottles and containers, candles, crockery and silverware, or a plastic free lunch box for the kids. With this set-up, it’s sure to be a special occasion. You’ll be the classiest picnickers on the beach!

2. Gamify Your Beach Make-Over For World Ocean Day

We’re re-branding beach cleanups so you don’t skip right over this idea because beach cleanups are a whole lot of fun! Make it a game and challenge your little ones to fill up a bag for a prize or make it a competition between friends or siblings. Who can fill it the fastest? Who can find the most straws? Blue items? Footwear! It’s lovely patrolling the seaside together, discovering the strange objects that are washed up onshore. It also brings about a whole new level of awareness regarding the proper disposal of garbage. Recycling in Hong Kong has never been so important.

3. Visit A Marine Park At Hoi Ha Marine Park

Visiting a museum with the kids in Hong Kong is always fun, and the outdoor adventures are no exception! Open Wednesdays to Sundays, your family can take a tour of the research and education centre at Hoi Ha Marine Park and then ride on their glass-bottomed boat. Kids really get a kick out of seeing the fish and corals in the underwater world below them. And it’s great to show your support for Hong Kong’s first Marine Protected Area. World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has a list of eco-visits available.

4. Blue-Themed World Ocean Day Movie Night

Films like “Finding Nemo” are an effortless way of helping younger children to relate to the underwater world. After one (or 100!) viewings they’ll be passionate about the sea because they want to save Nemo and Dory.

Sitting down with older kids to watch more confronting documentaries like “A Plastic Ocean” or BBC’s “Blue Planet” series is an easy way of educating them about the beauty and threats to the ocean. Afterwards, take time to discuss with them the ways in which you can change your own behaviour to make a positive impact. We love the list by Plastic Free Seas that you can use for inspiration and discussion points. Teachers and parents will also like Plastic Free Seas’ newly-launched lesson plans to teach kids about Hong Kong’s plastic pollution problem.

5. Source Your Sustainable Seafood

With Hong Kong being the second-largest consumer of seafood in Asia, we can make a real impact on restoring local fish stock by supporting sustainable fisheries. You can do this by buying the right type of seafood from the right sources. But how do we know what’s right?

Use the WWF’s online Seafood Guide to create a poster with your kids. Have them draw or cut out pictures of the good, okay and bad fish to buy and post it on your fridge for easy reference. Let them be as creative as they like. Maybe they will put glitter on the good fish or put big red crosses through the bad ones. It’s a great activity in research, grouping things, drawing and using their letters. There is also a Hong Kong WWF sponsored supermarket ratings list for more sustainable shopping.

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published by Tonya Ward in June 2023 and updated by Team Sassy Mama in May 2024.

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Where To Volunteer In Hong Kong: 20 NGOs And Charity Organisations

Tue, 05 Sep 2023 22:00:00 +0000

If you or your family are looking for volunteer opportunities in Hong Kong, NGOs and charity organisations like HandsOn and the Salvation Army are always accepting volunteers.

Hong Kong may have us living on the busy end of the spectrum, but there’s no denying that we can all afford to make time for causes and community services we care about (plus, the more hands, the merrier!). Investing your efforts into worthwhile NGOs and charitable organisations can be one of the most meaningful ways to spend your hours. Be it donating, contributing to the team, or even simply spreading the word about where to volunteer. From volunteering to help domestic workers to animal welfare and elderly care (to name a few), there are plenty of NGOs and charity organisations in Hong Kong doing inspiring (and necessary) work.

HandsOn Hong Kong – A connecting platform to join hands in volunteering

As an affiliate of the international volunteer network, HandsOn Network (HON) helps charities meet their volunteer needs. By pairing individuals who want to give back to the community with meaningful missions, there is plenty that you can participate in. Get started by simply signing up!

HandsOn Hong Kong, Room A, 9th Floor, Easy Tower, 609-611 Tai Nan West Street, Cheung Sha Wan, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 2481 8092, www.handsonhongkong.org

HELP for Domestic Helpers (HDH) – Empowering Foreign Domestic Helpers through education and more

HDH provides domestic helpers with free advice and support. Volunteers who can help with grant writing and advocacy translation (especially Tagalog, Bahasa Indonesia, Malagasy, Cantonese or Mandarin) are very useful. As well as office administration, fundraising, event management, media, PR or communications volunteers.

HELP for Domestic Helpers, Room 606, 299QRC, 287-299 Queen’s Road Central, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, 2523 4020, www.helpfordomesticworkers.org

ImpactHK – Hong Kong charity organisation to help those homeless in the city

As a Hong Kong-based charity, ImpactHK is dedicated to supporting people living without homes in Hong Kong. Volunteers are invited to help make an impact at the various events. Check out what’s coming up on the ImpactHK Facebook page.

ImpactHK, 5A, 5/F, Splendid Centre, 100 Larch Street, Tai Kok Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 2448 5200, www.impacthk.org

Christian Action – Volunteering work to help those with physical and psychological needs and marginalised groups

With a goal to serve people who are disadvantaged, marginalised, displaced or abandoned, Christian Action provides pro-bono legal and psychosocial help. It also offers abused domestic helpers refuge in safe shelters, amongst a range of other services.

Christian Action, 55 Clear Water Bay Road, Choi Wan Estate, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 2382 3339, www.christian-action.org.hk

Changing Young Lives Foundation – Charity organisation empowering youth through education and development

The foundation serves young people in need from Hong Kong and China. Volunteers help with a number of services and activities including tutoring, mentoring, skill coaching and training. It requires help with fundraising, surveys and research.

Changing Young Lives Foundation, LG3, Kin Tin House, Pak Tin Estate, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 2511 0505, www.changingyounglives.org.hk

Hong Kong Dog Rescue (HKDR) – Animal welfare and adoption volunteer work in Hong Kong

As one of Hong Kong’s most active and successful dog re-homing organisations, Hong Kong Dog Rescue volunteers are primarily dog walkers. The organisation is also looking for volunteers interested in professional photography, graphic design, event planning, and fundraising, so get in touch if you fit the bill!

HKDR, 6 Shek Lin Road, Tai Po, New Territories, Hong Kong

HKDR, Shop 4, G/F, Brilliant Court, Sai-Hong Lane, No.28 Praya, Kennedy Town, Hong Kong, www.hongkongdogrescue.com

Crossroads Foundation – Volunteer to distribute necessities to those in need and more

Hong Kong-based charity, Crossroads Foundation assists people in need by distributing valuable goods, partnering with global companies looking to make a difference, providing simulation experiences and much more. Check out the specific ways you can volunteer here.

Crossroads Foundation, Crossroads Village, 2 Castle Peak Road, Gold Coast, Tuen Mun, New Territories, Hong Kong, 2984 9309, www.crossroads.org.hk

Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation – Hands-on patient support or admin and events volunteering

With a team of psychologists, registered nurses, social workers and breast cancer survivors, the Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation (HKBCF) offers a diversified support service from treatment preparation to recovery. Volunteers help through hands-on patient support, assisting at fundraising events and public education activities and volunteering at homes. Also, providing services such as translation, editing, proofreading, design work, and administrative support.

Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation, 28 Lung Cheung Road, Ngau Chi Wan, Kowloon, Hong Kong

Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation, 22/F, Jupiter Tower, 9 Jupiter Street, North Point, Hong Kong, www.hkbcf.org

Hong Kong Girl Guides Association – Volunteer leaders to help with empowerment for girls and young women

Girl Guides have been working with girls and young women in Hong Kong for over a century. The hugely varied, girl-led programme embraces everything from current global issues to adventure sports to social action and everything in between. Volunteer leaders work with Happy Bees (4 to 6 years), Brownies (7 to 10 years) and Guides (11 to 15 years) in weekly meetings on Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, New Territories and the outlying islands.

Hong Kong Girl Guides Association, 8 Gascoigne Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 2332 5523, www.hkgga.org.hk

Justice Centre Hong Kong – Long-term volunteer to aid refugees in Hong Kong

This nonprofit human rights organisation works fearlessly to protect the rights of Hong Kong’s most vulnerable forced migrants. Including survivors of torture, human trafficking and forced labour, as well as refugees, and other people seeking protection. Most volunteer opportunities require a long-term commitment (usually six months).

Justice Centre Hong Kong, theDesk, 511 Queens Road West, Sai Wan, Hong Kong, 3109 7359, www.justicecentre.org.hk

MindHK – Mental health advocates in need of volunteers to do admin or professional help

You are not alone, Mind HK is a mental health charity that destigmatises talks around mental well-being and you can play your part by volunteering to help in content translation, web design and event management. You can also volunteer to provide a lecture or educational workshop if you are a professional and trained psychologist or psychiatrist. Of course, there are always two sides to the story. Aside from professionals, all individuals are welcome to share their own battles with mental health to help those struggling now.

MindHK, Unit B, 18/F One Capital Place 18 Luard Road Wan Chai, Hong Kong, 3643 0869, www.mind.org.hk

Lifelong Animal Protection Charity (LAP) – Looking for volunteers to help with animal welfare and adoption

LAP helps animals in Hong Kong find safe and loving homes. Volunteers help by organising events, walking dogs, bottle-feeding motherless puppies and kittens. Plus, matching shelter pets with the right prospective adopters and more.

LAP, 11 First Street, Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong, www.lap.org.hk

The Zubin Foundation – NGO in Hong Kong raising social issues and empowering ethnic minorities

The Zubin Foundation is an independent nonprofit organisation working to raise awareness about social issues that do not receive enough attention in Hong Kong. Whether you’re an experienced professional or a student, all volunteers are welcome. Graphic design, project management, IT, or marketing skills are particularly useful at the moment.

The Zubin Foundation, Unit F, 5th Floor, High Fashion Center, No. 1 Kwai Hei Street, Kwai Fong, Hong Kong, 2540 9588, www.zubinfoundation.org

Mother’s Choice – Local NGO offering child care, foster care, adoption, sexual health education and support to young mothers

As a well-known baby and children’s charity, Mother’s Choice is looking for volunteers to support as a photographer or videographer, graphic designer, administrative assistant, translator, or child care assistant. There is also a student volunteer programme, encouraging kids to get involved.

Mother’s Choice, various locations across Hong Kong, www.motherschoice.org

Pathfinders – Helping pregnant domestic helpers and their vulnerable children through law and midwifery

Pathfinders helps vulnerable migrant children born in Hong Kong. Though many families in Hong Kong are lucky enough to benefit from the work of domestic helpers, some helpers who become pregnant end up in situations that may be harmful to their wellbeing. Volunteers with experience in anything from law to midwifery, to general admin are welcome!

Pathfinders, Unit 11C, Worldwide Centre 123 Tung Chau Street, Tai Kok Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 5500 5486, www.pathfinders.org.hk

Po Leung Kuk – Volunteers for elderly care and community service

Though Po Leung Kuk provides social services to families and children. Volunteers are also often needed for the Elderly Home to help them clean their homes and escort services for medical appointments. Plus, translation if you’re bilingual. You can volunteer here individually or as a corporate group (more helping hands are always welcome.).

Po Leung Kuk, 66 Leighton Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, 2277 8888, www.poleungkuk.org.hk

Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) – Animal welfare volunteers, humane education and foster care

Volunteers are encouraged to help with a range of work including dog walking, animal care, humane education, kennel keeping and finding animals in their forever homes. You can also volunteer to foster the animals until they are adopted (a lot of the time, adopting them themselves!).

SPCA, various locations across Hong Kong, 2802 0501, www.spca.org.hk

The Child Development Centre (CDCHK) – Classroom support and other volunteers in Hong Kong

This non-profit provides tailored early intervention for all children with developmental or special educational needs. Regular, committed volunteers are trained to provide classroom support. Other volunteers are welcome on a less frequent basis within your areas of expertise.

The Child Development Centre, 4/F Prime Mansion, 183-187 Johnston Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, 2849 6138, www.cdchk.org

The Salvation Army – Mentorship, elderly care and event management volunteering in Hong Kong

A well-known international Christian church and charity, The Salvation Army welcomes all individuals, organisations and corporates to volunteer. You can aid as a one-off fundraising activity volunteer (it hosts charity sales, carnivals, running races and festive home-visits during the Mid-Autumn Festival, Christmas and Chinese New Year). Or, become a regular volunteer to help with tutoring, mentorship and elderly care.

The Salvation Army, 2783 2323, www.salvationarmy.org.hk

The Women’s Foundation – Challenging gender stereotypes and empowering women in poverty

This non-profit organisation is dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls living in our city. Volunteers help as English instructors, running skills workshops and participating in planned equality events, all the way to breaking gender stereotypes and empowering women to pursue their passion.

The Women’s Foundation, 9A, Chun Wo Commercial Centre, 23-29 Wing Wo Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, 2592 8264, www.twfhk.org

More NGOs And Charities For Volunteering In Hong Kong

EcoDrive – Promotes the awareness and reduction of single-use plastic in Hong Kong. www.ecodrivehk.com.
Feeding Hong Kong – Driving to and from food drop-offs, by working as a delivery assistant, or on a more long-term basis as a Community Cooking Class Chef! www.feedinghk.org.
Food Angel – Help with food collection, preparation and distribution to give to families in need. www.foodangel.org.hk.
Green Hub – Helping with educational programmes and activities, low-carbon catering, and co-op market gardening. www.greenhub.hk.
The Child Development Centre (CDCHK) – Committed volunteers are trained to provide classroom support, and other volunteers are welcome on a less frequent basis within your areas of expertise. www.cdchk.org.
Vision First – Fight for equal rights for refugees in Hong Kong and help raise awareness of issues they face. www.vfnow.org.

If you have an organisation in need of volunteers, please email sassy@sassymamahk.com or sassy@sassyhongkong.com and we’ll do our best to include it.

Editor’s Note: “Where To Volunteer In Hong Kong: 20 NGOs And Charity Organisations” was originally published by Tania Shroff and most recently updated in August 2023 by Fashila Kanakka. Special thanks to Alex Purcell Garcia for her contribution.

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“All Children Deserve A Fair Start In Life” Sassy Mama Supports: PathFinders Hong Kong

Tue, 02 May 2023 22:00:50 +0000

PathFinders directly serves Hong Kong’s most vulnerable babies born to migrant domestic workers, we take a closer look at what the organisation does and how we can all get involved.

Domestic helpers are the backbone of Hong Kong. With May being Helper Appreciation Month and International Domestic Workers Day coming up in June, we’re taking this opportunity to show our token of appreciation for the immense work our helpers do on a day-to-day basis.

Beyond their warm smiles and generous nature, migrant domestic workers face more than a handful of hurdles, to say the least. Perhaps the biggest challenge of all, juggling pregnancy and maternity leave. Many helpers conceal their bump in fear of having their contract terminated and it can be a tricky situation for both parties involved. This is where PathFinders Hong Kong, a non-profit organisation ensures the mother, baby and employer have the smoothest transition possible. We talk to its Director of Fundraising, Harriet Beavis on how PathFinders handles this issue and how we can contribute.

Tell us about Pathfinders. What’s the main issue you tackle?

PathFinders is the only Hong Kong charity dedicated to supporting the unique vulnerabilities of children born to migrant mothers (either current or former).

“We are guided by the fundamental belief that all children deserve a fair start in life.”

Since 2008, PathFinders has helped over 10,400 migrant mothers and children facing crisis to find a path to a brighter future, and this year is particularly special and meaningful for us as we’re turning 15!

How serious is the issue of Foreign Domestic Helpers being told to leave their jobs if they get pregnant? What options do domestic workers have if this happens to them?

Every year 500 children and their migrant mothers seek our specialist care and protection.

Most of the pregnancies we see are unplanned, and as a result, the expectant mother may conceal her pregnancy, resign or their employment contract may be terminated as neither they nor their employer know what else to do.

When this happens the expectant mother immediately becomes homeless and within two weeks, when her working visa expires she loses access to healthcare, vital for her unborn child.

What does Pathfinders do to educate both the domestic workers and the employees on this issue?

Hong Kong currently employs 340,000 migrant domestic workers and it’s set to rise up to 600,000 with our rapidly ageing population. Many of these domestic helpers are of childbearing age but they lack reproductive health knowledge. We therefore adopt an educational and preventative approach towards ensuring every pregnancy is considered and planned, thereby enabling a clear, stable and brighter future path for every child.

When a domestic helper gets pregnant, many employers lack sufficient and accurate information to guide them on how to support the pregnancy. This is why we created a step-by-step guidebook, My Worker is Pregnant that seeks to support employers through their emotions and onto a path that gives them, their worker and their household the solutions they need.

We are also working to influence systemic and policy change to overcome some of the key challenges faced by employers when their domestic helper is pregnant. This includes the legal requirement to live in and a lack of affordable solutions for temporary cover during maternity leave, particularly for those with young children and/or elderly parents who are more reliant on their helpers.

What would be your top piece of advice for employers who find out their helper is pregnant? Or what is the best thing an employer can do to support their worker if they are pregnant?

When an employer finds out their helper is pregnant, they may feel confused, shocked and even betrayed. Their mind may race with multiple questions and concerns, “She came here to work, why did she get pregnant?” or “My husband and I work full time – can she cope with caring for my young children when she is pregnant?” and so on.

“These are all very real concerns that without careful thought and planning can result in a migrant domestic worker being unlawfully terminated, pressured to leave or resign – actions that may ultimately cause the helper and her child to fall into a crisis.”

The good news is that after the initial shock, many employers have been able to work through the challenges and come up with practical solutions for their households and their workers.

What is your latest campaign?

This year is our 15th anniversary and we have lined up a number of events where the public can learn about our work, the future we desire for migrant mothers and their children and how they can contribute.

In the run-up to Mother’s Day, we have invited award-winning photographer Xyza Cruz Bacani from New York for an exhibition that showcases a raw and insightful look into migration and motherhood through a series of thought-provoking photographs from her renowned book, We Are Like Air. She will also be one of the panelists (along with Dr Lucy Jordan from HKU and PathFinders CEO, Catherine Gurtin) for a deep dive into the issues faced by foreign domestic helpers.

How can people get involved?

We can’t do what we do without your generous support. There are numerous ways you can help by either donating money, volunteering your time and expertise, partnering with us, donating baby supplies, or simply spreading the word about our service!

You can also show your support this Mother’s Day by donating here to help us care for and support vulnerable migrant mothers and babies, investments of HK$500 or more before Mother’s Day will receive a fun and meaningful Pioneers Pack – pass it on to a child you know – they have the potential to be the next changemaker!

For more steps on how to get involved, you can check its website or reach out to PathFinders via donations@pathfinders.org.hk or volunteers@pathfinders.org.hk, or 5500 5486.

The post “All Children Deserve A Fair Start In Life” Sassy Mama Supports: PathFinders Hong Kong appeared first on Sassy Mama.

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3 Speakers Not To Miss At TEDxTinHauWomen 2022

Sun, 06 Nov 2022 22:00:19 +0000

One of our favourite, inspirational events of the year is back – TEDxTinHauWomen 2022 brings you “In Bloom”!

Are you ready to bloom? Here we are in 2022, blossoming and opening our hearts to the world to emerge as strong, radiant women! This year the theme for TEDxTinHauWomen is In Bloom, setting the tone as we hear from some truly inspirational speakers, enlightening us on topics as diverse as organised crime and censorship, sustainability and psychology and so much more.

Here’s a snapshot of three inspiring speakers presenting at TEDxTinHauWomen this year.

Anna Robb — Emergency Decision Making

It’s our worst nightmare as parents and something we, unfortunately, have to ask ourselves — what would you do when faced with an emergency? After spending much of her life running highly technical and acrobatically ambitious theatrical shows (think Cirque du Soleil and House Of Dancing Water), Anna Robb is better placed than most to explain exactly how you make those split-second decisions that keep cast and crew safe while the audience looks on.

Jen Flowers — On Lying

Who better to speak at TEDxTinHauWomen than the former chair herself, Jen Flowers. Engaging with a topic all Mamas can relate to, lying. Whether that’s a “harmless” little white lie in passing, to mistruths that have life-altering consequences, there’s no denying that at times, we’ve all had something to hide. Born and raised in Hong Kong, Jen shines a light on the lies perpetuated by women in the city and more importantly, why we do it!

Irene Cheng — On Plastic Fantastic

It’s no secret that plastic waste is a problem and when it comes to going green here in Hong Kong it certainly can feel like fighting an uphill battle. Enter, Irene Cheng, one inspirational Mama! In 2019, she set a highly creative challenge — to create a public bench made entirely from plastic waste collected from the Sha Tin community. Hear from this sustainability advocate as she suggests ways to ensure that more plastic waste be upcycled and in turn, encourage Hong Kongers to embrace recycling.

More From TEDxTinHauWomen

These ladies are just three from the incredible lineup at this year’s TEDxTinHauWomen. Check out the full lineup here, book your tickets now, and prepare to be inspired.

When: Thursday, 1 December 2022; 1pm to 7pm
Where: Grand Theatre, Xiqu Centre, 88 Austin Road West, West Kowloon
How much: $600
Contact: TEDxTinHauWomen
Tickets: Book here

The post 3 Speakers Not To Miss At TEDxTinHauWomen 2022 appeared first on Sassy Mama.

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