Volunteering at Crossroads Foundation - 25 June
My colleague Cynthia Leong wrote this beautiful piece after our trip to Crossroad. I would love to share with everyone.
"Some people give time, some money, some their skills and connections, some literally give their life's blood. But everyone has something to give." Barbara Bush
It is true, we give our time, our money, our skills and our connections to our jobs and our daily lives to help others better their career paths but what about those people who lack the basic living needs including blankets to keep them warm at night and a simple pot to cook their only food in? Things we take for granted in our everyday lives and it made absolute sense for Peoplesearch Hong Kong to spend a day giving our time back to the community that so actively supports those in need across the world.
Crossroads International is a non profit organization and a driver of change in the lives of those experiencing extreme poverty in third world countries. Through delivering humanitarian aid, child relief, medical clinics and micro development, Crossroads International hopes to make a difference and better the lives of those in desperate need of our help. Located within an ex-military compound which is leased out to Crossroads for only HKD 1 dollar a year, the old buildings house the thousands of donations from people all over Hong Kong wanting to help and give back in any way, shape or form that they can. From old furniture, old computers and down to basic household and kitchen goods including spoons, mugs and plates, Crossroads accepts anything and everything that will make that someone's life a little easier everyday.
Armed with our company t-shirts and the spirit of compassion, the 17 of us took a long bus ride out to Tuen Mun to visit this ex army base with the aim to make that difference, whether big or small. Upon arriving, we were greeted by Gillian, the Director of Operations who was quick to brief us on the foundation and our respective duties for the day. Fortunately for the boys, it was the perfect timing for them to show off their strengths and hopefully all those gym sessions paid off as they were allocated the tough task of lifting and sorting furniture within the showroom. The ladies on the other hand - straight to the household and electrical goods department to sort out boxes of donated goods for re-distribution to countries including Zambia, India and Nepal.
Needless to say after a good four hours of solid work, we were all extremely appreciative of the privileged lives that we lead and recouped to share stories of our afternoon within the fair trade café (which we may add, housed a rather talented barista who volunteers for free). Subsequently, we managed to also visit the gift and souvenir boutique housing gifts hand made by those within third world countries - an initiative created by Crossroads to support small businesses in these countries.
We returned home with the gentle satisfaction of knowing that we had all made that simple difference in the lives of those in need and we all look forward to re-visiting Crossroads again soon.
To find out more, please visit www.crossroad.org.hk and you can also give something back in return.
"Some people give time, some money, some their skills and connections, some literally give their life's blood. But everyone has something to give." Barbara Bush
It is true, we give our time, our money, our skills and our connections to our jobs and our daily lives to help others better their career paths but what about those people who lack the basic living needs including blankets to keep them warm at night and a simple pot to cook their only food in? Things we take for granted in our everyday lives and it made absolute sense for Peoplesearch Hong Kong to spend a day giving our time back to the community that so actively supports those in need across the world.
Crossroads International is a non profit organization and a driver of change in the lives of those experiencing extreme poverty in third world countries. Through delivering humanitarian aid, child relief, medical clinics and micro development, Crossroads International hopes to make a difference and better the lives of those in desperate need of our help. Located within an ex-military compound which is leased out to Crossroads for only HKD 1 dollar a year, the old buildings house the thousands of donations from people all over Hong Kong wanting to help and give back in any way, shape or form that they can. From old furniture, old computers and down to basic household and kitchen goods including spoons, mugs and plates, Crossroads accepts anything and everything that will make that someone's life a little easier everyday.
Armed with our company t-shirts and the spirit of compassion, the 17 of us took a long bus ride out to Tuen Mun to visit this ex army base with the aim to make that difference, whether big or small. Upon arriving, we were greeted by Gillian, the Director of Operations who was quick to brief us on the foundation and our respective duties for the day. Fortunately for the boys, it was the perfect timing for them to show off their strengths and hopefully all those gym sessions paid off as they were allocated the tough task of lifting and sorting furniture within the showroom. The ladies on the other hand - straight to the household and electrical goods department to sort out boxes of donated goods for re-distribution to countries including Zambia, India and Nepal.
Needless to say after a good four hours of solid work, we were all extremely appreciative of the privileged lives that we lead and recouped to share stories of our afternoon within the fair trade café (which we may add, housed a rather talented barista who volunteers for free). Subsequently, we managed to also visit the gift and souvenir boutique housing gifts hand made by those within third world countries - an initiative created by Crossroads to support small businesses in these countries.
We returned home with the gentle satisfaction of knowing that we had all made that simple difference in the lives of those in need and we all look forward to re-visiting Crossroads again soon.
To find out more, please visit www.crossroad.org.hk and you can also give something back in return.
Comments
Post a Comment