New Years Resolution – make this one count!
Around this time of year, with the western world having just starting a new year, and the Chinese about to, this is the time of year when most of us are making grand plans and promising that THIS year it will all be better…
Often these new years resolutions are rather "selfish", as they revolve around OURSELVES and almost always are aimed at self-improvement of some kind. We vow to make ourselves better, and better looking. Often resolutions include one of the following:
- Go on a diet (again!)
- Take a step up on the career ladder (I really DO deserve a promotion!)
- Do a detox or a cleanse (try again, last time I failed..)
- Travel more (don't we always vouch to do exactly this?!)
- Drink more water (one vow we SHOULD always take, and stick to..)
…and the list goes on and on and on…
Unsurprisingly, most people fail in sticking to their New Year's resolutions. From what we have heard (and it seems plausible) – a staggering 22% of people fail after just ONE week of making the promise, 40% after one month, half, 50% after just three months, and a whole 60% after six months…
Equally important to physical wellbeing, yet not as straight-forward, is ensuring emotional and mental well-being.This year, how about taking a pledge that involves not doing more for yourself, but for OTHERS instead?
Vow to do something for others, which will not only help the recipient, but it will also actually make YOU feel great – we promise!
Often you don't have to commit to social enterprises, charities or other life-improving organisations regularly, but whenever your schedule allows you to.
Despite this, we do strongly encourage you to set yourself a reminder or write a post-it on your front door, because otherwise (as our busy lives take over and we forget), the risk is that you will fail this new years resolution TOO..
Research indicates that volunteering boosts self-esteem, well being and health—especially mental health. We also encourage you to look out for those around you who may be experiencing a tough time. Just a word of encouragement or a helping hand when the world is overwhelming can go a long way..
Here are a few of the ways you can get involved with the less fortunate in Hong Kong and the region, and make an impact:
FOODLINK
Founded in 2001, Foodlink Foundation is a registered Hong Kong charity dedicated to fighting hunger, building self-sufficiency, and fostering nutritional wellness among those in need, while simultaneously reducing food wastage in hotels and F&B outlets in Hong Kong. The charity act as a bridge — dedicated to connecting the supply directly to the demand, as often as possible, by collecting safe-to-eat surplus food from F&B outlets all over the city and deliver to those in need. The benefits are twofold — while reducing hunger they also reduce the pressure on our city's landfills. Win Win we think!
Got any spare CNY cakes left over? Foodlink is currently collecting any surplus ones to distribute to the underprivileged elderly and families, while at the same time minimizing food waste.
Donation period: Feb 2 – 28, 2018
Requirements: Before Expiry / Best Before Date, Unopened and Individually Packed
Read more here and get in touch by emailing [email protected]
HANDS ON HONG KONG
Founded in 2007, the HandsOn Hong Kong mission remains to mobilize and empower the community to meet pressing social needs in Hong Kong through volunteer services.
Their vision is for a caring community that gives its time and talent to transform Hong Kong.
Join any of this organisations hundreds of programs taking place throughout the year.
Get in touch here and sign up here
REDRESS
Did you know that the fashion and textile industry is one of the world’s most polluting?
What better way to help keeping clothes out of our landfills than volunteering your time (or money) to this organisation that tries to cut waste out of fashion! They have many events on throughout the year so get involved and make a change (and clean out your wardrobe and donate to one of their charity shop events while you're at it! You will have more room, and your unused clothes will get a new life!)
Read more about them here and contact them here
HARMONY HOUSE
Established in 1985, Harmony House is the first shelter in Hong Kong for abused women and children. They offer preventative, therapeutic and developmental programs for affected families as well as organising community education programs, training multi-disciplinary professionals and advocating policies and legislation for victims of violence. As a volunteer, you can be part of one of the most proactively altruistic organisations in the city. Read more here
ROOM TO READ
World Change Starts with Educated Children.
Room to Read believes that education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty and focus their goals to help provide access to education to millions of children.
Room to Read seeks to transform the lives of millions of children in low-income countries by focusing on literacy and gender equality in education. Working in collaboration with local communities, partner organizations and governments, they develop literacy skills and a habit of reading among primary school children.
They also provide girls school scholarships and publish children's books in many Asian languages – all to help children read and write.
Volunteering with the Hong Kong Chapter is not only a great way to help further Room to Read’s mission but also an opportunity to develop new skills and make connections with like-minded individuals.
Get involved, volunteer today! Learn more here
