UWC Graduates & Friends Giving Back to Hong Kong
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About Us
We are a group of United World College (“UWC”) alumni.
In 2020, we embarked on this exciting journey with the desire to give back and make a difference. We initiated a drive to help families and children in Hong Kong who are suffering from the brunt of economic downturn brought about by the COVID-19 crisis.
Thank you to all generous donors, we fundraised more than HK$400,000 and assisted in the in-kind donation of masks and sanitizers to those in need via two school communities.
Yet many low income families continue to experience challenges including loss of jobs, salary freeze or reduction. Within these families, some are experiencing severe financial difficulties.
We continue to call for donations to support these students’ families, as many are still going through very challenging times.
We also look for those who may volunteer their time and/or expertise in the next stage of our movement of giving back.
UWC makes education a force to unite people, nations and cultures
for peace and a sustainable future.
UWC fosters a lifelong commitment to social responsibility and, to date, it has inspired a worldwide network of more than 60,000 alumni, who believe it is possible to take action and make a difference locally, nationally and internationally.
Our Giving Back team participated in the kick-off of the 30th Anniversary Celebration of Li Po Chun United World College of Hong Kong and the 50th Anniversary Celebration of UWC Hong Kong Committee on November 26, 2022.
Please click here for more details on the event.
Our Goals
No Gift is Too Small
We continue to appeal to the UWC Hong Kong community to support families and children in our city who are suffering from the brunt of economic downturn brought about by the COVID-19 crisis.
Target Groups:
Low income families in districts such as Sham Shui Po which have no other immediate cash sources enough to cover urgent needs.
Our Channels:
We go through schools who are our trusted distribution partners that have immediate access and accountable channels to reach these families and children in need in Hong Kong.
Schools We Support
Selective Student Stories
Here are some stories of the students whom we are supporting via the schools. We mask their identities for privacy protection.
Case 1
The student lives in a five-people household with only one-working adult. The father works in the logistics sector and has been taking turn to take no-paid leave at work. They have already applied Working Family Allowance Scheme (在職家庭津貼計劃) but is yet to be approved. Income is unstable and they are worried that they can no longer afford rental and other living expenses before the WFAS is approved.
Case 2
The student’s mother has been relying on taking care of neighbors’ children to earn household living, but recently her neighbor lost her job due to Covid-19, and cannot afford to hire the student’s mother anymore. As the student’s mother needs to take care of her son, she cannot find a job outside.
The student’s father is in heavy debt and cannot support her and her son financially. Even though the parents have been separated, the student’s father does not want to file for divorce and so the mother and her children cannot apply for government housing and CSSA.
Case 3
The student’s family has a monthly rental expense of HK$4,500 and utility expense of HK$800. The father is the only working adult and has been forced to go on no-pay leave due to Covid-19. They are starting to exhaust their savings and have dragged on paying rent for one month.
Case 4
The mother has lost her job for half a year and cannot reconnect with her ex-husband for support. She cannot even afford to pay for her children’s books and has been unable to pay for 2 months of rental. She said that there was not much savings and has difficulty in sustaining basic living.
Case 5
Due to COVID-19, the student’s father income has been largely reduced and become very unstable. The student’s mother does not take care of the family and is not cooperative in the family’s application for CSSA.
Our Milestones
Cash Donation to SKH Kei Oi Primary School
1Q 2020
Our cash donation of HK$100,000 to SKH Kei Oi Primary School supported ~50 families in the form of emergency cash stipend. Within less than 4 weeks, Kei Oi was able to survey the parents and establish a mechanism to identify, correspond, recommend and approve families in need for the cash stipend program. We were grateful to have worked with such a caring and collaborative school community.
In-Kind Donation of Masks
2Q 2020
We were grateful to have received the donation of 250 boxes of face masks from one single donor family in the UWC Graduates & Friends community. The face masks were delivered to SKH St. Andrew's Primary School successfully in April. Together with UWCGO (thanks for their committee's support to our initiative!) we visited SKH St. Andrew's Primary School.
Cash Donation to Kei Oi Primary School
2Q 2020
On May 26, 2020, we delivered our 2nd round of cash donation of HK$150,000 to SKH Kei Oi Primary School to support their Emergency Relief Fund programme.
In-Kind Donation of Surgical Masks and Hand Sanitizers
2Q/3Q 2020
Our fellow alumni and friends donated some surgical masks and hand sanitizers individually and through their own network to the schools.
Third Cash Donation to Kei Oi Primary School
4Q 2020
We delivered our third batch of cheque donations of HK$70,000 to Kei Oi Primary School on October 16, 2020.
After-school Tutoring School Bus Sponsorship
4Q 2020
We sponsored the school bus service for after-school tutoring programme for students at SKH St. Andrew's Primary School.
Visit to Kei Oi Primary School with LPCUWC staff & students
2Q 2021
Kei Oi Primary School invited us and LPCUWC Development Director (Willie), Outreach Manager (Adrian) and Initiative for Peace Student Leader (Phoebe) to Kei Oi in June 2021 to discuss about a potential pilot cultural exchange program for Kei Oi students.
Fourth Cash Donation to Kei Oi Primary School
4Q 2021
We helped to deliver our fourth batch of cheque donations of about HK$100,000 from alumni & friends to Kei Oi Primary School on August 26, 2021.
Fundraising during the Fifth Omicron Wave of COVID
1H 2022
In the fifth omicron wave, we fundraised more than HK$120,000 for Kei Oi Primary School's emergency relief efforts. Funds were used towards purchasing supplies including rapid antigen test (RAT) kits, portable purifiers, food packs, etc.