Looking to find a CAS activity that is fulfilling, meaningful and maybe even fun? Struggling to find a charity with hours that you can weave around your busy student schedule which also accepts volunteers under 18? Look no further. We’ve done the research, and here are the results.These 3 NGO’s thrive off of the assistance of young people across Hong Kong, and working alongside them will not only add an impressive point to your CV, but also leave you with a warm feeling in your heart knowing that you have made a difference.
Birthday Happiness Asia
From the excitement of rowdy party games to the magical moment that the candles are blown out - every child deserves a birthday to look back on and remember, living on in their memories for years to come. Sadly though, there are many children in Hong Kong and around the world who do not have the means to celebrate their birthdays- a problem Birthday Happiness Asia tackles. The nonprofit organization arranges birthday parties for children across Asia who would not necessarily be able to celebrate otherwise. By collaborating with the child's social workers and teachers and relying heavily on donations, they make sure that the celebrant can choose who gets invited to their party, and they work hard to create an unforgettable experience for the child. The charity is always looking for student volunteers to help bake and decorate cakes for the occasion, as well as run the activities and decorate the venues before the party. This is the perfect job for people who enjoy working with children, and because the parties are run on the weekends the volunteering hours fit into school schedules perfectly.
HK Cleanup
Ridding the city of the thousands of tons of litter seemingly covering every attraction in sight is no easy task- but Hong Kong Cleanup is no regular charity. The NGO works closely with the government to try and remove the debris strewn across the beaches and mountaintops of the city, relying almost entirely on volunteers to help get rid of as much rubbish as possible. One huge advantage of volunteering with Hong Kong Cleanup is that by helping clear up the piles upon piles of trash spread across Hong Kong, volunteers often become increasingly more conscious of their own ecological footprint and the effect that their waste has on the environment.One great thing about volunteering with Hong Kong Cleanup is that the company is extremely organised and transportation to the cleanup site for volunteers is both set up and paid for by the company, meaning the only tasks you have to do are to turn up and get cleaning- you never know, you may even make some friends along the way!
Feeding Hong Kong
Did you know that around 10% of the world's greenhouse gas emissions are caused by unconsumed food? Feeding Hong Kong's aim is to redistribute the food waste of Hong Kong's 7.4 million population. They do this by organising food drives thereby transferring what could have been a potentially huge wastage of food and a cause of greenhouse gas emissions, into a great opportunity to support people in need. Although under 18’s can't volunteer directly with redistributing the food itself, they can volunteer to become a “bread collector”- an easy but rewarding task where people of all ages can sign up to the simple job of transporting excess (but still perfectly edible) bread from bakeries across the city to the companies’ collection sites, a job that needs volunteers on a daily basis which is a straightforward task and can be completed on public transport.
This was so educational to me !!
This article has truly provided me with valuable insight into Hong Kong charities that are dedicated to helping the youth. I appreciate the author's efforts in showing these organizations and their important work. Kudos to the author.