The epidemic continues in HK and around the world, seriously affecting all walks of life. In order to provide assistance to youth organisations so that they can maintain their services despite the current outbreak of COVID-19, the Greater Bay Area Homeland Youth Foundation has set up the Anti-Epidemic Support Fund, donating HKD 100,000 each to 30 charitable or non-profit organisations servicing the local youths, with a total amount of HKD 3 million. The fund has been released to the relevant groups in early April. The beneficiary organisations include RunOurCity, Barefoot Doctors, Social Ventures Hong Kong Foundation (SVHK), Hong Kong Youth and Tertiary Students Association (HKYTSA), Hong Kong Youth Leaders Development Association (YLDA) and Action Sports Foundation, covering sports, medical care, catering, leadership training, disability inclusion, youth employment and ethnic minority services. The supported organisations all said that due to the suspension of activities, their incomes and servicing audiences were greatly affected. This fund will help them to transform their service provisions and survive the epidemic in due time.

Mr. Kenneth FOK Kai-Kong, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Council and Convener of the Donation and Fund-raising Committee of the Greater Bay Area Homeland Youth Foundation said, "First of all, I would like to express my gratitude to the institutions which have been serving the youth. I hope that this donation of the Foundation can help them to continue their services despite this difficult period. Let’s all work together to fight against the epidemic and support the young people of Hong Kong.” Bin YANG, Chief Executive of the Foundation said, "We have reached out to these institutions and granted funds to support them promptly to help youth service institutions meet their urgent needs. "

Keep Moving!

With a total amount of HKD 3 million, The Foundation hopes to make every effort to assist youth service organisations in different fields. The Associate Program Director of RunOurCity Katherine Yu said that the " RunOurCity training classes" were either cut or cancelled. Coaches had no income and the students lost their sports opportunities. At such a time, the Anti-Epidemic Support Fund from the Foundation was like heavenly dew. “The Fund helps us transform. First, we set up an online virtual sports classroom, buy equipment, hire coaches to make videos to teach running, demonstrate yoga, stretching and fitness. We help students improve physical fitness, and expand their knowledge by using zoom or FB live online live broadcast, encourage real-time interaction. Everyone keeps moving," she said. “Second, to prepare for the resumption of classes in May and June, we will provide school services and talks, teach students how to use sports to reduce stress, and cultivate the spirit of optimism and never give up. "

Chief Executive of the Foundation Mr. Bin YANG and the Chief Executive of
RunOurCity Mr. Andes Pak-Hang LEUNG.

The first institution to give financial support

Another recipient of the Support Fund is the Action Sports Foundation. Its founder Ahmed Khan said that their hockey and cricket classes were suspended while the exchange training groups to Guangzhou and Macau were cancelled. All came to a standstill. Their previous constant funding could not be approved. The livelihood of more than ten coaches was greatly affected, and some of them were forced to do odd jobs such as delivery staff or cashiers in convenience stores. "Some of them are referees of international competitions and have been outstanding athletes who are admired by their students. They symbolize the elite who pursue their dreams in society. Now they are forced to change careers under the epidemic situation. It is really sad," said Ahmed Khan. Thanks to the Support Fund, they can film teaching videos, give the coach at least half of his usual income, and prepare for the activities after the epidemic. "This is the first and only institution to provide us with financial support during the outbreak, which has helped us a lot," he said. “In fact, I was very surprised, as if someone were protecting me from the storm, very kind indeed. "

Chief Executive of the Foundation Mr. Bin YANG and the Founder of Action Sports
Foundation Mr.Ahmed KHAN.

Helping the disabled and the underprivileged to gain dignity

In December 2018, Dignity Kitchen, an award-winning Singaporean sustainable social enterprise came to Hong Kong to localise and adapt the successful Dignity Kitchen model here. They provide training to prepare and enhance the employability of People with Disabilities (PWDs) so that they can gain dignity from their work. Guests are encouraged to sponsor meals to the people in need, allowing them to distribute 100 free lunch boxes to the homeless. However, the Dignity Kitchen which is located at 618 Shanghai Street in Mongkok was greatly affected by the epidemic, including the business of catering, banqueting and event services.

Singapore's headquarters can't bear to give up and mobilize funds to Hong Kong. However, due to the epidemic outbreak in Singapore, the resources of the headquarters are also tight. Seng Choon KOH, founder of Dignity Kitchen cannot even enter Hong Kong due to the border control, making it more difficult to guide Hong Kong Dignity Kitchen which is still in its infancy. Fortunately, they get the Anti-Epidemic Support Fund through Social Venture Hong Kong Foundation Limited, nearly forty employees can continue to be provided with training, salary and meals. At the end of this month, a new group of trainees can also receive six to eight weeks of training. Dignity Kitchen’s marketing executive Hannah Embasacdo said: "we are fortunate to be able to continue our business under such circumstances. We hope that in June this year, we will pass the full operation of Dignity Kitchen to the people of Hong Kong. "

 

Helping youth to enhance value in adversity

Supported entirely by volunteers, Barefoot Doctors has opened health stations in five remote areas of the mainland through donation of medical equipment which are now led by barefoot doctors. Volunteers will also visit left-behind children and the elderly in the mainland. On the other hand, its volunteers use new ultrasonic technology to conduct free clinic and examination for children who suffer from scoliosis. Chairman of Barefoot Doctors Ben CHAN Han-pan said that all of these services have been suspended because of the epidemic. The Support Fund allows them to send anti-epidemic materials to the medical front line. "We foresee that the economic downturn will affect young people's employment, so we will help them by conducting courses to improve their practical skills, such as online sales techniques," he said.

Executive Director of Hong Kong Youth and Tertiary Students Association (HKYTSA) Chris LAM Ka Tat said that this year's graduates will be under great pressure. Therefore, the Anti-Epidemic Support Fund will be used to purchase recording and radio equipment, and hold a series of online live employment talks, so as to help the graduating college students to better equip themselves, understand the trends of different businesses and improve employment opportunities in adversity. Chief Executive of Hong Kong Youth Leaders Development Association (YLDA)Onson POON Cheuk Man said he will set up an online platform for youth leaders with the Anti-Epidemic Support Fund, to facilitate their discussion and exchange on social issues, and actively organize the "Hong Kong simulation Legislative Council 2020", which will effectively gather young people's common understanding of policy issues and make people from all walks of life better understand young people's views on various current social issues.

Chief Executive of the Foundation Mr. Bin YANG and the Chief Executive of
HKYTSA Mr. Ka Tat LAM.

Chief Executive of the Foundation Mr. Bin YANG and the Executive Director of HKYLDA
Mr. OnsonCheuk-Man POON.

The Anti-Epidemic Support Fund has been allocated to relevant groups since early April, hoping to lead young people through the haze of the epidemic, realising the Foundation‘s vision “For Our Youth, For Our Future”.

About Greater Bay Area Homeland Youth Community Foundation

The Greater Bay Area Homeland Youth Community Foundation, established in September 2019, is a non-profit making organisation that mainly serves Hong Kong youths. To ride on the new era, new Greater Bay Area and new opportunities, the Foundation is a joint effort of youth leaders from various sectors. With a mission of 'For Our Youth For Our Future', we support youth development in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area by bringing leaders, resources and ideas together.

The Foundation takes education and training as the leading direction, carries out services to promote exchanges and support the youth in study, career and business development in the Greater Bay Area. Young people can gain a better understanding of the business environment and culture, which will be conducive to their personal and professional growth.

At the beginning of this year, the Foundation has launched two support programs for Hong Kong young people, namely, the "Guangdong Experience Exchange” and the "GBA Youth Project", which mainly aim to broaden their horizons, enhance their knowledge and skills.