Fundraising Activities Working against Poverty in Your Own Way A mother naturally loves and cares for her children unconditionally. Yet it takes a bigger heart to care about poor children in other parts of the world. The online social network group, “I love mama”, organised by a group of young mothers, shares tips on raising children and encourages mothers to work against poverty for Oxfam Hong Kong. In May last year, “I love mama” organised a Mother’s Day Charity Walkathon with 574 participants, which surpassed the record in the Guinness Book of Records and raised nearly HK$40,000 for Oxfam Hong Kong. In addition, the group donated to Oxfam HK$1 for each successful purchase through the “I love mama” online shopping platform. Ginny Tse, a spokesperson for “I love mama”, said, “We organised ‘I love mama’ not just because we wish to provide a platform for exchanging views and support for mothers, we also would like to unite the power of all mothers to help the poor all over the world, to help them stand on their own and put an end to poverty.” If you would like to create a group or activity to raise funds for Oxfam Hong Kong’s work against poverty, please contact Vicky NG. Tel: 3120 5258 Email: vickyn@oxfam.org.hk
Wedding Favours – Oxfam Unwrapped Every couple would like their Big Day to be special and unique. Oxfam Unwrapped offers a truly unique way of saying thanks to your guests, and sharing your joy with people who are less fortunate. Give a gift that gives twice! “We didn’t keep the favours from any of the wedding banquets we have attended. But two years ago, at a friend’s wedding party we received an Oxfam Unwrapped gift as the wedding favour. It was a meaningful gift that can help others, so we also decided to use Oxfam Unwrapped at our wedding,” Micki & Marcus said. Oxfam Unwrapped is a unique and meaningful wedding favour. For more details, please visit: www.oxfamunwrapped.org.hk
More Than 20 Years of Continuous Support to Oxfam Hong Kong In 1984 to 1985, when a great famine hit Ethiopia, the world responded. Maggie Young recalls, “The media alerted me to the disaster. I was shocked and saddened by the scenes. Then an idea flashed into my mind – we can make a difference if we act now.” Maggie immediately responded to Oxfam Hong Kong's appeal by making a monthly donation. Since then, Maggie has remained a committed supporter of Oxfam’s poverty alleviation work for more than 20 years. Maggie explained why she has continued her commitment to Oxfam Hong Kong, “It began with simply wanting to help people in need. Then gradually, I realised that there are still many people living in poverty, struggling to get by. There are also many issues affecting the world that need to be addressed. So I hope that by continuing my support to Oxfam I can change the world to a better place.”
Maggie learned about Oxfam’s work through Oxfam Express, our newsletter and email correspondence. Last year she decided it was time to see Oxfam’s projects first-hand. So she joined a trip to Gansu with seven other donors. The trip deepened her understanding of Oxfam’s poverty alleviation work. “I am pleased to see that Oxfam has done a good job in building basic infrastructure for poor communities. We visited a woman who runs a small grocery shop in a remote village. She told us that the livelihoods of her family have improved and her son has got married. Now, she has more leisure time for recreational activities. Her contented smile touched me. Happiness comes from being able to help others help themselves,” says Maggie. As a long-time supporter, Maggie has some suggestions for Oxfam Hong Kong. “I hope that Oxfam will do more advocacy work such as for gender equality. This is not easy and it will take some time before any impact can been seen, but it is worth doing!”
Maggie Young (left) learns about Oxfam’s work first-hand during a trip to Gansu, China