Impact Report: Ethnic Minority Youth – Investing in a Better Hong Kong

Ethnic Minority Youth

Investing in a Better Hong Kong

iREPORT mpact 2021-2023

#FutureProofYOUTH In the past few years, the ever-changing environment was no-doubt a challenge for everyone, especially youth. The closing of schools and public recreation areas has caused a serious rise in mental and physical health issues. The situation is even more acute for disadvantaged youth from the ethnic minority community.

Social research has revealed the vulnerability of Hong Kong’s ethnic minorities.* These difficulties include significantly below-average earnings, lower engagement in the workplace, and higher drop-out rates from school. The situation for ethnic minority youth is exacerbated by social stigma, resulting in few opportunities to visualize their future, explore their potential, discover their talents, or develop their self-confidence. ^ A huge thank you to The Hong Kong Club Foundation for supporting the work of Outward Bound Hong Kong to #FutureProofYOUth and providing opportunities to ethnic minority youth for an Outward Bound experience to allow them a chance to discover and develop their potential through Outdoor Experiential Education. Ultimately, they learn to care for themselves, others, and the world through challenging experiences in unfamiliar settings.

* SCMP: Hong Kong’s minorities poorly served on community projects, audit report reveals # SCMP: Hong Kong ethnic minorities fall through the cracks ^The Zubin Foundation. Ethnic Minority Youth Aspiration, Challenge, and Identity

18.1% 6% 54.5% Ethnic Minority Youth aged 13-19 who drop out before form 5

Ethnic Minority Youth aged 19-22 receiving university education

Ethnic Minority Children under 18 in poverty Source: SCMP: 57 per cent of Hong Kong’s ethnic minority children with special needs stop attending school

50 250

Participant Days

Ethnic Minority Participants

1

Partnering Organization

4

Location: OBHK Jetty

Partnering Schools

Unison Islamic Kasim Tuet Memorial College Delia Memorial School, Hip Wo Delia Memorial School, Glee Path Chinese YMCA Secondary School

About their journey

Location: Kai Lung Wan

Measuring Impact

The impact of OBHK’s courses is measured by the Outward Bound Outcomes Survey. This survey tool was developed and validated by a panel of leading academics, provides great insights, and allows us to quantify the impact of our work in 5 key areas: Resilience, SelfConfidence, Compassion, Social Competence, and Environmental Responsibility.

Our ImPact

Participant Development (Before vs. After the Course) Before

After 5.8

Compassion

6.8

+17%

6.7

+23%

5.5

Environmental Responsibility

5.2

Self-confidence

6.5

+25%

5.0

Social Competence

6.3 4.9

Resilience

+21%

5.9

0

2

4

+27%

6

8

The data in this report clearly show the difference OBHK makes to the outlook of the participants of Hong Kong Club Foundation - Ethnic Minority Youth (HKCF EMY), preparing them to contribute to Hong Kong's future success.

The data demonstrate that HKCF EMY participants have developed significantly across five key areas, and are supported by those who recognize the value of our work.

Our Outcome

COMPASSION The ability to sense the emotions and needs of others, and having the motivation and initiative to act.

COMPASSION is “empathy in action” and encompasses the ability to feel the emotions of others and be motivated to help.

Outward Bound programs provide participants with experiences that challenge their assumptions, encourage empathy, promote cultural awareness, and promote a greater understanding of the challenges faced by others.

This is particularly important in today’s interconnected world, where individuals are increasingly exposed to different cultures and perspectives.

Location: OBHK Base

53%

OF HKCF EMY PARTICIPANTS REPORTED INCREASED COMPASSION

17%

COMPASSION OF HKCF EMY PARTICIPANTS INCREASED

BY AN AVERAGE OF 17%

58% Our Outcome ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY

Awareness of connection to nature and demonstrating a sense of consciousness and stewardship for the natural world.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY involves connecting to nature, and fostering respect and responsibility for the environment - which is an essential part of all Outward Bound courses.

Many are increasingly spending time online rather than in the outdoors. For this reason, there is an urgent need to develop connections back with nature for the wellbeing of individuals, society, and the environment, especially with the severe environmental degradation across the world in recent years. This is especially important for youth in Hong Kong, as having grown up in a predominantly urban environment does not mean they should be disconnected from nature.

Location: Siu Tsan Chau

OF HKCF EMY PARTICIPANTS REPORTED INCREASED ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY

23%

ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY OF HKCF EMY PARTICIPANTS INCREASED BY AN AVERAGE OF 23%

Our Outcome

SELF CONFIDENCE Belief in one’s ability to succeed.

OBHK’s courses push participants beyond their limits and show that they are more capable than they believe.

Facing the challenges presented and achieving personal goals means the participants come out of our courses with increased SELF-CONFIDENCE and ready to face future challenges with renewed confidence.

61%

OF HKCF EMY PARTICIPANTS REPORTED INCREASED SELF CONFIDENCE

25%

SELF CONFIDENCE OF HKCF EMY PARTICIPANTS INCREASED BY AN AVERAGE OF 25%

Location: OBHK Jetty

Our Outcome SOCIAL

COMPETENCE

Social, emotional, and cognitive skills and behaviors needed to thrive as a member of society.

SOCIAL COMPETENCE refers to getting along with others, being able to form and maintain close relationships, and able to function peacefully and creatively in the community and social environments.

OBHK courses are uniquely crafted to create opportunities, in which participants from diverse backgrounds are to make connections with others through team-building activities, outdoor journeys, reflections, and giving feedback.

64%

OF HKCF EMY PARTICIPANTS SOCIAL COMPETENCE

27%

SOCIAL COMPETENCE OF HKCF EMY PARTICIPANTS INCREASED BY AN AVERAGE OF 27%

These experiences are helping participants to develop important social skills and competencies essential for them to advance in school, work and life.

Location: OBHK Base

Our Outcome

RESILIENCE

The ability to “bounce back” from, and adjust to adversity and challenges.

OBHK defines RESILIENCE as having the ability to “bounce back" from adversities. We have specifically incorporated it in our courses by placing participants in challenging and unfamiliar circumstances, so they learn to cope, adapt, persevere and discover ways to overcome challenges.

They leave our courses with increased resilience, which contributes to success later in life.

Location: OBHK Base

56%

OF HKCF EMY PARTICIPANTS REPORTED INCREASED RESILIENCE

21%

RESILIENCE OF HKCF EMY PARTICIPANTS INCREASED

BY AN AVERAGE OF 23%

Thank you

Our young people are our future and we have a duty to ensure that we are consciously equipping them with the skills required to succeed in an increasingly complex, uncertain, and evolving society.

The evidence in this Impact Report clearly demonstrates the positive impact Outward Bound Hong Kong (OBHK) has on our participants and makes the case for the same opportunity to be provided for more young people in Hong Kong.

The benefit of providing quality outdoor experiential education are well known and every Hong Kong youth deserves to benefit so that they can be part of Hong Kong's successful future. A report showed that every $1 invested in an Outward Bound experience returned $13 in social benefits during the participants' lifetime.

Thank you for being a part of our work to #FutureProofYOUth. We look forward to working with you more in the future.