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

Ethnic

Minority Youth Investing in a Better Hong Kong

REPORT impact 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: HongKong’sminoritiespoorlyservedoncommunityprojects,auditreportreveals # SCMP:HongKongethnicminoritiesfallthroughthecracks ^TheZubinFoundation.EthnicMinorityYouthAspiration,Challenge,andIdentity

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

6% Ethnic Minority Youth aged 19-22 receiving university education

54.5% Ethnic Minority Children under 18 in poverty

Source: SCMP: 57percentofHongKong’sethnicminoritychildrenwithspecialneedsstopattendingschool

Ethnic Minority Participants

50 Participant Days

1

250

4 Partnering Organization Partnering Schools

Islamic Kasim Tuet Memorial College

Delia Memorial School, Hip Wo

Delia Memorial School, Glee Path

Location: OBHK Jetty

Chinese YMCA Secondary School

Unison

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

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.

COMPASSION Our Outcome 53%

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.

OFHKCFEMYPARTICIPANTS REPORTEDINCREASED COMPASSION

17%

COMPASSIONOFHKCFEMY PARTICIPANTSINCREASED BYANAVERAGEOF17%

Location: OBHK Base

Our Outcome 58%

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.

OFHKCFEMYPARTICIPANTS REPORTEDINCREASED ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY

23%

ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITYOFHKCF EMYPARTICIPANTS INCREASEDBYANAVERAGE OF23%

Location: Siu Tsan Chau

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.

OFHKCFEMYPARTICIPANTS REPORTEDINCREASED SELFCONFIDENCE

SELF CONFIDENCE Our Outcome 61% 25%

SELFCONFIDENCEOFHKCF

EMYPARTICIPANTS

INCREASEDBYANAVERAGE OF25%

Location: OBHK Jetty

SOCIAL COMPETENCE Our Outcome 64%

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.

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

OFHKCFEMYPARTICIPANTS SOCIALCOMPETENCE

27%

SOCIALCOMPETENCEOF

HKCFEMYPARTICIPANTS

INCREASEDBYANAVERAGE OF27%

Location: OBHK Base

RESILIENCE Our Outcome 56%

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.

OFHKCFEMYPARTICIPANTS REPORTEDINCREASED RESILIENCE

21%

RESILIENCEOFHKCFEMY PARTICIPANTSINCREASED BYANAVERAGEOF23%

Location: OBHK Base

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.