C ST OV O ER RY
A force of good
These Hong Kong charities and social enterprises are on a mission to bring the city back to life – here’s how you can be involved with their causes, Charmaine Ng finds out
Fundraising platforms In the hot seat with Jo SooTang What inspired you to start Cookie Smiles? My business partner Agnes and I have been helping the community for many years. I have personally volunteered at a range of local non-profit organisations, but we wanted to make a difference in our own humble way. Being jobless is not an option in Hong Kong as it is one of the world’s most expensive cities to Agnes Chin and Jo Soo-Tang started online fundraising platform Cookie Smiles to amidat the coronavirus outbreak support the disadvantaged
Cookie Smiles
What it’s about Cookie Smiles is a social enterprise and online fundraising platform based around selling cookies, a much-loved comfort food. Born in the span of a few weeks during the coronavirus pandemic, when charities are finding it even harder to sustain donations and fundraising efforts, the enterprise aims to help support three chosen charities each year under the umbrella of the Edible Arts Global Academy Association. At the same time, it is also reaching out to the socially disadvantaged and physically impaired by offering training and job opportunities to keep them gainfully employed. cookiesmiles.com.hk Why you should care A portion of the proceeds raised from the sales of Cookie Smiles’ products is donated to three charities: Splash Foundation, which runs free adult swimming programmes for migrant domestic workers and refugees, as well as for kids from low-income communities; Down Syndrome Association HK, which 20 expat-parent.com
serves individuals with Down Syndrome, intellectual disabilities or other disabilities with family support and vocational rehabilitation services; and Nesbitt Centre, which provides adapted programmes that aim to empower individuals with learning disabilities to achieve independent living. Concurrently, supporting Cookie Smiles means supporting its two apprentice bakers, Ah Mei and Wei Wei, who are in their mid-fifties and admirably overcame redundancies in previous jobs. How to help Simply purchase a handcrafted cookie pack for $100! Cookie Smiles is available at all branches of Feather and Bone.
live in. Redundancy is not an option, for that same reason.Through Cookie Smiles, we are able to offer training opportunities and provide jobs for the physically impaired. Why is Cookie Smiles important to you? I have always wanted to develop a selfsustaining business that engages the community. This is why Cookies Smiles’ formula as a social enterprise is so exciting for Agnes and me. What do you hope to achieve with the project? Our three main goals this year is to work with corporations that want to do good for the local community, support at least three charities and help disadvantaged individuals find employment.
