Redress

Redress is an environmental NGO working to reduce waste in the fashion industry. They achieve this through a variety of programmes, initiatives and campaigns. Redress aims to enhance, educate and enable the adoption of a more sustainable fashion industry that helps to minimise the negative and maximise the positive impacts of the fashion industry on society and the environment. Collectively, Redress collaborates with a wide range of stakeholders, including fashion designers, textile and garment manufacturers, brands and retailers, schools and universities, private sector organisations, multilateral organisations, governments, NGOs, media organisations and consumers.

Examples of their programmes include:
* Clothing drives to collect unwanted secondhand clothing and accessory
* Hosting secondhand clothing pop-up shops
* Exhibitions to highlight the amount of clothing discarded into landfills

* Publication of the book Dress [with] Sense to help you:
BUY better and make more responsible choices when hitting the shops, WEAR your clothes more creatively, and rescue hidden treasures from the depths of your wardrobe, CARE for your clothes by learning better more environmentally friendly ways to wash, and DISPOSE of them by swapping, gifting, donating or recycling – anything but throwing them in the trash!

What you can do to help :
Internships
Redress has internship positions based in Hong Kong. Interns must commit to a minimum of three weeks full time.

Volunteer
Redress occasionally require volunteers with various skill sets. Only volunteers who have a considerable amount of time available will be considered.

For more information please email Redress at info@redress.com.hk

The Green Hub Volunteer Induction Day – 23 July

The Green Hub Volunteer Scheme
Volunteers at the Green Hub enrich and enhance the life of Green Hub and play a vital role in supporting a wide range of sustainable living educational programmes and conservation work. Volunteers are a valued and integral part of Green Hub donating a range of talents and skills to promote sustainable living and assist in the Green Hub’s daily operation. Green Hub hopes that they can both enjoy and learn from their volunteer experience at Green Hub.

Volunteer Opportunities
* Education programmes and activities
* Low carbon catering
* Co-op Market
* Gardening
* Visitor Centre

Requirement
* Hong Kong citizen aged 18 or above
* Appreciate sustainable lifestyle
* Interested in nature and heritage conservation
* Good presentation and communication skills
* Able to speak fluent Cantonese, basic English and Mandarin
* Able to attend their Volunteer Induction Day are preferred.

The Green Hub Volunteer Induction Day
The goal of the Induction Day is to provide an orientation for people who want to be a volunteer of the Green Hub. The Induction Day comprises an introduction about the Old Tai Po Police Station heritage revitalization project and its programmes and a guided walk of the Green Hub facilities. Participants will also have the opportunities to undertake sustainable living exercises to increase their own well-being and that of the community from a holistic perspective.

Date: Sunday, 23 July 2017

Time: 2-4pm

Place: Green Hub, 11 Wan Tau Kok Lane, Tai Po, Hong Kong

Language: Cantonese

How to Apply: Please fill out this link for the online application form

Application Deadline: 17 July 2017

Enquiry: Please contact Miss Leung at 2996 2833 / ghprog@kfbg.org

* Another Volunteer Induction Day will be on 29 Oct.

About The Green Hub: The Green Hub (the Old Tai Po Police Station) is a unique heritage place which is historically, architecturally and ecologically significant.

The Green Hub project has transformed the Old Tai Po Police Station, a Grade 1 historic heritage to hub for sustainable living. The Green Hub’s Heritage Tour is a free-of-charge service for visitors to learn how we conserve the historic and architectural values of the building, as well as the trees and the egretry of ecological importance at the Old Tai Po Police Station.

Under the Revitalising Historic Buildings through Partnership Scheme (the R-Scheme), Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden (KFBG) adopted an integrated approach to conserve the Old Tai Po Police Station and transform the historic heritage site into a Green Hub for sustainable living. Today, the Green Hub is an inspirational educational centre and offers wide-ranging educational opportunities for the public. Often described as a green oasis in the concrete jungle, it is a pioneer of low-carbon diet, and green architecture, a place for transformative education and an incubator for community collaboration on appropriate, affordable and sustainable alternatives.

The Green Hub project is recognised with an Honourable Mention in the 2016 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation in 2016. The Green Hub also receive the Grand Award (Existing Buildings Category: Completed Projects – Institutional Building) and Special Citation in Eco-service Infrastructure Network under the Green Building Award 2016 that is jointly organised by the Hong Kong Green Building Council and the Professional Green Building Council.

Computer Recycling Programme

This is not a volunteer opportunity but a great way to save the environment through the recycling of your old desktop computers, laptops, computer monitors (both cathode-ray tube and LCD types), printers, scanners, all computer-related products, such as keyboards, memory sticks, mouse units, headsets and speakers, communication products, such as mobile phones, dect phones, pagers, walkie talkies and routers.

How did it start?
It is estimated that there are over 6 million computers and computer accessories in use in Hong Kong and about one fifth of them are replaced each year. Although most of the discarded computers and their accessories are recycled/reused through the second-hand market, but a small fraction still end up in landfills.

Computer equipment contains materials that can be harmful to people and the environment. You can help avoid generating computer waste by not replacing your computer as frequently. If replacement is necessary, your used computer should be reused and recycled as far as possible. Computers contain components and materials that can be recovered, such as metals and plastics, and some old computers can be repaired and put to second-hand use.

To reduce the quantity of waste computers and computer accessories disposed of at landfills, the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) launched a pilot recovery programme in January 2003. The programme has been well-received by the public and nearly 150,000 waste computers and computer accessories have been recovered and processed. This pilot programme became the basis for the programme now known as Computer & Communication Products Recycling Programme.

Recycling your used computer has never been easier. The Computer & Communication Products Recycling Programme is fully funded by the industry and supported by the EPD and the green groups, and it provides collection services all over Hong Kong. You can make a difference to the environment and to people in need. Think twice before you discard your old computers. Find a public collection point near you by following this link.

Bulk Pick-up: Free collection service will be provided for bulk pick-up (5 or more pieces of main computer equipment – ie. desktop, notebook, printer, scanner, CRT & LCD monitor)*. To arrange collection, please call the CCRP’s recycler hotline 8108 9889.
* 10 or more pieces of main computer items for outlying islands and remote areas

Please note: The above collection services are free of charge. The CCRP will not pay for the collected items. A record form will be issued to acknowledge receipt of the collected items.

About the Computer and Communication Products Recycling Programme: The Computer & Communication Products Recycling Programme (CCRP) is a voluntary Producer Responsibility Scheme. It has been set up and funded by the computer trade to provide a mean for the public to manage their used computer equipment and communication products in an environmentally sound manner. Another goal of the CCRP is to raise public awareness of the need to reduce, re-use and recycle computer and communication products.

The CCRP’s operations are steered by a Programme Committee comprising representatives from participating computer equipment suppliers (see Participating Organisations) and the Chamber of the Hong Kong Computer Industry. There are also honorary members, including representatives from four green groups (Friends of the Earth, Green Power, Environmental Association and World Green Organisation). The Environmental Protection Department acts as the Programme’s advisor and helps promote the CCRP to the public.

The CCRP collects used computers and computer parts for refurbishment and recycling. The CCRP has lined up a charitable organisation, Caritas (Hong Kong) to help refurbish computers that are still in working condition and donate them to the needy, and appointed a commercial recycler to dismantle the remaining used computers and recover useful parts and materials.

How do we embrace a girl in crisis?

When a girl in crisis reaches out to Mother’s Choice for help, they welcome her into a safe place, and equip and empower her for a hopeful future. This looks different for each of the 242 girls who they walked with this year, because Mother’s Choice adapts their approach to the needs of each girl. BoBo’s story reminds us that we all need support from our friends and family when raising our children.

BoBo, a teen client of Mother’s Choice Pregnant Girls Services
“When I was pregnant, I truly didn’t know if I had the support around me to care for a baby, so I thought adoption would be the best plan. But the moment she was born, I felt so much love, I didn’t think I could leave her. Mother’s Choice arranged for a volunteer Project Bridge* family to care of my baby while I made my decision. I was nervous, but as I watched the Bridge Mom gently pick up my daughter, I knew she would be safe. Even so, my heart ached when she was carried away from me.

With support from my family, I realized I have what it takes to be a mother. I am so thankful to be living with our daughter now and am learning to be the best mom I can be. Our home is filled with so much joy as we raise my daughter together.”

Renata, Project Bridge Mom*
“When we first met BoBo in the hospital, we could feel her pain. She desperately wanted to be a mom, but she didn’t have the support she needed. My husband and I committed to caring for her baby in our own home so that BoBo and her family would have some time to get back on their feet. During that time, BoBo came over regularly to learn how to take care of her baby, and I would always try to encourage her. One evening, after we put the baby to bed, she opened her arms, and we hugged and cried together for several minutes. We started as strangers who don’t speak the same language, but we will forever share a deep bond, because we love the same child.

This experience has made me so passionate about supporting young mothers – all we did was care for a baby for two months, but it gave this new family the time they needed to stay together. Saying goodbye to the baby was one of the hardest things we have ever done, but we will absolutely open our home again to do the same thing if it can help another child and their family.”

*Project Bridge connects children in need of a temporary home to loving, nurturing volunteer families who open their homes anywhere from a few days to several months. Mother’s Choice has a great need for more families!

If you want to know about Mother’s Choice’s fostering programme or would like to attend one of their Info Sessions, please visit their website.

About Mother’s Choice: Mother’s Choice is a grassroots non-profit organization that provides and promotes loving, nurturing care for babies and children needing permanent homes.

Their story starts in 1987 when founders Ranjan & Phyllis Marwah, and Gary & Helen Stephens, moved by a series of articles in the newspaper about the alarming numbers of teenage crisis pregnancies in Hong Kong, were stirred to action.
The news article reported that approximately 35-40% of the hundreds of girls going to Shenzhen every week were already in their last trimester. There was an obvious need with no one visibly responding, even though people were actually aware of the circumstances of the girls going to Shenzhen for late term abortions. The founders knew that these babies could live given the good and proper medical attention available in Hong Kong – they just needed to find the space and funding to give these girls real options. So together with the support of their friends and the community, they began the work of Mother’s Choice.

Starting with just one borrowed room and no experience but motivated to give back to this city that they love, Mother’s Choice has since helped over 51,000 single girls, cared for 3,600 babies and assisted with 1,400 successful adoption cases.

Despite their achievements, Hong Kong continues to desperately need their services. Bain & Company, a global consulting firm, conducted pro-bono research for Mother’s Choice on the state of crisis pregnancies in Hong Kong in 2010. Based on their research, they conservatively estimated that there are 6,880 crisis pregnancies each year in Hong Kong. Nearly 60% were unwed females, the majority of whom were under 25 years old – Mother’s Choice serviced nearly 25% of these young women.

The research also showed that Mother’s Choice is the leader in providing non-judgmental services to young single girls facing crisis pregnancy in Hong Kong, and the only organization that provides services from conception through labour and delivery and post-pregnancy care.

Unfortunately, the research also showed that there is still an unmet demand of young women facing crisis pregnancy [55%] that are not receiving the help or counseling that they need. It is critical that Mother’s Choice needs to expand their services and reach in the community.

For more information on Mother’s Choice and their work please visit their website.

Volunteer for Teen’s Key

Teen’s Key – Young Women Development Network is a non-profit organization that focuses on vulnerable teenage girls in Hong Kong. They support young girls who are at high risk of unwanted pregnancies, young mothers, as well as young girls in the sex industry and so on.

If you are interested in Teen’s Key’s services and would like to support their young women, they would more than welcome your help. Just fill in application form by following this link to their website to become one of their volunteers. Teen’s Key will use the basic information provided as a means of contacting and distributing suitable volunteer activities’ specifics to you.

For more information, please visit their website.

About Teen’s Key: Established in 2011 in Hong Kong, Teen’s Key looks to provide support for displaced, young teenaged girls vulnerable to entering prostitution. As little support is available for this formative age group of young girls, Teen’s Key is looking to fill the gap as they require more holistic care and careful counselling so they are can eventually attain a future away from prostitution.

Teen’s Key‘s Keys for Girls program aims, through education, to equip vulnerable young girls the life skills, knowledge and positive social network that will help them rebuild their own lives.

Teen’s Key is a three person strong team, who reached out to over 7,000 young girls working in the Hong Kong prostitution industry through our more than 900 outreach programs and over 1,000 counselling sessions. Additionally, they have conducted over 1,600 private HIV tests and joined the Hong Kong AIDS Commission in 2014.

In 2015, Teen’s Key received the “With and For Girls Award” global award, an award sponsored by many international organizations such as the Nike Foundation, The Malala Fund, Plan UK, Stars Foundation, The Global Fund for Children, Empower, Mama Cash and the Novo Foundation.

Volunteer for MicroForests

MicroForests is a social enterprise that provides meaningful training and dignified job opportunities to disadvantaged women such as single mothers, new arrivals, and/or women from low income families.

MicroForests was inspired by the Sogetsu School of Japanese Floral Art (Ikebana) founded in 1927 by Sofu Teshigahara. They create living artwork that brings green, peace, happiness and balance to the busy lives of Hong Kong people. Each MicroForests artwork is a unique ecosystem made just for you!

MicroForests launched the “Life Transformation Program” pilot project in September 2014.

The “Life Transformation Program” program uses a cross-sector collaboration model and social capital accumulation theory. As such, the skills training opportunities and revenue generating components of the pilot program include:
* The sale of MicroForests artwork
* MicroForests design services
* Training workshops for beneficiaries
* Workshops open to the public
* Workshops designed for corporate and school engagement

The “Life Transformation Program” offers beneficiaries a well-structured training program with flexible working hours, so she can have the opportunity to earn extra income for her family and create work-life balance. Their program offers various placement and job opportunities to fit our trainee’s skills and career objectives, which include the opportunity to be:
* MicroForests designers
* DIY Workshop facilitators
* Couriers and logistics managers
* MicroForests ambassadors
* Part-time administrators
The aim of their intensive program is to empower their mother trainees to acquire the necessary knowledge and confidence to become qualified MicroForests Mother Designers and facilitators. The training program consists of three levels and take up a total of 48 hours including 8 placement hours and MicroForests study trip.

Poverty Alleviation
In Hong Kong, just around 42,000 housewives said they would re-join the workforce if they were given job opportunities that were suitable to their lifestyle. Issues such as illiteracy, lack of employable skills, and inflexible work environments are the biggest hindrances to disadvantaged mothers from gaining employment in Hong Kong.

MicroForests’s programs directly addresses the issues hindering women from re-entering the workforce by providing skills training and flexible employment. The objective of their programs is to encourage women in low-income families to gain meaningful skills and employment. Through the skills training workshop, they address the issue of poverty amongst women and children, especially single-mother families. As a result, they have seen an increase in confidence and self-reliance from the women who are in their program, which improves the well-being of their families.

What you can do to help
MicroForests is looking for volunteers who are eager to help with a variety of activities in theirs workshops with their mother designers. Tasks where help is needed include: babysitting, activities support, help with promotional materials and in joining their outreach programs. Your main task is to help develop the social support network for the mothers.
If you are interested, please follow this link and complete the form.

Or shop at their online store and buy one of their amazing MicroForests.

Clean Air Network (volunteer, internships)

Air pollution in our city is damaging our health as individuals, the profitability of our companies and our economy as a whole. Primarily caused by roadside and marine emissions and the “street canyons” trapping them around us, it affects us all. And the effects are becoming increasingly acute. At the Clean Air Network, they believe that together, this is a problem we can solve.

Clean Air Network sees three ways to do this: build knowledge and understanding among experts and the public; identify, connect and amplify the resources of stakeholders both in Hong Kong and worldwide; and work constantly to find and advocate the sustainable solutions for the future that our government can put into action today.

Clean Air Network has a unique and independent perspective on the dynamics affecting air quality in our city and they work side by side with the general public and each of the key players influencing this issue. Clean Air Network aims always to grow this network, so they actively partner on all their initiatives with academics, government officials, corporations and local communities. Their unified approach has enabled them to achieve systematic change in the way Hong Kong monitors and reports its air quality and also pass landmark legislation improving the way public transportation is managed and marine vessels regulated.

Nevertheless, because the Clean Air Network is driven by a fundamental commitment to using civic exchange to achieve lasting impact in the real world, they also build flexibility into their approach. Policy dialogue constantly evolves, and to remain effective, the Clean Air Network too must stay nimble enough to adapt alongside it. Their strength is their strategic approach, proven commitment and established network.

The Clean Air Network works to clean Hong Kong’s air. Because this is our city and a future we all share.

What you can do to help
Intern
The Clean Air Network’s internship programme stimulates and educates young people to engage in society through the understanding of environmental issues, in particular, air quality in Hong Kong and gain a sense of civil engagement through various outreach, marketing and communication exercises.

Their interns customarily participate in community-oriented projects, permitting them to learn about environmental issues through grassroots outreach activities that put them in touch with members of the community at all levels, in different sectors.

The Clean Air Network accepts applications for internships year round. Both long-term and short-term interns are welcome but note that the minimum work period is 1 month. Although their internships are unpaid, an internship at CAN is among the most rewarding in Hong Kong with each intern given a high degree of personal responsibility for entire projects. The Clean Air Network accepts students ranging from senior high school students to post-graduates.

Applicants should provide the following documents:
* Curriculum vitae
* Proposed duration of internship
* A covering letter which explains why the student seeks an internship at CAN
To submit an application, please email application@hongkongcan.org

Volunteer
The Clean Air Network welcomes volunteers from all walks of life, from assisting campaigns, managing social media to on-site investigation. If you are interested in volunteering, please follow this link to their website and complete the application form.