Annual Report 2018-2019

OADS CR OSSR

ANN

018 -2019 2 T R O P UA L R E

Crossroads Foundation Crossroads Village 2 Castle Peak Road Tuen Mun, Hong Kong Phone: +852 2984 9309 Email: enquiries@crossroads.org.hk www.crossroads.org.hk

With heartfelt thanks to Nordica Printing Co. for donating the printing of this report.

This Annual Report was written and designed by Crossroads‘ volunteer staff.

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DS AN A O R S S RO

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18 -2019 0 2 T R O AL R EP

Contents Directors’ Note...........................................................................................................3 What is Crossroads Foundation?.................................................................... 4-5 Highlights 2018-19................................................................................................ 6-7 Impact...................................................................................................................... 8-9 Serving locally, serving globally: Economic Need....................................................................................... 12-15 Displacement............................................................................................16-17 Health..........................................................................................................20-21 Education..................................................................................................22-23 Disaster...................................................................................................... 24-25 Sustainability........................................................................................... 28-29 Social Enterprise..................................................................................... 30-31 Partnerships.............................................................................................. 32-33 In the Media....................................................................................................... 36-37 Financials.............................................................................................................38-41 Get Connected................................................................................................. 44-47

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Directors' Note

Serving locally Serving globally It is frankly impossible for us, ever, to find the words to thank the thousands, literally thousands, of you who make this work possible, whether you do so across the road or across the world.

For our 2018-2019 report, we chose this theme, that of serving people locally and globally, because some of you asked us to. You explained that there are a couple of aspects in this work which are almost like ‘best kept secrets’ (not intentionally, of course, but nonetheless the case). “Highlight them!” we were told.

Serving locally All too often, people say, “I didn’t know you helped so many people at the local level.” People readily associate us with the movement of goods around the world, but seem genuinely surprised by the sheer volume of work we do right here at home. Yet, the truth is that, every day, people are referred to us by e g t o f a hu recipien y p p the Government of a h ha o m p a ny gbie wit d e by a c a Sally Be m n the HKSAR or by o donati clothing . a in h C NGOs, because they g in producin are in need. Some are families or individuals in difficult circumstances. Others are NGOs who themselves care for people in need and whom we help equip organisationally.

So, in this report, we decided to try and make our local work clearer. In the main body of the writing, the left-hand pages feature local work and the right-hand pages feature the global work. (Of course, goods’ provision is not the only service we offer locally. We run our experiential learning programmes on need for thousands of participants, along with our Café and marketplace.)

Malcolm Begb ie enjoying tim e out with kids we are worki from a school ng with in No rthern Uganda

Serving globally And yes, indeed, we do work globally too, but in more ways than one. The first is a ‘physical’ warehouse, if you will, where we receive goods donated in Hong Kong and ship them around the world. The second is, it would seem, our other ‘best kept secret’. We learn of donations offered by companies or institutions located in other countries, and use our ‘virtual warehouse’, Global Hand, to let NGOs know they are available. Some recipients may be near the donor. Some elsewhere.

The NGOs organise the logistics. This year, we saw this part of our work quadruple in size so perhaps it is now less of a ‘secret’. You’ll find Global Hand stories throughout this report, along with our regular shipments. Do please avail yourselves of this ‘virtual’ warehouse, if you have goods to offer anywhere at all.

By the way, you’ll notice another difference in this year’s report: not only the left and right page formatting, but also its front and back. We’ve finally gone bi-lingual! We have longed to do this for quite some time, but just couldn’t get the volunteer labour. This year we have turned the corner.

We can’t help but finish where we began and that is by thanking all of you. Next year, to our amazement, will be our 25th year in action. Our appreciation is beyond description.

We, and those we serve, are all in your debt.

Malcolm and Sally Begbie Crossroads’ Founders & Directors

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About Crossroads

What is Crossroads Foundation?

Our goal is to be a crossroads in a broken world, connecting people in need with those who can help. We do so through our four services:

The old proverb says: I cannot understand a man until I have walked a mile in his shoes.

When people participate in Global X-periences, they do not watch a video or listen to a presentation about global issues. They take a few steps ‘in the shoes’ of people in need. If they are interested in poverty, for example, they experience simulated manual labour and corrupt market practices together with the battle for shelter, food, education and medical care.

We offer experiential programmes on war, HIV/AIDS, blindness, hunger, water access, inequality in trade and the complex global range of issues that hold billions in poverty. Many people find experiential learning far more powerful than the spoken or written word. Over 200,000 participants have undertaken experiential programmes, with interest in them growing. Participants include students, business teams, community groups, families and individual visitors.

ossing in the border cr k papers at mulation at si e" ge Guards chec fe of a Refu Li e th in ay the "A D m 2019. onomic Foru the World Ec

4

For many in poverty, humanitarian aid is not enough.

They also need a job with a reliable income. So we provide ‘business solutions’ for people in poverty: fair trade and social enterprises.

Our Global Handicrafts shop, at the Crossroads Village site, is an enchanting, multicultural marketplace of items from Hong Kong and around the world. They are purchased on a fair trade basis that sees a fair income go to artisans and producers who are living in economic need. www.globalhandicrafts.org The Silk Road Café sells fair trade teas and coffees from around the world. It also serves snacks from local Hong Kong social enterprise businesses. All sales help provide income for people in need. It’s an oasis of refreshment and community, themed with the colours, patterns and textiles of the Silk Road. www.globalhandicrafts.org/cafe

The sale of fair trade pro ducts helps generate income for people in nee d within Hong Kong and around the world.

As well as our physical warehouse, Crossroads has a virtual one: www.globalhand.org. Anywhere in the world, real time, people with quality goods or services to donate can offer them through our Global Hand service.

We will then pass on the offer to our network of NGOs in Europe, Africa, SE Asia, Central Asia and the Americas seeking the right ‘match’.

Crossroads’ Global Distribution provides aid for relief and development in over 95 countries, as well as in Hong Kong, our headquarters.

Welfare: In Hong Kong, we actively support the Social Welfare Department and a wide range of NGOs in providing help to individuals and families living in vulnerable circumstances.

Development: Our humanitarian aid is targeted towards entrenched poverty. We redistribute quality goods donated by the Hong Kong community to NGOs, in over 95 countries, who have applied to us with details of their needs and development plans. Follow up and feedback provide ways for all of us to track the effectiveness of the distribution and the sustainability of its outcomes.

Relief: Crossroads’ Global Distribution also addresses major disasters.

We target disaster reduction, prepositioning and response, seeking to comply with Sphere Standards in : Humanitarian in need people o t s d Response to ensure goo 0% tribute g Kong and 5 We dis n o best practice.

H ithin 50% w y. tionall interna

Placing goods carefully is all important to us. We are strongly committed to doing so wisely and well. Our experienced team works with both sides to ensure that donated goods are placed where they are truly needed and can make a strategic difference in others’ lives.

Our network includes seasoned NGOs who specialise in humanitarian logistics.

We welcome donations large and small: by the box, the pallet or container load. NGOs are welcome to let us know if your programmes can use donated goods. We would be glad to talk and match up wherever possible!

Global Hand has also built an online matching system for the United Nations to interact with the corporate sector. www.business.un.org You are welcome to visit us on www.globalhand.org, wherever you are in the world.

We make pa rtnerships be tween for-pr and non-prof ofit it organisatio ns to help a in need. world

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Highlights 2018-19

665,000 lives impacted in 2018-19

31 s e i r t n u o c

roducts Fair trade p m sourced fro

57 nations impacted through our work

8 , 97 2 students

participated in x-periental learning prog rammes 6

53,056 HK$ 97,8 en in total value of aid giv

3 0 5 , 5 9  8 $ K H r total revenue fo ucts fair trade prod

84

partnerships formed through Global Hand

6,171

comunity volunteers

13,31e0 rience Global X-p s participant

442,345 kg goods save d from landfi ll

63

fair trade producers supported

75,540 community

volunteer h ou

rs 7

Impact: Serving locally

Distribution in HKSAR Aberdeen, Admiralty, Ap Lei Chau, Beacon Hill, Causeway Bay, Central, Chai Wan, Cheung Sha Wan, Choi Hung, Deep Water Bay, Diamond Hill, Fanling, Fei Ngo Shan, Hong Lok Yuen, Jordan, Kai Tak, Kowloon City, Kwai Chung, Kwu Tung, Kwun Tong, Lai Chi Kok, Mid-Levels, Mong Kok, Nam Cheong, North Point, Sau Mau Ping, Sha Tin, Sham Shui Po, Sheung Shui, Sheung Wan, Siu Lam, Siu Sai Wan, Tai O, Tai Kok Tsui, Tai Koo, Tai Lam, Tai Wai, Tseung Kwan O, Tsim Sha Tsui, Tsing Yi, Tsuen Wan, Tsz Wan Shan, Tuen Mun, Wan Chai, Wong Tai Sin, Yau Ma Tei, Yuen Long

Global Handicrafts HK$895,503 in total revenue 63 fair trade producers supported

Volunteering Global X-perience 372 simulations 13,310 participants 8,972 students participated 27 companies participated 17 NGOs participated 8

75,540 community volunteer hours 6,171 community volunteers 71 schools volunteered 52 companies volunteered 11 NGOs volunteered 70 volunteers on full time staff 22 nations represented by full time staff

Impact: Serving globally

Fair trade products sourced from

90

shipments sent to

31

Partnerships made in

19

countries

countries

24

countries

Simulations held in

6

countries

Global Handicrafts

Global Distribution

Bangladesh, Cambodia, Cameroon, Chile, PR China, Ecuador, Egypt, eSwatini, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Mexico, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nicaragua, Palestine, Peru, Rwanda, Serbia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Turkey, Uganda, Vietnam, Zimbabwe

Cambodia, Cameroon, DR Congo, eSwatini, Ghana, Guinea, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Moldova, Myanmar, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, Uganda, Ukraine, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Global X-perience PR China, Oman, Switzerland, Singapore United Kingdom, United States

Global Hand Bulgaria, PR China, eSwatini, France, Ghana, Greece, India, Iraq, Kenya, Malawi, Moldova, Nigeria, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Syria, Thailand, Uganda, Ukraine, Vietnam

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Quotes that inspire us

"Poverty is not an accident.

It is man-made and can be removed by the actions of human beings.�

Nelson Mandela

Economic Need: Serving locally

Dignity and support for men on low incomes The volunteers were bewildered. They had been visiting the Wong family, in Hong Kong, for several months before, on one occasion, they heard unexplained sounds coming from the bedroom.

The Wongs' sub-divided apartment space was tiny.

At just 150 square feet, it housed two parents, one grandmother and two children. One member, though, had been absent every visit: Mr Wong, the father, had been hiding in the bedroom, eavesdropping on the discussion but not joining in. Our partner NGO, Hope of the City, explained: "In most of our visits, the fathers don't really show up until they know that you care for the family. That's when they start coming out.”

Hope of the City invests days, weeks, months and even years among grassroots families in some of Hong Kong’s neediest districts, coming alongside them to provide programmes such as homework support, family bonding activities and mentoring.

So when they opened a new centre in Sham Shui Po, Hope of the City wanted to create a special space for men. We worked with them to find couches, chairs, lamps and a refrigerator from our warehouse to furnish an entire floor where men could enjoy one another, build relationships and access support.

Goods have been sent to

47 areas 93 NGOs in Hong Kong received goods

1,324 local appointments with clients and social workers

6 VANS of goods delivered help to Hong Kong residents daily 12

"We're trying to make this space look homely, like a living room," said Kevin Lu, Senior Coordinator of Volunteers at Hope of the City. “Fathers don't always want to be categorised as ‘beneficiaries’. They need a different space. So that is what this floor is for. Our volunteers can build relationships here.”

We’re honoured by the chance to come alongside local groups like Hope of the City, as they work with Hong Kong’s low-income families. Kevin’s words touched us as he concluded: "I think a lot of NGOs work too hard and think that we're all alone. But when we were opening this centre, we already knew about Crossroads. Knowing there's an NGO that will help us do our job better is an encouragement."

Hope of Shui P the Cit y s taff e o whe njoy t re suppo heir r t a n d m e n f ro m low-in new space f ro m co m m C ro s s co m e in Sha u nit y. M ro a fa m co u c h es fro ds’ wareho ost of the milies will m find fu u (see p . 30 fo The Excels se, includin rnishings ca m e ior ho r the g t h re Excels t ior sto el's closing e superb r y). dona tion

We work two ways in Hong Kong. We help non-profits and social welfare workers when they need large scale donations.

We also help individuals and families when they need those items which are crucial to their quality of life. We’ve included a few snapshots of both, from this year.

He l p i n g H K NGOs he l p o th e r s

‘Twas the w eek before C hristmas and all thro ugh our hou se… The season of g iving was up on us.

An offer of a n astonishin g 7,000 toys was ma de available for HK NGOs. M any were in te rested: St Stephen’s Society, the Samaritans, the Hong Ko ng Network for the Promoti o n of Inclusive So ciety, Christ ia n Action and more.

We were giv en Barbie d olls, dinosau chameleons r trucks and for their dis tribution. Re children wh cipients incl ose families uded are on the e society, refu conomic ed gee kids, ch g e of ildren whose recovering fr parents are om drug ad diction or li parents hav ttle ones wh e medical n ose e ed and there resource for fore little life’s ‘extras’.

We donned festive hats , opened ou smiled that r containers 7,000 young and lives were b little for Chri rightened ju stmas! st a We love help ing NGOs an d Social Wel their roles. Le fare agencies t us know if in yo u would like when we ha to hear from ve donation us s available!

g for A winter blessin rly Tuen Mun elde

ng culture, asured in Hong Ko The elderly are tre lack finane longer, and may but, as people liv pression, can be difficult. De e lif , ce ur so re l cia feeling lation leave many loneliness and iso est risk , the group at high desperate. In fact developed Kong, as in many of suicide in Hong en, 65. We loved it, th cities, is those over d us to ke as ol Memorial Scho when Ma Ko Pan ach tre ou eir annual winter help them with th Th d. ey eir neighbourhoo to the elderly in th d me for activities an invited them to co ue' of tiq ou 'b ered a friendship, and off r te in beautiful, warm w warehouse. r ou m fro clothing ering with We' ve been partn ts for en Ma Ko Pan’s stud are amazed at 8 years now, and istently care the ways they cons in their for the vulnerable neighbourhood.

her ’s battles t o m le g in s A

mother but as a single k, or w to t ou e could go ex needs is a Joyce wishes sh ing their compl ag an m n, re ild ch with two autistic social family relies on e Th b. jo full-time between e spends time welfare, as Joyc ved ital visits. We lo school and hosp oose ch ggling family helping the stru meet r warehouse to goods from ou nets, e a fridge, cabi their needs, lik s. m ite household computer and

Making a h ouse a hom e for an elde rly couple

When Mr Wo ng's wife suff ered a stroke reeling. At 65 , it left him , he himself is unemployed now lives wit , and his wife h daily pain.

Wonder fully, they had bee n allocated a p ublic housing flat, but had no way to furnish it. Wh en Mr Wong visited us to furnish their home, select ing beds, chairs and a table, shelve s etc, his relief was palpable. He poignantly tapped his h eart and said , "Now I believe there is hope for me and my fa mily.”

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Economic Need: Serving globally At Crossroads, we work two ways in distributing donated goods to people in economic need. If those goods are offered inside Hong Kong, we store them in our physical warehouse. This ongoing supply happens all day, every day of our working lives.

We can tell just a few stories on this page. If goods are offered in other countries, we seek to place them through our ‘virtual’ warehouse online (opposite page).

d for Gambia: Tailore ildren mothers and ch n feel the Gambia ofte Our partners in e of the sheer volum over whelmed by e’s basics, lif g in gers need lla vi m fro ts es requ then, that ey were thrilled, like clothing. Th not only them included our shipment to ucational together with ed , ng hi ot cl r la regu very ision, but also a her crucial prov ot d sew an s d ul lie co pp su others bric. It meant m fa of y tit ring an ilo qu ta huge literally r their families, fo ng hi ot cl n their ow . size they needed to the style and

Cambodia: A bett er chance for women

615,323 lives

Medical care is a gi ven in many natio ns, but a luxury in others. Fo r women in Cambo dia’s countryside, the la tter saw tragic co ns eq uences.

Recently, Cambodi a’s only dedicated w om en’s hospital was open ed and saw delight ed women travelling more th an two hours to reach it. We help ed equip it from Hong Kong, grateful to see women in need gi ven a caring and dignifi ed environment.

impacted internationally

45 NGOs served internationally

HK$ 61,553,056 value of aid through Global Distribution

90 shipments sent to 24 countries 14

Combatting HIV in DR Congo Poverty and HIV in DR Congo are a deadly combination. Our partners there combat it holistically, giving medical support but also helping people improve their lifestyle with better nutrition and exercise. We sent a 40’ container with a huge range of products for their programmes. The bicycles we sent (pictured) as part of their wellness training were especially popular: items which, like many, would otherwise be well beyond locals’ budget.

Our virtual warehouse, where we place goods located outside Hong Kong, has doubled again this year.

Companies or other donors in other countries let us know where their excess product is located and we look for NGOs, near or far, who can use it. We use our Global Hand service, www.globalhand.org, to match up donors and NGOs. Last year, this service doubled and, this year, it has doubled again. It moved US$36 million worth of goods this year, with 260,000 lives impacted. If you have goods to give, anywhere in the world, let us know and we’ll seek to find a match!

Empowering villag

ers in need

Many companies te nd to manufacture in developing countri es. The cost of doin g so in developed countri es can make it proh ib ita tive.

Done well, with a co ntribution back to the local community, th is can be an asset.

Our vir tual warehouse, Global Hand, often hears fro m companies who ha ve excess, high qu ali ty product available for distrib ution locally : good for the planet and good fo r those in need.

d Malcolm an ds' Directors, oa t sr os en m Cr DF by oble, Engage A visit to CR US. with Jason N ge er th lla Vi ge l to , ba Sally Begbie ossroads Glo Cr of t en id d Pres Strategist an

China, of course, is one example. This year saw several m donations of cloth assive ing offered in Chin a for NGOs within th The companies invo e country. lved were, in each case, reticent in se publicity for themse ek ing lves, but not reticen t in their generosit provided 15,000 ch y.

One ildren’s items and an other gave 15,255 both adults and ch pieces for ildren. Through Glob al Hand, we match and other offers wi ed these th the Chinese Relie f and Developmen Foundation (CRDF) t , an NGO which is on e of 30 awarded fo its transparency. Th r ey work in disaster re lief, elderly care, student suppor t an d provision for child ren and families where parents are employed far from home and unable live with their child to ren.

ies giving Vietnam: Compan mmunit y back to the local co

in Vietnam and, nies manufacture pa m co or aj m l ra Seve ound them e communities ar se to t an w , so g in doin with us to es made contact ni pa m co , ar ye is benefit. Th lue. "Many families of extraordinary va s od go e ac pl lp he day," said Global rviving on a $1 a su ly re ba e ar t tion. sis we as ildren’s Hope In Ac Hand member Ch excellent Superb shoes and numbers, clothing, in huge e injection brought a massiv e love it into their lives. W care enough when companies to give back.

84 partnerships formed

58 Aid placed in

19 countries

HK$ 36M value of goods distributed through Global Hand

offers of aid placed with NGOs

260,000 lives impacted

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Displacement: Serving locally

Helping grow global citizens: OLE “Nobody is born to be a refugee, nobody chooses to be one,” an asylum seeker from the Central African Republic told us. “I had a good life at home. But it is not safe...” His story is that of many. It’s easy to dismiss today’s global refugee crisis as opportunism, where people are seeking a better life, when almost all those whom we serve would love nothing more than to be home. In 2009, Hong Kong’s education system introduced the OLE: Other Learning Experiences.

A major goal is to help students here grow in global citizenship.

The issue of refugees today is unprecedented in world history. It is defeating some of the best minds on the planet as people from all walks of life seek to come to terms with this movement of people across the nations. No surprise, then, that teachers of the OLE programme find it helpful for their students to experience our Refugee Run. In 2018-19, we saw 1859 people participate. It’s an intense, highly interactive experience in which students ‘step into

n g K o n g, ollege, Ho Wah Yan C m o . fr 19 ts Studen Run in 20 the Refugee ce n ie er p ex

the shoes’ of those living in war zones. Some enter the simulation with negative preconceptions about refugees, like Hong Kong university student Harry.

“Before [doing the Refugee Run], I thought, most refugees are probably fake anyway,” he recalls. “Why don’t they just help themselves out?” After going through the experience, though, his perspective shifted. “Actually, it’s hard for refugees, because there are so many things tying them down.” Harry spent six weeks in our 2019 summer internship programme, where he worked in the Global X-perience office, seeing others change their perspectives too.

He says that this summer clarified his career path in extraordinary ways where he will focus on humanitarian issues.

Of course, we also run this programme for business groups, NGOs and others. Want to make a booking?

We’d love to hear from you. Visit www.crossroads.org. hk/global-x-perience/refugee-run to find out more.

Guards issue orders to staff from the UN HCR Hong Kong taking pa rt in the Refugee Run in 2019.

13,310 participants in 2018-19

ltanc y Co n s u t n e e nagem queue at th int Ma s r n p r e e t lu er in ro m B ’ summ Staff f s ro a d s s o r C and rol. r co n t b o rd e

8,972 students participated in simulations

372 simulations in total over the year

27 companies participated in simulations 16

"This completely changed my attitude towards refugees.

I was ashamed and astonished at how they were treated in the refugee camp... it violates humanity."

Minerva Hui, participant

Displacement: Serving globally This page highlights a couple of examples, but, given the breadth of refugees and asylum seekers around the world, this year saw us busy with many products in a range of locations. Nets to combat the spread of mosquito borne disease in the camps. Clothing and footwear in abundance. Hundreds of thousands of oral hygiene items. Support for water purification. The list goes on. Refugee support went to displaced people in Europe, Africa and Asia. It’s a heartbreaking problem.

Helping light the darkness The BBC calls it ‘the worst refugee camp on earth’.

A camp on the far-flung island of Lesvos, Greece, seen by many as a gateway to the EU, should be handling just over 2000 people but, for a lot of this year, was receiving up to 10,000. It couldn’t cope. There was no adequate shelter, water, food, medical care or education. Tensions boiled over repeatedly and none more so than at night. With no electricity available, much could happen under the cover of darkness: theft, abuse, rape, violence, killings.

We partnered with Dutch humanitarian logistics group, HRIF, to get 6,000 lamps into the camps.

The lamps last for up to 8 hours and, being portable, will help deter and reduce the ease with which these night atrocities occur. Our thanks to all who helped!

There is no

such thing

as 'away'

Plastic is on e of the gre So, when a solar start up, d.light attended ‘A Day in atest enem So is conflic ies facing o t.

We watch b ur planet to the Life of a Refugee’ in Davos, at the World Economic oth do the looking for day. ir worst an areas to he d agonise, Forum 2017, we were delighted that they offered lp ‘right the wrong’ in a ny way we portable lamps for refugees. They helped gather When, there can. fo re , a c ompany ca funds, as did Hong Kong’s The Island School, a massive do ll e d u p our UK o nation of p ffice offerin generous NGO and individuals across the US and lastic items particular, ga fo r families, ch w e w ere delighte beyond, via a Facebook campaign. ildren in new, carefu d on both c lly designe ounts. They d for young were brand developme o n e nt: bowls, b s at various ottles, train stages of for children er cups, so . Literally th others, cutl ousands of immediate ery safe units were ly thought on offer. W o f the many th who had fl e ousands of ed war zon asylum see es with noth backs. Such kers in g but the clo plastic item thes on the s would fill camps and ir a c ritical need even be use for them in ful, travellin moved on the g with them to be re -se , if/when th ttled: gifts ey are that would keep on giv Annie Leon ing. a rd w a s ri g ' h s t d w a h ‘a e w ro n ay ’. When w she said "T Cross here is no su e throw an .light in ything awa W der of d ch thing as n h u e re o .

-f b 7 o e c 1 tt y , , 0 e it n r 2 e th m F z ust go som a E o n W to t a g iv Ned T n e o such good ewhere." equipped a simulati s to people s a result? refugee whose live s can be

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Quotes that inspire us

"The world we have created is a product of our thinking; it cannot be changed without changing our thinking.�

Albert Einstein

Health: Serving locally

Combatting radio silence It didn’t look like much. A simple radio (funky, admittedly, as a modern version of a retro design) but still not of great apparent value. To Rose, though, it was a lifeline.

Rose is shy and softly-spoken, a middle-aged woman living a ‘shut in’ existence in a small Hong Kong apartment. She A brand n ew radio, has battled severe depression for years: unable to work or based on design, pro a funky re vided a ‘m tro even leave her home easily. She survives on a modest ust have’ a house-b connectio ound Hon n for g Kong re monthly financial supplement. So, when her refrigerator but playin sident: sm g a crucia all, yes, l role in her broke down in the hot summer, she couldn’t replace it. life.

It was when her radio broke, though, that she was truly devastated.

It is her one connection to the community and the world outside.

She was overjoyed when we could provide both these basic needs.

Although we had not seen particular value in this radio, Jack, one of our Hong Kong Distribution staff, said, "It really impacted her life. Every item on our shelves is special."

Daily, Hong Kong people receive goods from our warehouse, whether a major order, or something small but surprisingly strategic, like Rose’s poignant request. It’s easy, though, to miss the importance items can have in others’ lives. If you have excess goods, please pause, before throwing them, to ask if we can use them for the countless ‘Roses' who come through our gates each day.

Helping equip those who se r ve Theirs is no sm

all commitmen t. HK NGO, HOLF for people with , was set up not one or two but multiple disa Their family-sty bilities. le home sees lo ving, trained staff to 60 people, of care for up all ages. The staff work with sacrifi dedication, unco cial mplaining, in fa ct working with they give such re joy as sidents life-long care.

Early this year, th e Hong Kong H ospital Authority us a significant offered donation of qual ity office furniture sent out an aler and we t to our NGO ne twork. HOLF repl “We are amazed ie d. to see this emai l. We have just confirmed the m odification wor ks of our office and nurse statio n.” Perfect timin g!

We help many NGOs in Hong Ko ng, ever y year, as well as families and individuals.

Most NGOs have limited budget and it is great to help them save expense in one area, freeing up much needed fu nds for others.

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toys 7,000 brand new for Christmas

d tonishing: 7,000 bran The quantity was as r, re tu ac uf an ding toy m new toys from a lea NGOs . ice rv se Global Hand offered through our ail oded us with em across Hong Kong flo swer this could be their an responses knowing utions on among the instit for Christmas provisi ed l welfare. We organis and families on socia y Ba n at our Sunny a massive distributio ed e organisations arriv storage facility as th . te them far and wide with trucks to distribu oss and this little One was the Red Cr red, is one of the child in hospital, pictu nefitted. We love happy 7,000 who be care to place companies that take hands of those quality excess in the herwise prove for whom it would ot beyond reach.

Health: Serving globally

Iraq: From container to

‘oasis’

oasis for refugees huk, Northern Iraq, an Do ar ne rt se de sty du In the m of a shipping rting in the unlikely for sta , ere wh no m fro ilies from has sprung is home to 1,300 fam mp ca ee ug ref y arb ne container. The through mountains to e families have trekked es Th . ies rit no mi nic eth could be more in cidal violence. Nobody no ge of rs rro ho e th d our partners escape eration and healing, an en reg e, ac pe of ce pla need of a build one. sought to help them ods , shipping medical go e partners since 2017 es th th wi d le rke op Pe wo s. ve We ha d refugee familie tribution to clinics an to Northern Iraq for dis ed brand new d illnesses have receiv at are expected living with injuries an sent hospital beds th o als ve ha We rs. lke wheelchairs and wa shipment le a year. In total, the op pe 00 7,0 d un aro to serve five different medical allowed them to equip ople. ees and displaced pe centres serving refug asked s was unloaded, they After one set of good at with the container th themselves what to do in of letting it go to waste brought them. “Instead e, rag sto for simply using it the desert of Iraq, or l staff rpose,” they said. Loca we found a better pu dical the container into a me worked to transform ulting y on one side and cons clinic with a pharmac n. e oasis had begu room on the other. Th

a community , their plans included That oasis grew. Soon ld where young clinic, and a soccer fie garden in front of the they are n play. Looking ahead, ca mp ca e th m fro le peop lp the entire ped gym, which will he planning a fully equip community. al point for the refugee centre to become a foc n help alleviate some ugh this oasis, they ca icide. “Our su en ev d Their aim is that, thro h depression an ut yo to ds lea ich wh t only find thing of the tension e refugee camp will no th h ug ro th go d an me al healing too,” they hope is that all who co t mental and emotion bu , ery ov rec d an ng ISIS, then having to physical heali homes, in the wake of eir th e fle to d ce for ilies, these said. “After being of other displaced fam s nd sa ou th th wi mp cram into a refugee ca n.” to let their adversity wi people are not willing

Helping emp ower Ukrainia n maternit y fac ilit y

"Finally, the re pair of our m aternity hosp our colleagu ital is finished es in the Ukr ," wrote ai n e. "Your beds rooms for pat are in refurbis ients with gyn hed aecological d for women w iseases and in ho have given rooms bir th." We wer these beauti e overjoyed to ful beds, don see ated by Hong Hospital, inst Kong’s Prince alled and read o f W ales y to support ru The 'before' p ral women in ictures of the n ee beds they had d. old wooden been using sh bases, with u owed ncomfortable boards. Dang springs and b ers in the bir roken thing process challenge in ca n too often be under-resou rced countrie a major step we can s and commu take to help n it ie m s. ak Any e that process and better su safer, more sa pported is a privilege. nitised 21

Education: Serving locally

Boosting

t h e h a rd wo rk o f For schoo HK scho ls in low-i n co m e a ol s room

reas, there in the ann can be litt ual budge events an le t fo r extras li d fairs. Cro k e special ssroads is of brand d onated th new toys ousands each year companie from gen s, and it ’s e ro u s o ur joy to p those on ass some to schools o f in Hong K significan ong to us t events. S e for ome scho On M emo ols, like H rial Kinde KMLC She rgarten a Governm k n d Kwun To ent Prima ng ry School (p 'repeat cu ictured ri stomers’ a ght), are t Crossroa year for n ds, comin ew donate g each d educati prizes for onal good outstand s to use a ing stude communit s nts or as g y open da ifts on ys. In the we gave b 2018-19 p rand new eriod, toys wort HK$230,0 h approx.

00, along with stati Kong sch onery, to ools. We lo local Hon ve the inje encourag g ction of jo ement th y e a y n d b ring, as w tonnes fro ell as savin m landfill . g

Challenge

8,972 students from 102 schools participated in simulations

71 schools volunteered

22

of Water

water cking clean la ill . st e id w orld gest visitors 10 people w ith our youn in w 1 n ly ve e ar , e g n an n h ri th Wit h explo confronting tragedy wort intense and ss le r is r access, it ’s a e at W t for younge hallenge of g it just righ in ak m s Crossroads’ C e s, n se o ti ence other simula d the experi an , , h g u o some of our e th ’t ing d isn qual still challeng that the worl sp ra 1 g 2 n to children. It ’s ra g tin we ung as 5 star . In 2018-19, it yo t u as o n ab re o ild d ch y can Hong Kong, mething the ith schools in w s and there’s so n left). o ti la u ater sim ten (pictured W ar r rg fo e e d g in n K le Chal e Baptist first and an King Estat is the world’s r e at w including Sh re u “P it, but proverb says l may access al at th n e A Slovakian iv ung eag ” It should b e way even yo e. th in ic ve d lo e e m W . st n foremo g that happe re. d is not seein rl o otivated to ca w m , ’s n ay o d ti la to u m si is through th g children are, /volunteerin offer service n ca e e W ic t? rv n de ds for your se acher or stu donated goo Are you a te d an with your s n o ti la s, simu ads can work ie ro it n ss u ro rt C o p w p o o out h d out more ab projects! Fin e 44. school on pag

s for New perspective summer interns

ally helping me think "This internship is re er path," said one of about my future care the . "It's making me see our summer interns s, nt de stu e way." For som world in a different ce first time in an offi internships are their le time meeting peop environment, or first e tim st fir eir tions, or th from many other na urs bo igh ne eds of poorer understanding the ne ols ho sc d 72 interns from in Hong Kong. We ha through rking at Crossroads and universities wo . the summer of 2019

Education: Serving globally

Ghana: Education for its poorest reg have In Upper West Ghana, 6 out of 10 kids 73% that , then , rise had no schooling. No surp the : jobs of people in the villages have no nation. It’s highest unemployment rate in the the classic poverty cycle.

ion

n call a This year, we shipped what we ofte break help to ‘capital investment ’ of goods iture, the cycle: school furniture, office furn r suite computers for IT education and a fulle of educational equipment.

t here rt y is so grea gnette. Pove vi nt n na ig ow r A po ing thei ds had to br each that some ki them home ke ta d an , ol ho sc and to at chairs ’t even do th thers couldn ter O Af n. . e) tio ca ov va (pictured ab or flo e th y even on sa learned ), teachers ee top right (s t s. en er m ip pe r sh ei our y with th sit up proudl the poorest

Vietnam: Vil lagers write a different sto r y for their f u t u re Child

Computers: l A first for PNG schoo ey d a long, rocky journ These computers ha of s nd hla the remote hig from Hong Kong to ger ea where students are Papua New Guinea, the k d the internet, but lac to access IT skills an ndar y w installed in a seco resources. They're no oks and school, along with bo ads' furniture from Crossro is, we had shipment. "Prior to th r laborator y never had a compute our two or a school library in ff. "This is campuses," wrote sta of our a first in the history existence!"

ren from mo untainous tr of the list fo ibal villages r the wrong in Vietnam co reasons. Acc me top the most lik ording to U ely kids in th NICEF, they'r e countr y n those who d e ever to atte o tend to dro nd school. E p out soone ven r than their urban peers Villagers in .

Q uang Nam province de together an cided they w d write a diff anted to rall erent story with suppo y for their chil rt from the d re n. "Togethe governmen rooms," wro r t, they built te our partn some good ers, who run sc they were st h o o l p rojects in th uck for a so e villages. "B urce to buy u t needed furn ishings."

That’s where we stepped in. We sent equipment, educationa desks and ch l toys, medic airs donated al

by H o n g K o ng schools.

"Your shipm ent lit their hope!" wrote beautiful w the staff. Wh ay to express at a what we lon shipment: li g to do with e ght hope. S very o many of th work with h e communit ave deeply-h ie s w e e ld hopes for th solid strateg eir people, a ies but are w n a d iting on the them to fru resources to ition. bring

23

Disaster: Serving locally

Super Typhoon Mangkhut: Largest in recorded HK history The exquisite fishing village of Tai O, Hong Kong, is delightful on postcards, with its traditional homes. Those very structures, though, are highly vulnerable to typhoons.

When Typhoon Hato struck in 2017, Tai O was hit hard and those homes flooded. We responded with a campaign to get electrical goods and furniture to elderly residents.

In 2018, when Super Typhoon Mangkhut swept through Tai O, the residents had learnt from Hato. The community worked, in the preceding days, to get elderly neighbours to safety, and to store their furniture and appliances above the projected flood lines.

Not all damage, though, could be avoided.

We therefore worked closely with the community to deliver fridges, washing machines, air conditioners, beds and stoves.

A Crossroads team worked alongside local volunteers to guide the goods through Tai O's small village pathways and rickety bridges, safely to the homes of elderly villagers.

ds Village was sk at Crossroa ople The clean-up ta nds to help. Pe eded many ha ne d an e, siv mas m the Irish walks of life, fro n came from all through Christia rs ee nt lu , to vo for ul kf Consul-General an th e er w any more! We Action, and m e. on y er each and ev

24

Another community, Kar Wo Lei Tsuen, which sits a stone’s throw from Crossroads Village, was also badly affected by Mangkhut. Always a joy to help our immediate neighbours, we worked with local councillor Beatrice Chu to give more than 70 pieces of furniture and electrical goods to Kar Wo Lei Tsuen households in need. We were especially grateful to ALBA, who supplied many of the whitegoods we took to both Tai O and Kar Wo Lei Tsuen, and to IKEA, who gave beds, complete with matching pillows and bedlinen.

Damage

t o C ro s

s ro a d s ' Crossroa fa c i l i t i e ds Village wasn’t sp s Septemb a re er 2018. d the wra After the th o damage f Typhoo storm pa in dismay n M angk ssed, our hut in : massive damaged voluntee trees dow , and wors rs sur vey n o n ed the t of all, o all our ro ur storag ads, elec e centre trical wir What asto a t Sunny B ing nished u ay d e m o s, though lished. of volunte , w as the re ers and p sponse o ar tners a that it wo f our belo round Ho uld be im ve d c o m n g p Kong. So ossible to below, b munity many spra u t k n ow thank ea ng to our th c h at e a c h p o n to help, w e .

W aid e’ve nam air of han as an imm ed just a ds, and e ense enc contribu few ach dolla ouragem ted to ou r given ent, and r being a ‘build ba all ble to he ck better lp us ’.

Upon hea ring of the destructio Bay stora n of our S ge facility u n ny , D onal Bo Funds spo ylan of Th nsored th e Ireland e p urchase o shipping f a series o container f s that have converted now been into a larg er, far mo warehouse re secure .

rs, Kadoorie generous dono Funding from covered the d Chinachem, Foundation an ch will now be the space, whi construction of otecting pr , ns re typhoo resistant to futu in. ted goods with priceless dona

Disaster: Serving globally

Zimbabwe: Helping rebuild after one of the worst tropical cyclones on record

Tragedy struck Africa when Cyclone Idai raged for nearly 3 weeks in parts of Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi. The flooding caused 1,300 deaths, with many more people missing. “The scale of this crisis is staggering,� said the head of the International Committee for the Red Cross.

We knew we wanted to help, and so did Hong Kong. We set up a dedicated donations page for Cyclone Idai and began working with our partners in Zimbabwe.

They visited the district of Chimanimani and fed back about the scenes of utter devastation described above.

In the aftermath, many Chimanimani families were living in tents provided by NGOs as temporary housing. It was truly an emergency camp situation, though, in what they told us is one of the coldest areas in Zimbabwe.

It's in Chimanimani that Crossroads' consignment of goods will be distributed, helping people still living in temporary dwellings. As we have seen so often in our disaster relief work, it can take many months or years for communities to rebuild after such an event.

Our partners gave us a list of needed items and we prepared 2,000 kg of relief goods, including mosquito nets, shelter kits, DHL carries goods pro bono medical supplies, blankets and Staff from DHL in Hong Kong helped prepare disaster relief goods in May 2019, which DHL clothing. Crossroads' long-time then delivered pro bono to help cyclone-affected partners DHL stepped up families in Zimbabwe. to deliver the goods pro bono, and their staff came to Crossroads to help prepare the goods for shipment. We owe a debt of gratitude to DHL for their part in helping us help Zimbabwe, as well as all who donated to make it possible.

f r disaster relie and Shelter kits fo , we sent 100 br rs no do us ro ols to ith w , Thanks to gene actical : supremely pr use or rs te new shelter kits el sh ry set up tempora to s lie pp of su e d an initial stat forts after the in rebuilding ef emergenc y.

R ug by team p lays its A s we p par t repared a full sh disaster ipme relief, an other sm nt to Zimbabw relief go e for aller con o d s wa s signme being h u nu s ua nt of and-deli l team o vered b f courie Cheetah y an rs: the Z s R ug by imbabw S e ve n s the ann e team! In ua l S e ve H o n g Ko ns tourn wa s g e n ng for ament, erous en the dele ough to 2,500 pa gation carr y ho irs of m me with edical g nets in A them loves an pril 201 d 100 m 9. The g our part osquito o o d s we ners on re delive the grou affected red to nd to he

by Cyclo lp those ne Idai a epidem nd the c ic. holera

Photo: EOSDIS Worldview

"Most families were left without anything to survive on. Other families have only one member left, whether a child, or father, mother, sister or brother. In some families, all perished, buried under huge stones."

25

Quotes that inspire us

"The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world's problems.�

Mahatma Gandhi

Sustainability: Serving locally

44,149 kg total of goods recycled 1

2

3

4

5

508 kg Plastic wrap

473 kg

14,429 kg

Glass

Metal & Plastic

14,421 kg Cardboard

14,318 kg WEEE

u p e r h e ro e s s g in v a s d Our foo fill in e sent to land

od waste ar nwhile, 0 tonnes of fo ong Kong. Mea Ever y day, 3,60 H g in ed Fe to cording Hong Kong, ac ry. are going hung people in need that food and ge amounts of hu s ue sc re -time par tners Kong Feeding Hong it. They are long ed ne ho w e hungry to thos r own army of ou redistributes it ed fe us lp al budget. and also he from our annu s of Crossroads nd sa ou th day, saving roads from food volunteers each meals to Cross 48 ,9 12 d le ne ey chan In 2018-19, th Hong Kong! businesses in friends at we are for our as , es ic rv se r ankful for thei tchen twice a We’re deeply th l food to our ki te ho ss ce ex deliver FoodLink, who Co, who make od week, and Fo of excess food regular offers to Crossroads.

28

M ulch g iv i n g ba to M o t her Ear ck th

It was q uite a su rprise to shipping receive line tellin a call fro g us the of beau ma y had a tiful mu 4 0 ’ co n t lch to dis felt it a t ainer pose of. ra g e d y t Th e y a n hat it be delighte d we w a s te d d to s e e so we w it given home b e re a good y Mike Y eung, presiden t of the Internat ional So ciety o f Ar b o r iculture .

Sustainability: Serving globally

Recycling artisans make good news in Sri Lanka When Sri Lankan artist Sagara Ranga Liyanage decided to start a handicrafts business, he had to think outside the box.

"I didn't have the capital for a startup business,” he explains. “I knew I must start with what I have.” What he had around him were two resources: wastepaper and a community of hardworking village women who were battling poverty.

Thus, Earthbound Creations was born: a social enterprise that treads lightly on the local environment by recycling waste materials and using eco-friendly processes from start to finish. It employs mostly women from the village of Udaperadeniya.

They can be mums, too. They can work during school hours or even from home if minding small children. Earthbound has also set up education and investment programmes for their artisans and their families, after noticing that many village women had little knowledge or experience managing savings for the future.

The products, including hand-woven baskets, coasters, pencils and ornaments, use natural dyes and glues, with paper collected from local dumpsites. Earthbound Creations has been such a successful win-win that the enterprise has grown from just 3 employees in 2003 to 1,700 in 2018. They now export to 11 countries, including Hong Kong, where we started selling Earthbound Creations’ products in late 2018 at our Global Handicrafts shop.

“Cultivating environmental stewardship” is one of the nine principles of Fair Trade, and it’s one that Earthbound Creations lives and breathes, like so many of our Global Handicrafts producers. The products they create invest in the earth and in real people’s lives.

O cean Sole:

Flipping sea

t ra s h

into ar t Erick, of Ken ya, was a wo od carver bu when he real t he was sad ised his job dened co ntributed to his commun the deforest ity's land. He ation of still needed, family but w though, to su anted a job p port his less destruct He met Ocean ive to the lan Sole, an ente d he loved. rprise that ta flip-flops (a kes discarde significant so d u rc e of local wat transforms th er pollution) em into sup and erb, colourfu l creations. To employed b d ay , Erick is y them to use his carving sk in a way that ills helps the pla net, instead hurting it. W of e love Ocean Sole's vision advocate for to cleaner seas and to supp poor commu ort nities. We se ll their carve flip-flop anim d als in our Glo bal Handicra shop. They ar fts e astonishin g works of ar t!

29

Social Enterprise: Serving locally

Excelsior hotel equips HK social enterprise It was the end of an era when Hong Kong’s beloved Excelsior shut down in early 2019. As their doors closed, though, The Excelsior opened doors around Hong Kong, thanks to its commitment to social responsibility.

They wanted to do as much as possible to prevent the hotel’s vast inventory going to landfill. So they asked us for help finding NGOs who could use this furniture and their hospitality goods.

We spread the word through our networks and found 9 different NGOs in Hong Kong who were eager to give new life to some of the high-quality items. Two social enterprise groups, in particular, benefitted. Both are opening catering facilities which provide both training and jobs for people whom life has dealt a difficult hand. So the Excelsior’s cutlery, glassware and appliances have saved them many thousands of dollars.

One of the things we love about Crossroads is that we can place goods both near and far. This donation, for example, also filled an entire container bound for economically depressed communities in Ghana. A substantial amount of that same donation has, week by week, been helping fit out apartments for families and individuals in need inside Hong Kong, referred by Social Welfare or Hong Kong non-profits. We do, indeed, feel like a Crossroads: a place where those in need meet those who can resource them.

heart h t i w t n a r A re s t a u ly

t not on d restauran e n e p o ly w t for people Leo’s ne employmen d n a g in in a provides tr o make food , but they als th o b ck la o . Meals can wh in dire need se o th to le b en free, to availa r even be giv o , 8 $ s a le tt o far. cost as li is a bridge to t a th m o h atch those for w erefore a m th s a w r e ff o r The Excelsio , en for them v a e h in made une in saving a fort ery and ck cutlery, cro l other capita . re u it expend

30

HKCTU Tra ining C e n t re The HKC TU Tr aining Centr e in Tai Wo offers job trai ning courses for people from disadvantag e.g. mothers ed sectors, re -entering th e workforce, or others wh o have battled long-term unemploymen t. The Excelsio r's donation glassware ca of me at just th e ri g ht time for th HKC TU Train e ing Centre, w hen they wer establishing e a new bar ten ding course. money we sa "The ved we can n ow spend on better qualit more and y ingredients for training, an can increase d we the practice sessions we p students," sa ro vide to id Executive Director, Li H oi.

Social Enterprise: Serving globally

eaking Nepal: D ecent work br the povert y cycle

most girls in her go to school. She, like Indira’s brothers could home to do household owed. She had to stay all t no s wa , ity un comm and soon became ira moved out, married Ind , ns tee e lat r he In chores. ought little rpet weaver, but it br ca a as rk wo nd fou e pregnant. Sh not get better paid education, she could ved income and, without le as a painter. He mo d also earned very litt an sb hu r He t. g en lin ym emplo t that left Indira fee r pay for the family bu ung daughter. overseas to seek bette ney to care for her yo mo le litt th wi in, rta alone and unce at Indira connected It was at this point th aft Producers (ACP), with Association for Cr s producer. a fair trade handicraft ry different from ve "Weaving fabrics is said, "but Indira weaving carpets," they excelled." She now quickly adapted and ome than before, earns a far higher inc irl Child and thanks to ACP's "G , her little Education" programme Indira never daughter can do what We sell ACP's beautiful felte d prod could: attend school.

ucts, where th eir bird decorations ar e a particular favourite! Th ey come as a pack of three for HK $40.

nited and Today, the family is reu to strength. going from strength g through the Her daughter is movin a family, they are school system and, as me in Kathmandu. even purchasing a ho

de and our os which drives fair tra eth e th of e tal c ssi s for long Indira’s is a cla invest in entire familie to e sir de e th : op sh s Global Handicraft term change.

A "sweeter" home for Christmas The gift of work is one of the greatest we can offer and it’s something we at Crossroads love to celebrate each Christmas. Year by year, we select a fair trade or social enterprise group, somewhere in the world, to make thousands of Christmas cards for us.

Fair trade products sourced from

31 countries

For Christmas 2018, we partnered with a Shanghai group caring for people with disabilities. They are talented felt-crafters and produced a star which friends used as coasters for drinks, a base for a candle, a decoration for the tree or other purposes.

The Shanghai group is called Home Sweet Home and seeks to provide that for their employees.

A two-year vocational programme trains them in skills, as well as providing them with income.

They teach them how to make bags, uniforms and corporate gifts. They also teach shipping and logistics. In short, from Home Sweet Home, employees gain what they need for an independent life.

7,649 fair trade beverages sold

HK$ 895,503 in total revenue

63 producers of fair trade products supported 31

Partnerships: Serving locally

g kindness in ly ip lt u M : y it ents find it G oodC at some of their cli

I row this stuff out.

“I don’t want to th it. If s ed meone who ne want it to go to so a to easy way to get it only there were an good home!"

He knows th oose what to Crossroads to ch l ve tra to lt cu ffi di alth. e of age or poor he they need, becaus ow we "N enient," he says.

"The app is so conv r what they clients to search fo can just help our ally good!" need online. It's re

en hearing since It's a cr y we' ve be ly 25 ty ’s reach ar ted and, for near ed to see GoodCi cit ex e e’r W Crossroads first st da in more and more helping people fin ing rapidly to draw nd pa ex years, we' ve loved lping each ss kers and NGOs, he their quality exce or w se l po cia ur so -p , rs re no to do way people g into the hands of we’ve been seekin s s, od ar go ye e nt ac ce pl re to In r rs goods. b even othe be good neighbou logy to do that jo . “We all want to ed ne w, in Go ways to use techno t at M t nate,” says e began rolling ou who are less fortu e os th r, to he better. In 2016, w et og ople hind GoodCity. “T of apps which pe e creative force be th GoodCity, a series eds ss ne ro e ac or y m r many ings more easil building a way fo e e'r w t with can use to move th bu , rs as lla w ns of do e. At first, the app et: not with millio m be to Hong Kong onlin g e on tim ts of kindness am donors only, giving millions of small ac made available to 18 20 In . ice ove the serv neighbours.” to refine and impr to orkers and NGOs w l cia so d te vi in 19, we several City too. We held begin testing Good photo) to oads Village (see sr os Cr at ns io ss se d to of their needs, an hear more deeply find lp City can best he discuss how Good n projects. ents and their ow goods for their cli s HK, ited Social Service Mark Lo, CEO of Un and has , rs ty's early adopte was one of GoodCi and his app since 2018. He been trialling the r vulnerae elderly and othe rv se rs ke or w l cia so regularly hout Hong Kong, ble groups throug rniture fu ds for help with turning to Crossroa ts. ods for their clien and household go

Companies donating core competencies Year after year, we are grateful to companies in Hong Kong who use their core competencies to support our work. The donation of their pro bono services to Crossroads frees up much needed funding to serve more effectively, and, of course, brings expertise which we greatly need.  Legal Services: Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Skadden, Hogan Lovells, Cordells  Audit: BDO (formerly Grant Thornton)  Humanitarian Transport: APL, Maersk, Oriental Logistics, Shenship, Swire Shipping, Zim  Information Technology: Microsoft, Cisco, Qlik, Atlassian, Splunk  Architects: Nelson Chen Architects  Engineering: Arup  Design: Hong Kong Disneyland, M Moser  PR consultancy: Executive Counsel  Food: La Rose Noire, Feeding Hong Kong, FoodLink, FoodCo, Pret a Manger  Printing: Nordica Group  Product donations: Many kindly donated product again this year.

We can include only a few examples here, reflecting some of our most major donors: Al-Futtaim Group, ALBA Integrated Waste Solutions (HK) Ltd., APRIL International, Bank of America Merrill Lynch (BAML), Bellanis Ltd, British Council, Cathay Pacific Airways, China Light and Power (CLP), DB Mothers and Friends, G2000, H&M, Hasbro, Holiday Inn Golden Mile, ibis Hotels, IKEA, Jade Knitting & Garment Fty Ltd, J.P. Morgan, LUSH, Mayer Brown, Novotel, OnTheList, Orient Overseas Container Line Ltd. (OOCL), The Hong Kong Jockey Club, UBS, Mandarin Group of Hotels, Langham Hotels, Sincere Charity Foundation, Project Curiosity.

32

Partnerships: Serving globally

“I worked with refugees in the US for over 10 years but until today I had not considered the horrific experience they endured."

Bridget Perry, VP (EMEA), Adobe

World Economic Forum 2019: A Day in the Life of a Refugee “What does it look like to change this world?” asked Crossroads’ David Begbie, speaking to delegates at the World Economic Forum. The question has never been more relevant, as we look at a world creaking under mammoth pressures, including 70.8 million forcibly displaced people. Those gathered at Davos for WEF - multinational CEOs, government policy makers and other leaders - have the power, influence and resources to change the course of history for refugees, but they may not always feel connected to the human face of the problem.

In 2019, we brought a team from Crossroads to the World Economic Forum for the 11th year, and ran our refugee simulation for hundreds of delegates. It was another significant, perspective-altering time, and one that we’re privileged to be part of. Here is just a sample of feedback from participants: "There is a saying that goes, 'One doesn’t have to operate with great malice to do great harm. The absence of empathy and understanding are sufficient.' While other sessions [at WEF] discussed the issue of rising nationalism, this simulation had a direct impact that evoked empathy in us for the refugee crisis." Divya Badri, entrepreneur.

Premium Sponsors

2019 Sponsors We again brought our refugee simulation to world leaders at WEF in Davos, Switzerland, this January.

This would have been impossible without the generous financial support of our partners, who sponsored the simulation in 2019.

Sponsors

Pamela Phua

V. K. Hsu & Sons Foundation Ltd.

33

Caring for Quotes that Hong inspire Kong us

"I ask you to ensure humanity is served by wealth and not ruled by it.�

Pope Francis

In the media: Serving locally

Radio Television Hong Kong RTHK | Hong Kong

Sassy | Hong Kong

Lifestyle A

sia | Hong

Kong

HK01 | H

ng DHL Express | Hong Ko 36

ong Kon

g

Hands On HK | Hong Kong

In the media: Serving globally

The Borne

o Post | Ma

laysia

Die Presse

CondĂŠ Nast Trav

| Austria

eller | India

Le Temps | Sw

itzerland

The Straits Times | Singapore

CGTN Ch in

a Global

Televisio n

N e t wo r k

| China 37

Financials

Financial results for period 1st July 2018 to 30th June 2019 Revenue: 2017/18 HK$ 15,212,646

2018/19 HK$ 15,478,497

Our Revenue for the year July 2018 to June 2019 Total income received during the current 18/19 year was HK$15,478,497, as compared to HK$15,212,646 during the 17/18 year. Of 18/19 total, HK$4,343,101 (28.1%) was self-generated through the activities of the Global X-perience and Global Handicraft divisions, and a further HK$1,987,433 (12.8%) by full time volunteers.

While the level of income year on year was similar, the mix of income in terms of both designation of funds and class of donor types was quite different.

Designation of funds 2018/19 Shipping $352,604

Designation of funds 2017/18

General Funding $4,098,807

Volunteer Support $2,334,845

Shipping $1,097,647

Welfare app project $689,000 Trading & Services $4,814,568

Welfare app project $1,787,718

Volunteer Support $1,987,433

Designated Projects $2,177,779

Of note re donor designation of funds The 18/19 period saw a 27% increase in general non-designated donations to HK$5,224,466. (17/18 HK$4,098,807).

This important component enables Crossroads to direct monies to where most needed and support the overall objectives of the organisation. Effort continues to increase this crucial class of funding in the mix of funds, while focus also continues on funds to support specified projects.

Donor funding designated for specific purposes amounted to HK$3,923,497 whereas 17/18 was HK$3,964,426.

Again, while similar in amount, the 18/19 total included a major increase in the component received as a grant from The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust (HK$1,787,718) which was designated specifically for the development of the GoodCity app. The 17/18 GoodCity grant funds were a lesser HK$689,000, since the project only commenced in April 2018. Another significant component of designated funds, unique to 18/19, were grants received to enable the organisation to recover from damage incurred during Typhoon Mangkhut, which devastated Hong Kong in September 2018.

The funds designated during the period, specifically for shipping, were HK$352,604, a reduction from 17/18 shipping funds HK$1,097,647. This reduction was compensated for by the increase in undesignated general donations.

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General Funding $5,224,466

Designated Projects $1,783,175

Trading & Services $4,343,101

Class of donors 2017/18

Class of donors 2018/19

Government $27,060

Individuals $ 5,438,618

Education $1,504,837

Foundations & Charities $4,708,626 Individuals $ 5,960,731 Education $1,334,392

Corporates $4,815,560

Foundations & Charities $3,426,571

Government $11,654

Corporates $3,463,093

Of note re classes of donors The Class of Donors chart indicates that the revenue was primarily received from corporations, educational institutions, foundations and charities and from individuals. An insignificant element was received from government in the way of recycling subsidies.

The source mix remained similar year on year with the exception that, due to prevailing economic conditions, corporate donations reduced to HK$3,463,093 (22.4%) in 18/19, down from HK$ 4,815,560 (31.7%) in 17/18.

The corporate revenue reduction was compensated for by the increase in funds received from foundations and charities amounting to HK$4,708,626 (30.4%) in 18/19, up from HK$3,426,571 (22.5%) in 17/18.

Educational institutions contributed HK$1,334,392 (9%) during the current year.

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Financials

EXPENDITURE BY FUNCTION 2017/18

Fair trade project $695,191

Humanitarian education project $2,935,171

Global Hand $540,733

HK & international welfare and development projects $7,320,642

Capital Expenditure $251,253 Administration $680,637

Capital Expenditure $769,518

Disaster & development grants $1,378,669 Fundraising $291,787

Welfare app project $253,015

Functional expenditure during the period July 2018 to June 2019

Fundraising $318,597 Administration $743,393 Typhoon recovery & special projects $423,173 Disaster & development grants $287,284 Fair trade project $791,614

The table and chart indicate the functional nature of expenditure incurred during the period 1st July 2018 to 30th June 2019 comparing same with the 2017/18 period.

HK & international welfare and development projects include costs incurred to meet all expenditure related, firstly, to equipping Hong Kong families referred to Crossroads by social workers as being in need of help. Secondly, the amount includes the costs associated with goods receipt, storage and processing within Hong Kong, as well as the costs of compiling and shipping goods to international NGO consignees. As can be seen, these projects consumed 47% of total expenditure during the current year.

The Welfare app project represents the costs incurred in the development of the GoodCity app. These costs are closely aligned with a detailed budget associated with a grant for the project by Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust. The current year’s expenditure is significantly increased over the previous period since it covers a full year, as compared to a three month period during 2017/18.

Typhoon Mangkhut caused considerable damage to the Crossroads sites at both Gold Coast and Sunny Bay. We are extremely grateful to the community for promptly funding our urgent recovery costs. Some of these costs were capitalised during the period and some were classified as current expenses. Repairs to footpaths, window and door glass replacement and rubbish removal are examples of such payments deemed as repairs to existing facilities or site maintenance. A majority of the Typhoon recovery & special projects expenses, as well as the Capital Expenditure amount shown in the summary, relate to this typhoon recovery cost.

The category shown as Disaster and development grants represents fund allocations in response to specifically prescribed donations.

Fewer such donations were received during the current financial year, so the resultant allocations were less than during the previous period.

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EXPENDITURE BY FUNCTION 2018/19

Humanitarian education project $3,319,914 HK & international welfare and development projects $7,916,814

Welfare app project $2,291,907

FUNCTIONAL ALLOCATIONS DURING 2018/19 YEAR 2018/19

$1

= $1 $1 $1 $1 $1 $1 $1 $1 $1

K$ 1 Every H s donate rth o HK$ 9 w s of good

2017/18

$

% of Gross Expend

$

% of Gross Expend

Humanitarian education project

3,319,914

20

2,935,171

20

HK & international welfare and development projects

7,916,814

47

7,320,642

51

Welfare app project

2,291,907

14

793,748

5

Fair trade project

791,614

4

695,191

5

Disaster & development grants

287,284

2

1,378,669

10

Typhoon recovery & special projects

423,173

2

0

0

15,030,707

89

13,123,421

91

Administration

743,393

4

680,637

5

Fundraising

318,597

2

291,787

2

1,061,990

6

972,424

7

16,092,697

95

14,095,845

98

Capital Expenditure

Operating Expenditure

769,518

5

251,253

2

Gross Expenditure

16,862,215

100

14,347,098

100

Technology Platform Development including external software development, consulting and capital

3,018,954

Operating Expenses including technical and NGO liaison staff, marketing, logistics and overhead expenses

5,888,341

The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust

GoodCity Project During 2018/19 we continued development of the GoodCity project as part of a three-year grant from The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust.

GoodCity is a set of mobile apps that makes it faster and easier for goods donations to flow from donors to beneficiaries in Hong Kong. A senior software engineer was brought onto the team to help lead the app development, supported by three programmers, with particular expertise in the software used, based in India. During the period, we ramped up the service so that many more social workers could directly request goods or schedule warehouse visits for their clients and projects. By the end of the period, we were processing over one hundred orders and sixty donations per month through the new apps with strong growth each month. The project will continue rapid development into the coming year.

GoodCity Budget Overview

Gross Expenditure Funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust

The designated GoodCity grants and expenditure for the period are highlighted in the Crossroads income and expenditure summaries in this Annual Report.

Crossroads Funds Contribution Total Funding

$

8,907,295

$ 8,270,000 637,295 8,907,295

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Quotes that inspire us

"We can't help everybody, but everyone can help someone."

Ronald Reagan

Get connected

What can STUDENTS do with Crossroads?

We LOVE hearing from students or educational staff who want to make a difference. Students can: Step ‘into the shoes’ of others in need, through simulation We have a wide range of experiential programmes for students. Participants don’t simply sit and listen to a talk or watch a video. They actually take part.

Our x-periences deal with topics including refugees, blindness, poverty and fair trade. We offer different programmes for different ages. See the full menu at www.crossroads.org.hk/global-x-perience Join our six-week internship programme Crossroads interns are great global citizens! Each summer we welcome up to 100 interns across our site, doing work that impacts communities across the world. Internships can also be done any time of year. Great for your CV! Volunteer regularly to earn a Silver or Gold Student Service Certificate Students can volunteer doing jobs such as packing donated goods, helping in our shop /café, research / office work or support for our site. Volunteer tasks can vary and you can go at your own pace to work up enough hours for a certificate! Also great for your CV!

in our ipating .

U partic K urvival' H S r m o fo fr le Students ulation 'Strugg sim povert y

TEACHERS, YOU CAN: Consult on service learning for your curriculum For many years we have worked with schools to make their service learning meaningful and impactful! It’s something we’re passionate about.

Book an OLE (Other Learning Experiences) Professional Development Day for staff We can host staff from your school for professional development days focused on OLEs or other relevant topics.

Start the conversation!

Email enquiries@crossroads.org.hk 44

Bring fair trade to school We can help you sell goods from Crossroads’ fair trade shop at your school fair or event. Just pick up the goods from Crossroads, and after the event, return the funds raised and the unsold products to Crossroads.

Organise a goods drive Your school or student club can run a collection drive for Crossroads, and these goods are then sent around the world to people in need. We can advise on items most needed!

Put together disaster kits Collect or purchase goods for disaster kits (we can provide a list and instructions) and assemble them to deliver to Crossroads. We store the kits so we can be ready to help as soon as disasters hit, like earthquakes, typhoons or floods.

It’s called Disaster Preparedness and can be the difference between life and death.

Run a fundraiser You can make Crossroads the benefiting charity for your school fairs, events or productions. Students run some amazingly successful fundraisers!

Explore other special ways your school can make a difference! Got other ideas? We’d love to talk!

What can COMPANIES do with Crossroads?

Every year, we work with companies to help them help people in need.

There are many ways you can partner, including:

Donate goods located in Hong Kong Dealing with excess stock? Downsizing the office?

Upgrading computers, furniture or equipment? If you have quality goods to give away, please let us know. We can also offer your goods directly to a network of registered charities in Hong Kong who may need them.

Donate goods located anywhere else in the world Does your company or institution have goods located in another country? We’ll certainly be glad to look for a ‘match’ with people in need through our Global Hand service www.globalhand.org. Those receiving them may be in the same country or a different one. The NGOs handle the logistics (unless you want to), so you need only link up with them and they’ll take it from there.

Volunteer as a corporate team We welcome corporate teams to volunteer in two ways. We can offer ‘unskilled roles’, such as loading containers of aid, sorting donated goods, painting or whatever needs doing, large or small.

We also offer ‘skilled roles’ volunteering, such as refurbishing computers or training volunteers in a particular field.

Hold a corporate team building day, with both simulations and volunteering A day at Crossroads makes an excellent team build option.

We can help tailor the day to your group’s needs and interests.

Step 'into the shoes’ of others in need, through simulation We offer a range of simulations for corporate teams on issues like refugees, urban poverty, blindness and fair trade. Many companies choose programmes which tie in with their corporate agenda. Afterwards they explore ways their company’s core strengths can be aligned with the relevant global concerns. To see our full menu of simulations, visit www.crossroads.org.hk/ global-x-perience Donate your company’s services One of the main ways we function at Crossroads is through donated services. E.g. architects, engineers, accountants, shipping / air freight companies, printing and more. If, rather than cash, you would prefer to donate your services, that can be as ‘gold’ to us!

Run a fundraiser for Crossroads We’re rich in goods, but not in funds! We benefit annually from the generosity of companies who run fundraising evenings, galas, or make Crossroads the beneficiary of their charity events.

Bring fair trade to your company You can sell goods from Crossroads’ Global Handicrafts shop on consignment, supporting producers in need around the world. Simply return the proceeds and any unsold goods to Crossroads after the event.

Sponsor an international shipment Our international shipments require a limited amount of funding to reach their destinations, helping communities in need around the world.

Your company can sponsor a shipment and even help load it!

Got other ideas? Let’s talk!

Email engagement@crossroads.org.hk

ning a us by run ered with n paign. rt m a p ca e m draising n Hush Ho fu d n a llection goods co

A team

from J.P . Morga

n volun

teering.

45

Get Connected

46

Whoever you are, we'd love to connect with you!

Whoever you are: students, companies, families, NGOs, service groups, individuals who care about a world that is not okay, we’d love to connect with you! How?

DONATE GOODS Do you have goods to give away, whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere in the world? We’ll do our best to place them with those in need!

DONATE FUNDS Become a sustaining donor, hold a fundraiser, or make a corporate donation.

DONATE TIME & TALENT Volunteers are the engine of our work! Your time, talents and skills can make a real difference to people in need, especially if you can volunteer regularly.

BUY FAIR TRADE Empower people in poverty by buying their products at our fair trade marketplace and café.

BOOK AN X-PERIENCE Take a few steps ‘in the shoes’ of people facing global challenges.

Book as a group or an individual.

Afterwards, there’s a chance to debrief and discuss ways to make a difference.

RECEIVE GOODS If you need donated goods, make a request with Crossroads through a registered NGO or Hong Kong’s Social Welfare Department. We’re here to help!

Are you a school/university or company?

Flip to pages 44-45 of this Annual Report for a special list of ways you can work with us!

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We believe all can leave the world a little better than they found it.

Thank you for your help!

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