Oxfam Express Jan 2011 issue Eng

Issue

42

January 2011 Houlianwan is a poor village located in Pingliang City of Gansu. In 2005, villagers’ net income per capita was only 470 yuan. The harsh living conditions are reflected in the local saying that there are “nine droughts every 10 years”, for the rainy season lasts for just three months, from July to September. Annual rainfall is 420 mm on average. Serious soil erosion has made the land barren and infertile. This, coupled with frequent natural disasters, means that farmers often have small and unstable yields. Their lives are extremely harsh.

Since 2006, Oxfam Hong Kong has been supporting community development programmes in Houlianwan to help villagers tackle the water shortage and develop sustainable livelihoods.

Water as the first step of livelihood improvement

photo by Benna Lo

“In the past, we carried water buckets on our shoulders and drew water from the nearby river. But the water was polluted and contained many microorganisms that adversely affected the people’s health. Women and children always got sick after drinking the unclean water. Besides, to get water we had to take a small path that was rugged and dangerous. In times of rain and snow it was impossible to walk along it,” said 71-year-old Cangfu as he carefully unloaded two buckets of water from the nearby water storage unit.

Water and Sustainable Development A clean water supply can make a huge difference in alleviating poverty and improving people’s health and livelihoods.

“My family of seven needs three buckets of water every day, which costs 3 cents,” said Cangfu. All the interest collected is used for maintaining water storage units and other facilities. The community development committee allows villagers to build management and teamwork skills, and form the good habit of saving water also.

In the first half of 2007, Houlianwan village faced its most serious drought in 50 years. “Had it not been for the tube well built by Oxfam, no humans or animals would have survived. Oxfam definitely saved us,” one villager recalled. The water system saved 480 villagers from the drought and also benefited five nearby villages, amounting to 2,200 people and

Working with people against poverty www.oxfam.org.hk

In 2006, Oxfam Hong Kong assisted Houlianwan villagers in building a tube well to access underground water 200 meters deep. At the same time, a 50 cubic meter reservoir, five water storage units and 100 water tanks were built. The whole village was mobilised to lay a 5,000 meter sewage pipe. To achieve the ultimate goal of self-reliance, Oxfam works to ensure that community members are involved in the process of poverty alleviation. Oxfam motivated villagers to set up their own water management committee and formulate systematic regulations on water consumption and charges, finance and management.

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Dear Oxfam Supporters,

Sincerely, John Sayer Director General Oxfam Hong Kong

Better livelihoods After numerous village meetings, Houlianwan villagers decided to join Oxfam’s cattle-raising project in an effort to improve their livelihoods. Last year, Oxfam provided one cow to each of 57 poor families, and invited experts to teach villagers skills and techniques of raising and breeding cattle. A breeding center and project management committee were set up, along with a Community Development Fund managed and operated by the villagers to ensure the sustainability of village projects.

Cangfu was among those who joined the cattle-raising programme. “Last year Oxfam provided me with a cow, which had a calf this year. It’s a new kind of cow that grows faster and is of better quality,” he said.

Cangfu estimates that his cow brings in an annual income of 2,800 yuan. “We are too old to farm now.

Raising cows requires less energy and I am confident that I will be able to continue to develop this business,” said Cangfu, happily feeding his cow with a basket of alfalfa.

Cangfu’s house is built on a slope from which we can see that the yellow plateau is hardly barren. The plateau is covered with small purple alfalfa flowers.

“Alfalfa is a nutritious kind of fodder, which also prevents soil erosion and improves the environment.

Last year we encouraged each family to grow 2 acres of alfalfa; so we have 220 acres in total now,” explained Mou Yichao , the Oxfam representative from the Lanzhou office.

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1 With clean water, the lives of Cangfu

(left) and other Houlianwan villagers have become much more convenient.

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2 Cangfu and his wife (left) spoke glowingly

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of the drastic changes brought about since they joined Oxfam’s programme.

3 Villagers attend cattle-raising training.

4 Oxfam provided water tanks for 110 families in Houlianwan village.

5 The cattle-raising programme helps

villagers earn more than 2,000 yuan.

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5

6

6 Alfalfa is a nutritious kind of fodder

which also prevents soil erosion and improves the environment.

Oxfam’s work in Pingliang

Qingshuiling

Regions Better livelihoods Cows and training provided to 122 families; 80% of the families earned 500-1,000 yuan from the project.

Built 120 cowsheds.

Houlianwan

Oxfam Hong Kong envisions a world free of disaster, conflict, hunger and poverty, in which everyone enjoys a sense of security and well-being. We will continue to do our best in 2011 to work toward this goal, with your help and support. Thanks for sharing our vision and helping to make it come true!

All the women of the village were overjoyed at the solution to their water problem. “We used to shower once a month, but now we shower every other day,” one woman said. “Hygiene has greatly improved.”

earthquake in April 2010. Oxfam Hong Kong was deeply saddened by the passing of Yichao.

China’s economy is developing rapidly and symbols of prosperity can be seen all across the nation. But this is not the whole picture. There is a serious gap between rich and poor.

Many of China’s rural and urban population are still finding it hard to make a living in the face of food insecurity, insufficient health care, a lack of education and unstable incomes.

Gansu province in northwest China is famous for its plateau landscape, but also for its poverty. Nearly half of Gansu’s counties are state-designated impoverished counties, including Pingliang City in eastern Gansu. A persistent water shortage, barren land, degraded environment, poor infrastructure and deficient communications continue to restrict the local Hui ethnic minority community’s chances of attaining prosperity and well-being.

Likewise, behind the outward scenes of prosperity, the number of people in Hong Kong experiencing poverty has also grown.

Among them are low-income workers and elderly people.

According to an Oxfam report released in September last year, “Employment and Poverty in Hong Kong Families”, poverty in Hong Kong has worsened in the past five-and-a-half years among families of low-income workers, and the gap between poor and rich families is at its highest ever. This is not a fact we in Hong Kong can be proud of; it is a fact we must try and change! Oxfam has been working alongside several partner organisations to address poverty issues in Hong Kong. We have called on the government to provide all-round pro-poor income protection policies as well as Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) to protect the most vulnerable members of our community.

1,700 livestock. A total of 2,500 tons of water were obtained from Houlianwan village’s supply.

Yichao passed away in a tragic car accident on 18 September 2010 while on his way *to Mou visit a project site in Yushu, Qinghai Province, an area that suffered severe damage in an

On behalf of Oxfam Hong Kong, I sincerely wish you a very happy and fulfilling year in 2011.

Since 2003, Oxfam Hong Kong has been supporting projects which combine income generation with environmental protection, infrastructure building, basic education and enhancement of women’s health care in Qingshuiling village and Houlianwan village in Pingliang City. In the process, we emphasise self-reliance through the direct participation of community members in all projects. We provide training to support further development of their livelihoods and their own communities. In this issue of Oxfam Express, residents of the two villages share their stories.

Projects against Poverty

Cows were provided to 57 families; each cow can generate more than 2,000 yuan in income.

Two agricultural training programmes were conducted.

Improved basic infrastructure 123 methane pits were built to provide clean energy, saving each family 600 yuan previously spent on coal every year.

61 water tanks were built, benefiting 170 families.

Better environment

Better medical and health care

700 acres of trees and 244 acres of grass fodder were planted.

Three first-aid kits were provided to villagers and three health workers were trained.

Solar-powered stoves were built to save each family 1,400 kg of firewood.

Energy-saving stoves were built for all 170 families in the village.

To access groundwater 200m deep,a well, 50m3 reservoir, five water storage units and 100 water tanks were built, ending a water shortage for 480 villagers and 300 cattle.

Roads were rebuilt.

The whole village was mobilised to grow 330 acres of trees and 220 acres of alfalfa, which can prevent soil erosion.

110 energy-saving stoves were built.

Two training programmes were organised to raise awareness of environmental protection.

Two first-aid kits were provided to villagers and two health workers were trained.

Two health checks and health care training for women were provided.

Health care training was provided for the whole village.

Better lives for women

Sustainable community development

Women used to take two hours to get 2-3 buckets of water from the river; now they obtain it right outside their houses.

Cow-raising groups, village groups and water management committees were formed in the two villages and training was provided for capacity building.

Energy-saving stoves and solar-powered stoves greatly reduced the workload of women.

In each project, villagers actively participated in decision making to foster a self-reliant community.

Women gained more access to information, technical training and social activities, enhancing their confidence and role in community building.

See the World Oxfam’s Emergency Relief Report

Various disasters occurring in many countries in the past few months have made life very difficult for millions of people in the affected areas. We sincerely thank you for your continuous support, which enables us to carry out emergency relief work around the world. Below is an update of our work in the last few months.

Qinghai Earthquake (April 2010)

Pakistan Floods (August 2010)

After the earthquake struck on 14 April, Oxfam Hong Kong immediately worked with the local government of Qinghai and NGO partners in the affected area to provide thick blankets, tents and water-proof fabric (for temporary shelter) to earthquake-affected people in Yushu County.

Oxfam Hong Kong has allocated HK$13 million (with HK$2 million from the HKSAR Disaster Relief Fund) to the relief of families affected by floods in Pakistan. We are working with other Oxfam affiliates and partners to assist 1.2 million people across four provinces – Khyber Pakhtoonkkhwa (formally NWFP), Sindh, Kashmir and Punjab with: • Temporary shelters and clean drinking water • Latrines, latrine cleaning kits, bathing facilities and washing pads to improve sanitation • Hygiene and household kits and hygiene training for public health awareness • Cash grant vouchers and temporary work to provide income for affected people

In November, we provided 8,000 bags of cow dung as fuel for 400 poor families in Jiegu Town so that earthquake-affected people can cope with the severe winter.

There are still 7 million people without adequate shelter. There are fears that malnutrition rates, pneumonia and other respiratory infections will sharply increase. Flood-affected people are in dire need of help.

As of November, we have allocated about HK$1.38 million for the relief work in Yushu. Meanwhile, we are implementing three-year rehabilitation projects with local government and partners to help restore the lives of people affected by the earthquake.

Oxfam plans to allocate a total of HK$800 million in this relief effort.

Vietnam Floods (October 2010)

China Floods (June 2010)

Heavy rains in central Vietnam resulted in serious flooding in the five provinces of Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri and Thua Thien Hue. Houses and rice fields were heavily damaged.

Oxfam has committed HK$3,478,155 (with HK$980,000 from the HKSAR Disaster Relief Fund) to work with local authorities as well as partners in providing relief to flood-affected communities in China. We have provided relief supplies to more than 42,000 people in over 45 seriously affected impoverished villages in 11 cities and counties in Yunnan, Guizhou, Sichuan, Shaanxi and Gansu provinces since July, including: • Food items such as rice, flour and cooking oil • Quilts, medical supplies, clothing and cooking utensils • Health training to improve environmental hygiene and prevent disease

Oxfam Hong Kong has been working in Vietnam for more than 20 years. We have assisted many people in Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh and Quang Tri to advance their well-being over the years.

Oxfam Hong Kong has committed HK$156,000 to work with other Oxfam affiliates on a HK$2.7 million emergency project in Vietnam to provide 40,000 people with: • Cash grants for buying emergency food and basic necessities • Hygiene kits and buckets, and training on public health • Short-term cash crops such as peanuts and beans for early recovery

Myanmar Cyclone (October 2010) Cyclone Giri hit Myanmar in late October, with the major towns of Kayaukpyu and Myepon severely affected. Thousands of people were displaced and thousands of houses were destroyed.

■ A flood-affected villager in Shaanxi receives Oxfam’s relief items.

Oxfam Hong Kong committed HK$1.58 million to provide 55,000 poor affected people with cash grants to buy food and water, as well as to buy seeds and other farming tools for early recovery.

The government needs more de

termination to alleviate poverty

Africa Food Crisis Severe droughts followed by serious flooding have resulted in a food crisis affecting millions of people in many African countries. Oxfam Hong Kong has allocated HK$4 million (HK$2 million for each country) in response to food crises in Niger and Chad, including: • Cash vouchers for 11,200 people to buy food and non-food items in Niger • Materials and training to improve farm production and grain stock management for 42,597 people in Chad

So, Ar Yee decided to look for a part-time job to earn more money. She explained, “I cannot be away from home for too long, in case my son relapses.

I need to be there for him.” Ar Yee was willing to do whatever job was available, but there were few opportunities to work in Tin Shui Wai, so she had to look for opportunities in other districts. Finally, she found a job in Kwun Tong, working five hours a day, three days a week washing dishes, earning a monthly income of less than HK$3,000 (HK$25 per hour). She has to spend more than HK$700 a month on transportation, leaving very little for the family’s daily expenses and her son’s education fees. Ar Yee is not eligible to apply for the government’s transport support scheme for low-income earners, as the subsidy is restricted to

Summer monsoon rains in July and the overflowing of the Amnok River flooded nearly the whole of North Korea, inundating farmland and destroying homes. This disaster worsened the starvation and deaths already occurring in the country.

Oxfam Hong Kong allocated about HK$1 million to provide 320 tonnes of maize to 2,585 people affected by floods in Ryonghyon and Naeyae Farms in North Hwanghae Province.

Trip u r e e izho lunt

in Hong Kong ■ Ar Yee, a single mother and a member of the working poor hopes, “the government can extend and expand the transport subsidy scheme, so that we can paddle our own canoe.”

people who work for at least 72 hours a month.

Ar Yee hopes, “the government can extend and expand the transport subsidy scheme, so that we can paddle our own canoe.”

Poverty Trend in Hong Kong According to the Hong Kong Poverty Report released by Oxfam in September, 2010, ten per cent of all households (192,500) fall into the poverty network. This is an upsurge of 12 per cent compared to the report in 2005. Among these households, over 60 per cent have three to four family members, including at least one child or elderly person. The total number of people in the poverty network is over 660,000. Furthermore, the proportion of economically dependent family members in poor households with working members (‘working poor’)1 is higher than those with median incomes.

On average, the number of economically dependent family members in a household with median income is 0.8; in a household of the ‘working poor’ the figure is 2.

The report also points out that for the lowest-earning 10 per cent and 20 per cent of households in Hong Kong, the median monthly incomes are merely HK$3,000 and HK$6,000 respectively. On the other hand, in the second quarter of 2010, the median monthly income of the highest-earning 10 per cent of households was HK$80,900. In other words, the income of the top 10 per cent of households is 27 times higher than that of the bottom 10 per cent of households.

■ WONG Shek Hung (left), Advocacy Officer and Alfred CHOY, Programme Officer, our colleagues in the Hong Kong Programme, speak on the situation of the working poor and their families, as revealed in the Oxfam Poverty Report: Employment and Poverty in Hong Kong Families, published on 19 September 2010.

The Government’s Short-term Poverty Assistance Will Not Solve the Long-term Poverty Problem Oxfam welcomes the Hong Kong government’s decision to embrace our recommendations for the expansion of poverty alleviation schemes. In the 2010 Policy Address, the government announced it would expand the scope of the transport subsidy scheme, which covered only four districts, to include the entire territory of Hong Kong. It also agreed to expand the scope of the Neighbourhood Support Child Care Project (NSCCP) to eighteen districts. Although the scheme provides a certain level of child care for

low-income households, the government has been criticised for the limited scope of its policy and its lack of long-term strategies to decrease poverty.

Along with the widening gap between the wealthy and the poor, many more tribulations face the working poor. Oxfam has submitted proposals to the government regarding the minimum wage, the expansion of the transport subsidy scheme to every distinct in Hong Kong, plus the relaxing of the application criteria for low-income workers

under the scheme to include part-time employees. The government should consider an employee’s need to sustain a family, and cancel the restriction on the subsidy to a maximum of one year. On top of that, Oxfam has encouraged the government to increase its subsidies and extend the service hours for home-based child care services and after school care services.

These measures would better meet the needs of families with children whose parents have lengthy or unstable working hours.

Long-term Measures Needed to Tackle Future Challenges Oxfam expects that the government, given its substantial financial reserves, will be able to devise long-term policies to eliminate poverty in Hong Kong. We also anticipate that the government will come up with specific goals and steps it can take toward eradicating poverty.

Issues such as housing for elderly people in need, and support for low-income workers with children, are among the challenges the

government must face. The most effective way to solve the problem of housing for the elderly is to implement a universal pension scheme. In the long run, the government should consider re-establishing the Commission on Poverty. It should also explore the possibility of introducing tax reduction policies to assist families with incomes that place them below the poverty line, but make them ineligible for Comprehensive

Social Security Assistance. This would supplement the current insufficient social welfare, and also promote a positive public image of CSSA recipients. Furthermore, it would encourage low-income citizens to join or remain in the labour force long enough to improve their livelihoods in a sustainable manner.

A ‘working poor’ household is one whose total income is less than half of the mean income of a family of comparable size, and which includes at least one employed person (other than a foreign domestic helper). Download the Oxfam poverty report: www.oxfam.org.hk/en/news_1301.aspx

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■ Oxfam provides cash vouchers to families in Niger for emergency food and other basic needs.

North Korea Food Crisis

A Single Mother’s Struggle Ar Yee is a single mother living in Tin Shui Wai. In order to take care of her son who suffers from mood disorders, she became a full-time mother and got by on Comprehensive Social Security Assistance.

Later, her son was admitted to university. Ar Yee was so pleased and proud of his achievement. On the other hand, she was very frustrated as she couldn’t afford his school fees and other academic expenses.

■ Saima Mohammad Yousaf (left) and Habiba Rehmat receive winter kits from Oxfam to cope with the harsh winter in Pakistan.

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From 19 to 24 October, 2010, six volunteers travelled to Guizhou province in China to observe projects supported by Oxfam Hong Kong.

The Beauty of Mutual Help among People

by Bonnie Chan

This was my first time to join an Oxfam project visit.

During the six-day trip, we visited two villages in Guizhou province, China. The trip provided me a good opportunity to see the achievements of Oxfam’s poverty alleviation work.

■ Bonnie sees the beauty of mutual help among people during the volunteer trip to Guizhou.

The first village we visited was Qiaoshang village, which is a state-designated poverty-stricken village.

After analysing the drivers of poverty there, Oxfam and community members agreed that growing vegetables and raising geese could generate more income than traditional farming. It really amazed me to see villagers growing three different types of crops on one piece of land to increase their income.

It also impressed me to see Oxfam’s “help people help themselves” principle working so well there. Villagers from a neighbouring village shared their experience and skills with villagers in Qiaoshang on how to raise geese in a better and sustainable way. I am confident that mutual support and close cooperation among communities can make a difference. I am also confident that they soon will enjoy their golden harvest.

Our next stop was Xigua village in Guiyang. We visited the Community Centre for Migrant Children supported by Oxfam.

The children there approached us and played with us enthusiastically. Later we learned that when the children first joined the project, they were very shy and were not as confident as now. After the Yushu Earthquake in Qinghai province in April 2010, these children performed at fundraising activities, singing to ask for donations from others. In this way they supported earthquake-affected people in Yushu and helped them cope with the disaster and rebuild their lives. Although they are small, they still did their best for people in need. This virtue is worth learning for all.

After this trip, I could deeply see the beauty of mutual help among people. Even a little help can make a difference for people in need.

As long as you are willing to give and share, you will receive incredible rewards.

I hope I can participate in other project visits with Oxfam.

Oxfam Activities Meaning of Wealth

New Interactive Workshop: The Twins of Treasure Hunting

Our Oxfam Supporter, Ms Leung, is strongly committed to the mission of Oxfam and its working principle of ‘helping people help themselves’. She has long been a monthly donor to Oxfam, and in 2009 she even made a will to continue extending her love to poor people after she dies.

A child is hunting for treasure on a hillside. He digs and digs with a trowel, sweating profusely. Not far away, an old man is also digging in the mud with an iron key, he is looking for something as well. So, what actually are they hunting for?

This is a story about searching. Uncle Hung, a story-teller beloved by children, will inspire his listeners to rethink our relationships with people, with nature, and with the land.

Date Venue

‘I am a simple person with a simple lifestyle. I think money is only useful to exchange for our basic necessities in living. When I leave this world, my money will become nothing but a meaningless figure.’ Ms Leung could leave everything to her family but she has made a different decision. She has made a will and will donate all her belongings to non-profit organisations. Oxfam Hong Kong is one of them.

Ms Leung hopes that her contribution will help poor people start new lives with sustainable livelihoods and basic infrastructure. ‘Hong Kong is a thriving and prosperous city. It is easy for us to obtain the bare essentials compared to people who are living in developing countries. I will donate my legacy to Oxfam with the hope that I can help poor people make a change.’

If you are interested in including Oxfam as a beneficiary in your will, please contact Vicky NG at 3120 5258 or email:vickyn@oxfam.org.hk for details.

: 30 April 2011 (Saturday) : Oxfam Hong Kong Interactive Education Centre 9/F China United Centre, 28 Marble Road, North Point Time : 2:30pm – 5:30pm (Please arrive at 2:20pm) Language : Cantonese (English translation provided) • For parents and their children aged 9 or above.

• Participants will be asked to sit on the floor, please remove your shoes before entering the centre For enquiries, please contact us at 3120 5000 or fax 2590 6880.

Oxfam Musical Marathon 2011 2011 is the 21st anniversary of the Oxfam Musical Marathon! This annual event will take place at shopping malls around Hong Kong. Sponsored by their friends and families, young musicians from different schools and music centres will perform wonderful melodies - a harmonious way to help end poverty! Donations go towards community projects across the world. Keep your eye on www.oxfam.org.hk

Oxfam Trailwalker 2010 O.N.E – Oxfam News E-magazine

The 29th Oxfam Trailwalker was successfully held from 19th to 21st November, 2010.

Oxfam’s free online magazine of stories, photos, case studies, and campaigns, from near and far.

To subscribe, please visit: www.oxfam.org.hk/en/subscribetonne.aspx

This year, a record-high number of 4,116 walkers (1,029 teams) set out from the Start Point in Pak Tam Chung in four rounds! Finally 3,559 walkers overcame the challenge of 23 hills and completed the 100km trail within the time limit of 48 hours, representing 86% of all walkers. Even more encouraging, more than 700 teams reached the Finish Point at Yuen Long as full teams of four members, which is about 70% of the total number of teams. The first two teams, representing the People's Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison, completed the trail in 11 hours 59 minutes and 12 hours 31 minutes respectively, followed by the third team, Salomon Bonaqua Racing, which completed it in 12 hours 39 minutes.

《CHINA VOICES》 Oxfam Hong Kong has given expression to a range of CHINA VOICES by launching a book that features a collection of people’s stories and photographs – a village drama troupe in Henan province that challenges gender stereotypes; a rock band of migrant workers in Beijing that amplifies labour laws; a non-profit group called LOVE that inspires middle-class Shanghai youth to take action; government units in Guangxi province that address poverty through community participation; rural residents in Yunnan that tackle poverty, domestic violence, alcoholism and suicide.

CHINA VOICES not only depicts the lives of farmers, women, migrant workers, ethnic minorities and community workers in China’s impoverished rural areas, it is also a chronicle of Oxfam’s work in China over the past 23 years.

Oxfam Hong Kong designated ‘Run with Oxfam Trailwalker...Run with us Against Poverty!’ as the theme of the Oxfam Trailwalker 2010 event. The road to end poverty is long and hard, but just like Oxfam Trailwalker, it is an achievable task. We are confident that with your continued support, we can help poor people rise above poverty.

Publisher Length Discounted Price Editors

: Oxfam Hong Kong : 162 pages : HK$88.20 (including local postage) : Lot Felizco, Madeleine Slavick

To order online, please visit: www.oxfam.org.hk/en/eshop.aspx

For more information, please visit: www.oxfamtrailwalker.org.hk

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR OXFAM RICE SALE 2011 This is our biggest fundraising event to support projects in Mainland China. We invite District Councils, schools, community centres, youth centres, government departments, companies, and places of worship – any group – to sell small packets of Oxfam Rice or to place bulk orders.

Oxfam Donor Activities – Reply Form Please fax this form to 2590 6880 or send it to Oxfam Hong Kong, 17/F China United Centre, 28 Marble Road, North Point, Hong Kong – mark the envelope “Donor Activities”

We also invite Oxfam Supporters to volunteer at the event– it’s fun to offer these small bags of rice to the public and see their curious responses!

Full Name:

Oxfam Rice Sale: May 7, 8, 14 & 15

Age:

Oxfam Partner No. (if any): MD

Occupation:

Telephone (Day):

(Night):

Email:

For more information: Tel: 2520 2525 Fax: 2590 6880 Email: info@oxfam.org.hk Interested parties please fill in the form and fax it to 2590 6880 or mail to us.

Please tick

:

Visit the Community Development Alliance in Hong Kong (12 March) Name of participant:

Meeting Organisations in Hong Kong: Community Development Alliance

New Interactive Workshop: The Twins of Treasure Hunting (30 April)

Oxfam Hong Kong has worked in over 70 countries, as well as in Hong Kong. We invite you to join us for a visit to the Community Development Alliance, one of many local organisations we support.

Established in 2005, the Community Development Alliance (CDA) encourages the participation of residents in community development as well as advocating for the rights and interests of disadvantaged groups. The alliance is based in Tin Shui Wai North.

Tin Shui Wai is one of the poorest districts in Hong Kong. There are three major issues in Tin Shui Wai: high transport expenses for low-income employees, serious unemployment problems among the youth and middle-aged people, and limited local job opportunities and employment support services. The CDA calls upon the government to extend the existing “Transport Support Scheme”, to enhance current employment support programmes, and to establish hawker bazaars on vacant sites in Tin Shui Wai. Date Time Place to visit Meeting Point

: 12 March 2011 (Saturday) : 2:30-5:00pm : Community Development Alliance (Central Square, Tin Heng Estate, Tin Shui Wai) : 1:30pm, Tsuen Wan MTR Station Exit C

You and your friends are invited. For enquiries, please contact us at 3120 5245

Fax: 2590 6880

Name of participant:

Age:

Name of participant:

Age:

Name of participant:

Age:

Volunteer Recruitment – Oxfam Rice Sale Venue:

Name of participant:

□Hong Kong Island □Kowloon □New Territories (Kwai Tsing, Tsuen Wan, Shatin or Tai Wai)

Rice Sale Date

Time Slot 12:00 - 15:30

Time Slot 2 15:30 - 19:00

Whole Day 12:00 - 19:00

Time Slot 10:30 - 14:30

Time Slot 2 14:30 - 18:30

Whole Day 10:30 - 18:30

7 May (Sat) 14 May (Sat)

8 May (Sun) 15 May (Sun) • We will contact you in mid-April to confirm the details of the event.

• Parents or guardians must accompany volunteers under the age of 14.

• A volunteer certificate will be sent to every volunteer by post within 1 to 2 months upon completion of the event.

An Angin eer Turne

d Develo

pment W orker

Reports / Acknowledgements Aman Yee Deputy Programme Manager – Rural Development & Disaster Management, China Unit and environmental conservation are key elements of our rehabilitation projects.”

Aman Yee, a native Hongkonger, studied engineering in university as he believed it could help change the world for the better. After graduation he worked as an engineer for a few years.

During that time he had the opportunity to travel in developing countries, where he found that people were greatly in need of help. In 2000, he embarked on a new journey – as a development worker.

Looking back on the past 10 years, Aman said with a smile: “My work life has been bitter, spicy, sour and sweet. Change doesn’t happen in a day. It takes a long time to plan and implement a development project. It also takes a long time before any impact can be seen. Sometimes this process is painstaking and I can only taste a little bit of sweetness. However, when I see villagers building up their confidence to take up community development, people making positive changes in their behaviour, children growing up healthy, marginalised people being empowered, governments starting to care about poor communities, then I know all the hardships are worthwhile. No other job could bring me the same sweetness and satisfaction.”

Aman joined Oxfam Hong Kong in 2008 and is now based in Lanzhou, Gansu province, China.

He leads a team of eight people which is responsible for Oxfam’s development and emergency projects in Gansu, Shaanxi and Qinghai provinces, as well as the 5.12 Wenchuan Earthquake rehabilitation programmes in Gansu and Shaanxi, where many villages were seriously affected by the worst earthquake in China in 50 years.

His Chinese name, Yu Zhenwei, is homophonous with “mighty aftershock” in Chinese. He jokingly said he should change it to “Yu Zhenting” (meaning to stop the aftershock) before entering an earthquake-hit area.

The committed development worker rushed to earthquake-devastated Yushu County in Qinghai province in April last year, where he coordinated Oxfam’s humanitarian relief work. Currently, Oxfam is working with the local government as well as partner organisatons to implement two-to-three-year rehabilitation projects in Yushu. Aman added, ”Oxfam’s strength is in community development. We ensure that sustainable development, cultural preservation

The world has witnessed the rapid development of China's economy in recent years. It has even overtaken Japan to become the world's second largest economy. It is generally believed that China has enough resources to deal with domestic disasters and poverty itself. Does this mean that NGOs will gradually become unimportant in China?

Aman disagrees. “Many people in rural China still live very difficult lives. According to official statistics, in 2008 there were still more than 40 million people in China living on less than 100 yuan a month. At the end of 2009, there were about 3.9 million impoverished people in Gansu province.

They are scattered in remote mountain areas with poor living conditions and are very vulnerable to disasters.

Therefore, there is still plenty of room for NGO work in the Mainland. However, working in these areas can be quite challenging and we have to carefully plan our strategies."

Aman also thinks that the government and NGOs focus on different aspects of the problem. He explained: "For relief and reconstruction, the central government's strategies are top-down and it mainly supports large-scale infrastructure projects such as rebuilding houses and roads. But some of the most remote and poor areas may not be taken care of immediately. NGOs like Oxfam play a crucial part in filling the gap in this regard. For example, our Wenchuan earthquake reconstruction projects are focused on the most remote poor areas where affected communities received the least resources. This has always been Oxfam’s approach. As for development work, because of our relatively small scale, we can work closely with community members and find suitable ways to assist them to walk their way out of poverty and stay out of poverty.”

Due to his demanding work and frequent field trips, Aman can only afford to come back to Hong Kong to visit his parents every two to three months. “I thank my parents for their love, understanding and support,” he said. He seldom feels lonely, however, as he has like-minded friends in Lanzhou that are very supportive.

Aman (centre) in Yushu to coordinate Oxfam’s emergency relief work in April, 2010.

When asked how he managed to balance work and life, he responded, "My work requires me to work and interact with many people; I have to talk so much. So during holidays I prefer to stay at home and to speak as little as possible to let my brain and mind rest."

Last September, Aman lost a team member in a car accident during a work trip to Yushu. Aman described the incident as “an unprecedented setback”. But “faith, hope and love” – his motto – helped him get through that most difficult time.

Faith, hope and love are the driving force behind each development worker.

Baby-kingdom Car1HK CUP Magazine Publishing Limited Dunn’s Education

Gitone Fine Arts Limited Korea Garden Restaurant mybb.com.hk SA Direct Limited

she.com ThreeSixty Vennic Limited Viet’s Choice

Oxfam Trailwalker 2010 Principal Sponsor

Official Apparel

State Street Corporation

Columbia

Logistics Sponsors

Official Footwear

Asia Miles CLP Power Hong Kong Limited PCCW Limited

Montrail

Official Outdoor Shop Protrek

Official Energy Food CLIFBar

Official Low Carbon Service Provider SGS Hong Kong Ltd.

Official Gear Vaude

Official Webcasting Sponsor Vcast, Inc.

Official Drinks Sponsor Vitasoy International Holdings Limited

Oxfam Barefoot Day Oxfam Ambassadors: Ivana Wong Sammy Leung Hugo Lam South Ho Titan Lam

Aman visiting a Wenchuan earthquake rehabilitation project in Gansu last year.

Supporting Companies/Groups

Supporting Schools

Action Waterfall Alfax Media car1.hk Deep Interactive Company Limited Dream House Easy Groups Limited Escapade Sports (CWB Shop) Hong Kong Health Check & Medical Diagnostic Group Limited MegaBox Development Co Ltd Monster.com NotebookStore.com.hk Panalpina China Ltd Protrek RICOH RoadShow SGS Hong Kong Ltd. Store Friendly Self Storage Group Tanrich (ASIA) Financial Limited The Bank of East Asia, Limited The Hongkong Electric Co., Ltd. Voix Studio We're Volunteers!

Canossa Primary School GCCITKD Lau Pak Lok Secondary School Gertrude Simon Lutheran College H.K.S.Y.C.I.A. Wong Tai Shan Memorial College Hong Kong Adventist College Hong Kong Chinese Women's Club College Hong Kong Taoist Association Tang Hin Memorial Secondary School Madam Lau Kam Lung Secondary School of MFBM Office of Institutional Advancement and Public Affairs, Hong Kong Lingnan University Ping Shek Estate Catholic Primary School QESOSA Tong Kwok Wah Secondary School S.T.F.A. Leung Kau Kut College S.T.F.A. Leung Kit Wah Primary School Salesian Yip Hon Millennium Primary School Salesian Yip Hon Primary School Shau Kei Wan East Government Secondary School Shun Lee Catholic Secondary School St. Anthony's School St. Margaret's Co-educational English Secondary and Primary School Tsung Tsin Christian Academy Yaumati Catholic Primary School Yuen Long Lutheran College (ELCHK)

Oxfam Partners Recruitment Campaign - Exhibition Area Sponsorship (August 2010 to November 2010):

Goodwell-Fortune Property Services Limited City One Plaza The Metropolis Mall

Total Programme Expenditure: HK$83 million (1 August 2010 - 30 November 2010)

8%

South Asia 20%

(Bangladesh, Pakistan, India and Nepal )

The Mekong

6%

Hang Lung Properties Laguna Plaza Henderson Property Agency Limited Shatin Centre Shopping Arcade

Archipelagic Southeast Asia (Indonesia, the Philippines and Timor Leste)

Other

11%

(North Korea, Malawi, Zambia and global)

(Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam)

55%

Henderson Real Estate Agency Limited Fanling Centre Sunshine City Plaza Hong Kong Housing Authority Housing Department Shun Tin Estate Property Management Office Lei Muk Shue Shopping Centre On Kay Court Shopping Centre Hopewell Real Estate Agency Limited Hopewell Centre Lands Department Leisure and Cultural Services Department Tuen Mun Cultural Square

China (The Mainland and Hong Kong)

Optative Company Limited C C Wu Building MTR Property Management Maritime Square

957 on-going projects (as of 30 November 2010) * The programme expenditure is subject to audit and will be published in the Annual Review 2010/2011.

Printed on 100% recycled paper using soy oil-based ink

3120 5000

www.oxfam.org.hk

2590 6880

info@oxfam.org.hk

Sino Group Avon Mall China Hong Kong City Island Resort Mall Kwun Tong Plaza Maritime Bay Shopping Mall Regentville Mall Sun Hung Kai Properties Limited Chelsea Heights Chi Fu Landmark Hong Kong Plaza K-Point New Jade Shopping Arcade Sun Kwai Hing Plaza Sun Yuen Long Centre Yuen Long Plaza The Link Management Limited Chun Shek Shopping Centre Chung On Shopping Centre Fung Tak Shopping Centre Ho Man Tin Plaza Hoi Fu Shopping Centre Kai Tin Shopping Centre King Lam Shopping Centre Lei Yue Mun Plaza On Ting Shopping Centre Oi Tung Shopping Centre Sau Mau Ping Shopping Centre Shek Lei Shopping Centre Sheung Tak Shopping Centre Siu Lun Shopping Centre Sun Chui Centre Tin Chak Shopping Centre Whampoa Garden Management Limited Wonderful Worlds of Whampoa

Editorial Committee: Kanie Siu, Maranda Wong, Brenda Lee OXFAM HONG KONG: 17/F China United Centre, 28 Marble Road, North Point, Hong Kong Oxfam Hong Kong Interactive Education Centre: 9/F China United Centre, 28 Marble Road, North Point, Hong Kong The Oxfam Shop: LG 8, Jardine House, 1 Connaught Place, Central (Tel: 2522 1765)