Advertisement

Mother and child volunteers in Hong Kong show how city’s needy can be served and how those keen to help can join

Charity food drive just one of 150 activities staged locally, as call made to boost local participation in such campaigns

Reading Time:3 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
The food Sharanya Crosbie (centre left) and daughter Kaishori Crosbie (centre) packed as it was delivered to Lai Tsui-king, 83, in Lai King. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Last Saturday starting at 8am, five-year-old Kaishori Crosbie carefully placed cans of meat and fish one by one into goodie bags that also contained toiletries.

Advertisement

She and her mother, Sharanya Jayawickrama, were taking part in a charity food drive preparing basic necessities for needy families in Hong Kong. Distribution was slated for this Saturday.

The pair spent three hours packing, and Jayawickrama, who is in her 30s, said she wanted her daughter to learn sympathy for others.

Sharanya Crosbie (centre) and daughter Kaishori Crosbie (left) packing bags of food in Pok Fu Lam. Photo: Jonathan Wong
Sharanya Crosbie (centre) and daughter Kaishori Crosbie (left) packing bags of food in Pok Fu Lam. Photo: Jonathan Wong

“She was surprised to know that things we take for granted don’t come easily for others and I want her to know that we should give back to families facing uneasy conditions,” Jayawickrama said, smiling as she recounted how her excited daughter had awakened at 6am, brushed her teeth and dressed herself.

Advertisement

The event was organised by non-profit group HandsOn Hong Kong and 50 of its NGO partners, including Sunshine Action, to mark Mother’s Day on Sunday. It underscored the different ways in which Hongkongers can devote their time and efforts to helping the less fortunate.

Advertisement