IN TODAY’S SOCIETY, time is one of the most valuable resources we possess. For most, the bulk of our waking hours are spent focused on work and career, with our limited free time dedicated to family, socialising, and personal interests.
Giving back to the community through volunteering is often a very personal decision, one that requires an open mind, compassion, a positive attitude, and a commitment of one’s time. Whatever an individual’s reasons for volunteering, they all share a common goal: a desire to make a difference.
“Inequalities in society made me decide to start volunteering,” says Sanday Chongo Kabange, a Zambian-Chinese national currently living and working in Hong Kong. “I wanted to take action and give back to the community.”
Helping others has long been a passion for Sanday; starting his volunteering journey in the city back in 2017, he has since worked with numerous organisations, including HELP for Domestic Workers, Habitat for Humanity, Feeding HK, Mission for Migrant Workers, HandsOn Hong Kong, Plastic Free Seas, and ImpactHK, to name but a few. He’s met many interesting people and made friends along the way, who not only share his enthusiasm, but also strengthen his resolve to make a difference.
“Volunteer work is not meant to feel like a competition. Just go out and be yourself, and don’t forget to find joy in what you’re doing” - Sanday Chongo Kabange
From distributing food and essentials to the homeless, to painting walls and cleaning jobs, to beach clean-ups around Hong Kong, Sanday’s roles within these organisations are wide and varied. It’s a busy life – Sanday also has a full-time job in Compliance and has completed his second Masters in Global Public Policy
– but one that brings him much enjoyment: “It is very fulfilling work and it has helped my self-confidence,” he shares. “I have learned to prioritise things and schedule my day, week, and month ahead to make sure I have time.”
What advice does Sanday have for those considering volunteering? “Even if you can only commit to 30 minutes of your time, this is already a huge help and a good start,” he says. “At the same time, don’t push yourself too much; volunteer work is not meant to feel like a competition. Just go out and be yourself, and don’t forget to find joy in what you are doing.”
Helping others has its benefits, both for the community and the volunteers themselves. The experience can offer a better perspective of life, with the sense of achievement and accomplishment helping to build self-esteem. Valuable life skills such as critical thinking, collaboration, and time management are developed along the way.
Claudio Canzonetta is a natural when it comes to coordinating people and events. Originally from Italy, working as a Company Director in Hong Kong since 2007 has honed his skills for problem-solving, tackling everything from logistical challenges to personnel issues.
Before the pandemic, Claudio started volunteering for the Crossroads Foundation, something he found very rewarding. He has since volunteered for and developed close ties with several other NGOs, including Food Angel, Breadline, ImpactHK, and Engineers Without Borders. Like Sanday, Claudio has a knack for making the most of his time; he also creates music and enjoys wall climbing, and still finds time for catching up with friends.
The initial apprehension of diving into volunteering and working with strangers can be overcome by finding somewhere or something that you’d like to donate your time to. “I think the best way is to just start; join a few organisations and try as many different things as possible,” Claudio shares. “This will give you insight and allow you to find your preferred volunteering activity… often it’s all about the right match!”
“I think the best way is just to start; join a few organisations and try as many things as possible… often it’s all about the right match!” - Claudio Canzonetta
Volunteering can also have a positive impact on our emotional well-being, helping to reduce anxiety, stress, and depression. The social element of helping other people can profoundly affect our general mental wellness.
Filipino migrant domestic worker (MDW) Jhic Dacio, a 2018 Resolve Fellow and Founder/Chairperson of SHARE – an organisation comprised of domestic workers with a mission of supporting their fellow MDWs in need – knows the effects of stress and anxiety all too well.
Being an active member of the LGBT community and community group Migrants’ Pride, Jhic has heard many heart-breaking stories, including individuals disowned by their family and friends because of their sexual orientation.
SHARE offers help in many different ways, such as feeding disadvantaged families back in the Philippines and sending care packages to MDWs in quarantine inHong Kong. But Jhic also sees SHARE as a healthy and fun experience for their team of volunteers, “Many MDWs who suffer stress and homesickness often turn to us for the camaraderie,” she says. “We are like a big family who care for one another.”
She continues, “Depression is common, especially in the LGBT MDW community, who are often not accepted by their families. By joining the activities that we organise, like Zumba sessions, boating, hiking, or volleyball, not only do they feel good because of the exercise, they also feel good about doing these things for a cause.”
As most MDWs only get one day off each week, the act of spending this time helping others may be viewed as astoundingly generous. Though it is also confirmation that regardless of who you are or how much time you can give, volunteering is all about giving back to the community freely and selflessly, with joy in your heart and knowing that every little bit helps.
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