26 July 2010

Such Stimulating Stories

First off, I just want to take a line or two here to thank you. As you know,
I am a volunteer, all of the staff here are, and there would be no way this
work could get done without your financial support.

My mom just spent a few weeks here - which was an AMAZING time - and she
commented on how even though I'd told here what we do out here, whe had no
idea the reality and breadth of the work until she saw it for herself. She
even said that if she were single, she'd stay and do this work for free
after seeing how effectively it meets the needs of the destitute and
vulnerable (don't tell her I told you). Now, I know most of you can't come
see for yourselves, so below you will find stories, statistics, samples and
stimulants all for your enjoyment and better understanding of this work and
this world.

So please, I invite you to read on. I invite you to comment. I invite you to
question. I invite you to wonder at how a world can be so rich and so poor.
I invite you to be a part of the bridge suspended over that gap.


Stories:
Crossroads began over 15 years ago by shipping relief goods to floods in China.
We are still very focused on taking Hong Kong’s excess quality goods and
redistributing them to grassroots organizations worldwide. For each of
these shipments there is a story behind how the goods we send are meeting
the daily needs of these groups and helping them to reach more people.
Here is one I have been working on sponsorship and logistics for recently:

A 15 year civil war has left Liberia ranked the second poorest country in
the world today. Much of the population lives without basic necessities such
as clean water, in a nation whose unemployment rate is upwards of 80%. Many
children continue to suffer the after effects of the war. The orphaned and
abandoned often survive on the streets, many of them the 11,000+ former
child soldiers suffering from severe mental and physical post traumatic
stress. These children are prone to be involved in criminal activity and
drug abuse.

In Liberia one will see children breaking rocks in order to earn a few
dollars. Here you will witness children with ‘short sleeves’ and ‘long
sleeves’ – depending on where the machete fell on their small bodies.
Our consignee in Liberia began their work 11 years ago during the height of
the civil war. They are dedicated to helping children who are trapped in the
cycle of urban poverty. Through providing free primary education to orphans
and street kids, including sporting activities, they are able to reach out
to the youth in their community. Their orphanage is presently looking after
60 children, providing them education, food and a safe home. They have also
set up education programs in Monrovia’s refugee camps.

Crossroads will be sending clothing, shoes, computers, school furniture,
sports equipment, stationery and toys to support their work and enable them
to reach out to more children in desperate need of a safe place to grow,
learn and live.


Statistics:
I spent part of this week pulling together some stats for the Executive
Director’s Report. Here’s some fun facts I found in it:

In 2009 we:
* Shipped humanitarian aid to Angola, Cambodia, Cameroon, China, Croatia,
DPR Korea, Ghana, Israel, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Moldova, the Philippines, The
Gambia, Uganda and Zimbabwe
* Distributed 2,025 cubic meters of goods to the needy (the equivalent of
67.5 40 ft containers) locally and internationally
* Had 12,836 people go through our on-site experiential learning exhibits
* Launched www.globalhand.org (third version) and www.business.un.org (ok,
well, that was early 2010)


Samples:
Most days I peel myself away from my desk thinking ‘whew, what a day!’ and I
love it. Along with ongoing projects and finding funding, comes a smattering
of random occurrences that keep me on my toes. Last month, for example, I
suddenly found myself insanely hungry so took a quick break down to our
fair-trade shop for a quick snack. While down there I was snagged and asked
to speak to two corporate volunteers about our shipping needs. One of the
men turned out to be the chairman of alumni for a prestigious business
management school in Hong Kong. He wanted to help beyond his company's
volunteer day and is now searching his database of over 40,000 worldwide
management level corporate each time we are in need of shipping or logistics
help! It makes such a huge difference when you’ve got a name to drop and an
intro email when approaching someone for financial help, instead of making
cold calls… and stellar connects like this can be integral to getting aid to
the people who need it. It must have been a divine hunger.


Stimulants:
As you know, I am working as a volunteer here and am only able to because of
the amazing people who support me through financial and material giving.

Some people have been asking what personal needs I have at the moment. Thank
you for asking! While my Crossroads support is essentially covered (rent and
food), there are some specific personal needs that I'm facing.

They include:
*Chiropractic work- the only thing that keeps my back out of chronic pain
(which I am given at an amazing discount of $20us per weekly visit!)
*Transportation costs– the public transport system in HK is amazing
($15us per week)
*Plane ticket– as the end of my year commitment quickly approaches, I am
on the look out for frequent flier mile donations or money towards my ticket
*Sanity budget– I still have a massive love for film photography, dark
chocolate and the occasional movie – these are personal expenses that no
longer can cover on my own with all of my personal money going into my work
here, so if you want to contribute to my sanity, I and those around me would
be grateful!


Thanks for all the love and support over the past year, it is felt in my
deepest being and brings me such peace and strength.

Much love,
Courtney Anne