The Ho-sum Organization (www.ho-sum.org; tel. 2549 2010) is a nonprofit, independent organization which acts as an online matchmaker between would-be volunteers and charities requiring help. It’s free for charities to post projects and for volunteers to register. Although the organization only really got off the ground in 2003, since then the organization has participated in campaigns to collect teddy bears for underpriveleged children, raise awareness of volunteerism and provide support for the elderly and disabled.

Manager Clare Chan has seen a shift in attitudes to voluntary work: For some, it’s the opportunity to give back to the community, whilst others get involved to make friends or to boost their self-esteem. Volunteers can log work hours and earn Volunteer Recognition Certificates. Motivation isn’t important, according to Chan:Recently, ‘virtual volunteering’ has begun to take off. Volunteers can choose to work online or by phone, offering PR and marketing advice, translation services and website design. Contact Ho-Sum or any of the other charities listed below if you are interested in volunteering.

Animal Welfare

• The SPCA (www.spca.org.hk; tel. 2802 0501) is head quartered at 5 Wan Shing Street, Wanchai and has centres around Kowloon, the New Territories and the Outlying Islands. Volunteers aged 16 and over are welcome to register for a range of work, including dog-walking, clerical support, assisting vets and kennel keepers, and socializing the animals.
• The Hong Kong Alley Cat Watch Society (www.hkalleycats.com) is always interested in permanent and temporary homes for rescued cats.

Conservation

• The World Wide Fund for Nature Hong Kong (www.wwf.org.hk; tel.2523 2316) focuses on conservation and environmental education. They need volunteers for a range of activities, including film-making, web design, copywriting and office work.
• Friends of the Earth (www.foe.org.hk; tel. 2528 5588; e-mail foehk@ foe.org.hk) offers opportunities for English speakers to help with editorial work and promotional material for campaigns, tree-planting every spring, and the solar cart race which is in November.
• Greenpeace (www.greenpeace.org.hk) seeks volunteers to help with campaigns, fundraising, outreach activities and publications.

Some of the many local projects include ‘Save Our Harbour’ and ‘Clear The Air’ campaigns – visit www.citizensparty.org for details.

Counselling And Support

• The Samaritans (www.samaritans.org.hk/volunteer.htm; tel. 2896 0000) recruits English-speaking volunteers to man their English hotline. Volunteers are given a training course.
• Prisoner’s Friends Association (www.pfa.org.hk; tel. 2601 0129; e-mail info@pfa.org.hk) recruits penfriends or prison visitors for inmates who have requested a visitor. Prisoners’ friends are matched to prisoners with whom they speak a common language. Meetings and training sessions are held periodically.

International Humanitarian

• Oxfam (17/F, China United Center, 28 Marble Road, North Point; tel. 3120 5284; e-mail volunteer@oxfam.org.hk) runs a number of fund-raising, education and advocacy activities throughout the year. Volunteers are needed for office administration, translation, typing and web design.
• Médecins Sans Frontières (www.msf.org.hk; tel. 2338 8277) recruit field and office volunteers and fundraisers.
• Crossroads International (2 Castle Peak Road, Tuen Mun, NT; tel. 2984 9309; e-mail volunteer@crossroads.org.hk) is an organization which redistributes quality used goods to people around the world. They need volunteers to help with fundraising, Internet research, data entry, handyman tasks, sorting and packing of clothing and household goods, furniture repair and container loading.

Local Issues

• AIDS Concern (www.aidsconcern.org.hk; tel. 2898 4411; e-mail aidscon@netvigator.com) recruits volunteers to work in one of five areas – Office Team, Event Team, Cross Border Travellers Team, Ride Concern Transport Team and Helpline Group.
• Mother’s Choice (42B Kennedy Road, Mid Levels; www.motherschoice.com; tel. 2524 4310) welcomes regular part-time or full-time volunteers to care for babies and children and to teach English, arts and crafts, drama, computer skills and pre- and post-natal workshops. Part-timers should be willing to commit to a minimum of three hours per week at the same time each week.
• China Coast Community (www.chinacoastcommunity.org.hk; tel. 2337 7266) volunteers assist with leisure activities for elderly English-speaking residents, offer classes and lead outings.
• The American Women’s Association of Hong Kong (www.awa.org.hk; tel. 2527 2961/2) has strong links with several local charities and organizations, including Riding for the Disabled, Helpers for Domestic Helpers and the Hong Kong Society for the Blind.
• The English Speaking Members Department of the YWCA (3/F, 1 Mac-Donnell Road, Mid-Levels; www.esmdywca.org.hk; tel. 3476 1340; e-mail esmd@ywca.org.hk) seeks volunteers to help in the office for half a day on a weekly basis and periodically with mailings, bazaars and bake sales.

Youth

• Volunteers are needed to help with Brownies and Guides meetings (contact Rita McClellan on 9021 2397; e-mail mclellan@hknet.com). Most ‘open unit’ meetings take place after school. A training course is provided and a commitment of about three hours per week is required. Volunteers for Beavers, Cubs and Scouts can contact www.scout.org.hk/eng/.
• Friends Unlimited (www.friends.org.hk; tel. 8200 9910; e-mail info@ friends.org.hk) aims to cultivate the community leaders of the future. Volunteer members can help with special projects such as the Children In Need programme, English tutorials and the Business Mentoring programme, which pairs local university students with a business professional who serves as a mentor.
• English-speaking volunteers are also needed to lead social activities, games and so on by organizations including the Hong Kong Society for the Protection of Children (www.hkspc.org).