Poverty is a prominent and severe issue that occurs worldwide. three billion individuals live in poverty, and among them, 1.3 billion experience extreme poverty. According to a recent report from the Hong Kong Poverty Situation Report, 1.65 million Hong Kong residents were projected to be living below the poverty line. 

Between October 31st and November 4th, the annual Box of Hope donation drive was held at RCHK Items including soap, toothpaste, and toothbrushes were collected outside the school's reception, along with stationery and other consumables. All donated goods were sent to the Box Of Hope organization, which distributes donations.

Box Of Hope is an annual charitable initiative that aims to give sanitary, comfortable, and educational gifts to underprivileged children in Hong Kong and Asia. The collaboration between Renaissance College and Box of Hope, which started in 2016, has evolved into an annual donation box drive that raises awareness of Hong Kong poverty.

Audrey Chan, Box Of Hope’s Head of Events Planning, was shocked by the number of items donated. “From previous years of this project, only one packaging box was placed near the school gates, which heavily affected our initial aim of around 2-3 boxes,” she continued. “We ended up surpassing that goal and packaged nine boxes. It was incredible that it achieved such a successful outcome.”

Year 12 student Flossi Chen mentioned that she had felt especially driven to contribute as Box Of Hope's Head of Communications. “I have witnessed poverty affect many and it developed a deep, emotional connection in me to those suffering. I am pleased to help the world progress towards a place of equality.” Chen said.

Providing educational content through social media, Box Of Hope’s Head of Marketing and Design Valerie So brought up how the donation drive contributes significantly to the project. “The Box of Hope project has had a known impact on impoverished children from their past years of box distribution. Ever since 2008, 272,300 boxes have been given to and received by numerous children. In 2021 alone, 33,670 were distributed. We will have an outreach to hundreds of children throughout Asia,” So explained.

On the behalf of Box Of Hope, Chan said, “The team and I had insufficient time to execute promotions while ensuring our schedule was aligned with the official organization. The process near the mid-end of our project was most rigorous as the support team was often unavailable and we had to keep Emb@RC in consideration.”

“We are truly grateful and thankful for every contribution,” the Box Of Hope Leaders commented. “It is heart-warming to see many assist children to break the cycle of poverty and help stimulate a more equal, just local community.”

With the one-time in-school donation drive wrapping up, it is hoped for the collaboration to proceed and inspire more to support underprivileged adolescents.