Sweaty but Rewarding Volunteerism | Christopher Gibbs, Swire Trust Go-Givers of 2023
Together with Time Auction, the Swire Trust Go-Givers Program encourages skilled volunteers for Swire Trust NGO partners in education, marine conservation, and arts. From now to 2025. 10 outstanding volunteers will be selected annually as the “Swire Trust Go-Givers of the Year” with special rewards & recognition. Meet our 10 Go-Givers of 2023!
Meet Christopher
Christopher moved to Hong Kong 31 years ago as an aircraft maintenance engineer. He fell in love with Hong Kong’s intensity, excitement, and energy, and decided to make it his home.
With much more time on hand after retirement, Christopher wanted to give back to society. He volunteered at the church and helped the younger members. As a family activity, he also took his family to visit an orphanage in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
With Steadfast Determination
Christopher discovered Time Auction's volunteering matching platform online. Although he initially struggled to find suitable opportunities due to his lack of Cantonese, it didn’t stop Christopher from persistently searching for one that he’d enjoy. “Time Auction is easy to use as you can narrow the search,” Christopher said. “It’s very helpful to guide you to a certain volunteering direction.” With his determination, Christopher found Crossroads Foundation, a Hong Kong based non-profit organisation that connects people globally and distributes donated goods to those in need.
Being a Practical Volunteer
Christopher first volunteered as a books department assistant. "I quite like books, so it was an attraction, but it's the organization which is the attraction now.” He cleaned, sorted and packed the donated books for the distribution to local and international communities. Since Crossroads Foundation began to focus more on electrical equipments and bicycles, Christopher's engineering background and technical knowledge have been invaluable. He handles various tasks, including organizing donated books, handling electrical equipments, fixing bikes and loading containers.
Chris volunteering in the Bike shop, guided by an experienced volunteer (Mario)
Making Impact Work
Christopher finds volunteering at Crossroads Foundation inspiring. He’s impressed by the commitment and dedication of unpaid volunteers. Being able to see and learn more about the outcome of their hardwork has been very encouraging..
“Crossroads Foundation is very international and it is almost an industrial scale. Volunteers can clearly see the charity’s impact, like providing books to African schools and donating bikes to communities in need.”
Christopher heard stories about their positive impact on communities. For example, donating bikes to the small villages in Africa improves mobility for locals there. “It is great to see their faces when people come to collect the bikes.”
Bikes ready to go to those who really need them in Africa and elsewhere
Achieving Excellence Together with Great Sense of Achievement
Can you imagine loading heavy furniture, cases of books and clothes inside a container in the heat of the summer? That’s exactly what Christopher did. The experience of loading containers with donated items is physically demanding but rewarding. Despite the demanding and often sweaty work, Christopher finds it enjoyable especially when he witnesses the immediate impact. “Loading up a container is quite an experience. It could take all day to load a 20 or 40-foot container," he explained. “We started at 10am, and didn’t finish til 8pm.” Seeing the container filled with sorted items ready to be dispatched to Malawi or Madagascar by day’s end is both fun and satisfying. He attributes his success to teamwork.
Christopher and the team after a long but fulfilling day loading a containter for Africa. The container carries everything from clothes to washing machines, computers to books, furniture to bikes. (Chris is in black and white stripped t-shirt)
Finding Fulfilment in Volunteering
Dedicating time and effort in a non-profit organization takes a lot of courage, Christopher admires those who prioritise volunteering over their careers. “There's quite a few young people who maybe pause their degree for a year or while they're waiting to get into a college to donate their time,” Christopher added. “It’s incredibly meaningful and generous.” He met individuals from diverse backgrounds coming together to serve the community. While Christopher was one of the volunteers, he appreciates other volunteer’s commitment and the positive interactions with people who came to collect donated items.
Christopher finds fulfilment in volunteering, in addition, he has developed many valuable relationships. Such as the friendship with Paul, an electrical genius who can fix anything; staff at Crossroads Foundation who is a global citizen and can have good discussions about world issues; Mario, a patient and knowledgeable bike enthusiast; and Alan, who devotes his time in books every day.
Achieving Meaningful and Wonderful Volunteerism
Some may underestimate the impact of volunteering, but Christopher’s experience spotlights many. The organisation’s scale, mission, nature of work and sense of camaraderie are all reasons why he continues to stay with Crossroads Foundation. His volunteer work also led him to participate in events that enhance his understanding of stigmatised communities, like visually impaired. He encourages others to volunteer and use Time Auction to find suitable opportunities. “It’s wonderful to see the outcome. So that's great.”
Thank you so much to Christopher for contributing 297 volunteer hours & beyond at Crossroads Foundation!
To see details of the Swire Trust Go-Givers Program and support their NGO partners, head over to Time Auction website.
Written by Kamie Lam, Volunteer Copywriter
