This programme aims to raise the awareness of the situation and needs of refugees & nonrefoulement claimants (asylum seekers) and survivors of human trafficking in HK.

Branches of Hope (BoH) will provide training workshops and volunteer opportunities to HKU students through the Refugee Opportunity And Development (ROAD) programme and Stop Trafficking Of People (STOP) programme at BoH. After the workshops, participating students will organise a publicity campaign within the HKU campus, advocating for greater understanding of the most marginalised groups of people in HK.

CEDARS-GE, The University of Hong Kong (hku.hk)

OBJECTIVES:

TIMETABLE:

APPLICATION:

Registration Here: Service-Learning Ambassador Programme: Branches of Hope | CEDARS (hku.hk)

Application Deadline: 21/09/2024

Home and Away Football Tournament 2024 | Home and Away 足球錦標賽 2024

Date: 11 October 2024 | 10月11號

Time: 8:30am – 5:30pm | 上午8點半至下午5點半

Venue: King’s Park Sports Ground, Ho Man Tin | 何文田京士柏運動場

Since its inception in 2012, Branches of Hope has organised an annual charity football tournament to bring together our community and raise awareness and support for the organisation’s work assisting refugees, asylum seekers, and survivors of human trafficking.

由非牟利機構「希望枝子」舉辦的「Home & Away慈善足球錦標賽」將於今年10月11日（重陽節）載譽回歸，希望以足球比賽連繫香港市民和居港的邊緣與弱勢群體。透過公平競賽，無分國界，一起享受足球樂趣，從而提升社會對難民、免遣返聲請人和人口販運倖存者的關注。

“Home & Away” is a football term that refers to whether a team is playing at ‘home’ in their own venue, or away in someone else’s. With this event, we share a message that while the community we support are away from home and separated from their families, our city is one that cares. This event will provide a safe place for the marginalised and vulnerable to enjoy football with the diverse and inspiring individuals that call Hong Kong home and, as a result, form genuine friendships. Through this event, we aim to facilitate social integration across the city where all can feel cared for and experience a “Home away from Home”.

「主 / 客場」是指在足球比賽中球隊在自己的「主場」或對手在「客場」作賽的術語。我們希望，即使居港的邊緣與弱勢群體因種種原因而被逼離開家園，來到香港這個充滿關愛的城市後，透過平等及公平的比賽讓以香港為家的不同群體建立友誼，促進社會共融，讓所有人都能感受到「家外之家」的感覺。

This friendly 7-a-side tournament will pit 20-30 teams all vying to be crowned the ‘Home & Away’ champion! Whether you’re a corporate hotshot or a casual player, we want YOU on our teams! So, gather your colleagues, friends, and neighbours, and get involved! Please click the link below to sign up before 31 August 2024.

活動將有企業隊伍、公眾隊伍以及由難民、免遣返聲請人所組成的社區隊伍，報名期由即日起至2024年8月31日結束。組成12人為一隊的企業隊伍或公眾隊伍即可透過以下連結參賽：

TEAM SIGN UP:

Public Team Sign up Form | 公眾隊伍報名連結

Corporate Team Sign up Form | 企業隊伍報名連結

LEARN MORE ABOUT SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES:

Corporate Sponsorship pack

Individual Sponsorship pack

SPSONOR COMMUNITY TEAM:

Sponsor Our Team | 為希望枝子隊伍捐款

SIGN UP AS VOLUNTEERS:

Volunteer Sign Up form | 義工報名連結

Volunteer roles description: https://branchesofhope.org.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/HA-2024-Volunteer-roles.pdf

IMPORTANT NOTES TO PARTICIPANTS 

  1.  All footballers must be aged 16 years old or above. 
  2. Players should be aware of their own physical fitness. For the sake of safety, persons with health problems such as asthma, heart and lung diseases, plantar fasciitis should seek medical advice before entering for the tournament.  
  3. Players taking part in this event are acting solely on his / her own discretion and at his / her own risk. The organizers accept no responsibility, nor liability, for accidents of any kind, resulting in death or injury, nor for any damage or loss of personal property during the event. 
  4. All registration fees and other donations are not refundable. 
  5. The Organiser (“Branches of Hope”) reserves the right to restrict or reject any application.

參賽者注意事項：

  1. 所有參賽者需滿16歲以上
  2. 參賽者需確保其身體狀況良好才參賽。為了安全起見，建議患有哮喘、心肺疾病、跟腱炎等健康問題的參賽者在比賽前先徵詢醫生建議
  3. 參賽者需自行承擔風險，主辦方無須為任何損傷、意外或任何其他經濟損失索償負上法律責任
  4. 所有報名費用或捐款均不可退還
  5. 如有任何爭議，主辦方將保留最終決定權

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

  1. Cup Champion
  2. Cup Runner-up
  3. Highest Fund Raising Team

報名費及捐款：

公眾隊伍：港幣7,000元 / 隊

企業隊伍：最少港幣25,000元 / 隊

足球錦標賽分別設有賽事及籌款獎項，包括冠軍、亞軍以及最高隊伍籌款獎等。希望枝子將提供豁免繳税收據，歡迎公眾於GIVE.Asia的活動頁面捐贈以支持希望枝子對難民、免遣返聲請人和人口販運倖存者社群的支援項目及社區工作。

捐贈連結：https://give.asia/campaign/event-branches-of-hope-footy2024#/story

METHODS TO FUNDRAISE:

Method 1: Donation Form

  1. Fill out the Donation Form (DOWNLOAD THE DONATION FORM)
  2. Collect donation from donors
  3. Payment methods:
  • Cheque – Payable to “BRANCHES OF HOPE LTD”. Please mail cheque together with this registration form to “Branches of Hope, 29 Burrows Street, Wan Chai, Hong Kong” 
  • Bank Transfer – Branches of Hope Ltd’s HSBC account (499-814499-838). Enclose the bank slips with this form, email to info@branchesofhope.org.hk. 
  • Online Payment – Please make payment online at https://branchesofhope.org.hk/donations. Please email info@branchesofhope.org.hk your payment confirmation email together with this form.

All proceeds (minus administrative cost) help raise fund for our work and service towards the most marginalised and vulnerable community in Hong Kong.

Method 2: Set-up fundraising account on Give.asia

  1. Go to the event main page at https://give.asia/campaign/event-branches-of-hope-footy2024#/story
  2. Click “FUNDRAISE FOR EVENT“
  3. Register with your Facebook/Google/email account
  4. Name your campaign name with your team’s name, e.g. Home & Away 2024 – Team A
  5. Set your fundraising target and upload a picture related to the campaign
  6. Write a short introduction about the fundraising activity
  7. Create a short campaign URL, then click “PUBLISH YOUR CAMPAIGN”
  8. Complete set-up and share campaign link with family and friends

Fundraising Guideline – Set up Your Own Fundraising Page for Branches of Hope

Please make payment or raised on your fundraising page at least HKD 7,000 (Public Team) / HKD 25,000 (Corporate Team) by 14 September 2024 (Sat) to complete the team enrollment process.

Our prize for highest fundraising team and individual will be presented on the event day. If you want to win a prize, please make sure all related donations be received by Branches of Hope on or before 10 October 2024, donation through online platform and actual donation will both be counted.

All teams are encouraged to continue fundraising through the fundraising campaign until 30 November 2024. One of our corporate partners will be matching all funds raised through this initiative so every dollar you raise will be matched by another dollar, doubling the funds raised through your campaign!

All funds raised will be matched by a generous corporate partner, so every dollar given will have double the impact! All proceeds from the tournament will be allocated towards Branches of Hope care programmes supporting our community members in Hong Kong. These programmes include:

  • Child Education support
  • Casework and Counselling
  • Medical and Housing support
  • Durable Solutions: resettlement and voluntary repatriation
  • Adult Education classes

活動收益扣除成本後將會用於希望枝子的項目及社區工作，項目包括：

  • 學生資助計劃
  • 個案工作
  • 醫療和住房支援
  • 移居第三國和自願返回原居國支援
  • 成人教育課程

GAME RULES

  1. The normal rules of football will apply except that there will be no offside. 
  2. Shin-pads must be worn at all times. 
  3. Maximum number of players on the field will be 6 + 1 Goalkeeper. The minimum number of players is 5. 
  4. Each team must be ready to play at the appointed time. 
  5. There is no limit on substitutions.  It is not necessary to request the referee’s permission before making substitutions.  Substitutes must enter the game from the half-way line and may not do so until the substituted player has left the field.  Substituted players may return to play. 
  6. Any player receiving a red card will be suspended for a minimum of one game.  Any player receiving 2 yellow cards during the tournament will be suspended for the next match 
  7. Points system for all games: Win = 3 points, Draw = 1 points, Lose = 0 point. 
  8. All teams in the Group Stage will proceed to the Knock-out Stage.  Schedule of play in Knock-out Stage will depend on the Group Stage ranking by points.  In the event of a tie in points, it will be decided by goal average.  In the event of a tie in goal average, it will be decided by the goal average between the tied teams. 
  9. In the event of a tie at Knock-out stage and Finals Stage, the match will proceed straight to sudden-death penalties. *Group Stage: 12 minutes one way (no half-time).
    *Knock-out Stage: 10 minutes each way with no half-time.
    *Finals Stage: 10 minutes each way with 2 minutes half-time. 

*Note: format subject to change according to total number of teams

ARRANGEMENT OF INCLEMENT WEATHER

If thunderstorm signal, any rainstorm warning or the No. 3 (or above) tropical cyclone warning signal is in effect at or after 6:00am on the event day, or at any point during the event, the event will be cancelled and will not be re-arranged. Any further updates will be announced on the Team Captains’ Whatsapp group and Branches of Hope official Facebook page (@BranchesofHopeHK) and Instagram (@branchesofhopehk).

We’re the non-STOP ROAD Stars!

Branches of Hope was selected as a charity partner for the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon Charity Programme 2024. We had a dedicated team of 30 charity runners who participated in the 10KM, half marathon, and full marathon races in the SCHKM 2024 (21st Jan 2024). 

We are incredibly grateful for the overwhelming response from our community, as the team successfully raised a total of HK$260,661+ through 25 fundraising campaigns, with contributions from over 300 generous individuals. We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone involved!

Don’t STOP, let’s run this ROAD together!

Learn more about the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon Charity Programme 2024:

Marathon Charity Programme – Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon (hkmarathon.com)

We all understand the value of global corporate citizenship, especially living in Asia’s World City. Companies who give back are trusted and valued because they model healthy citizenship to a world desperate for goodwill and social impact.

Scan Here to read our Corporate Engagement Pack (English version) or Chinese version.

To become a partner, please send a message to our partnership team via email info@branchesofhope.org.hk with the subject line ‘Branches of Hope Partner’ and we will get back to you within 3 working days.

 

“Home & Away” is a football term that refers to whether a team is playing at ‘home’ in their own venue, or away in someone else’s.

We hope this Tournament will raise awareness and funds for refugees, asylum-seekers and human-trafficking survivors living in Hong Kong. We bring across a message that they are away from home and separated from their families, but also instills hope that our city is one that cares.

We also hope this event will provide a place for the marginalised and vulnerable to enjoy football with different corporations in Hong Kong, and as a result genuine friendships will be formed. Moreover, to facilitate social integration across the city where they feel being cared for and experienced “Home away from Home”,
and everyone foster the spirit of “Home together”.

 
 
 

IMPORTANT NOTES TO PARTICIPANTS 

  1.  All footballers must be aged 16 years old or above. 

  2. Players should be aware of their own physical fitness. For the sake of safety, persons with health problems such as asthma, heart and lung diseases, plantar fasciitis should seek medical advice before entering for the tournament.  

  3. Players taking part in this event are acting solely on his / her own discretion and at his / her own risk. The organizers accept no responsibility, nor liability, for accidents of any kind, resulting in death or injury, nor for any damage or loss of personal property during the event. 

  4. To comply with the Hong Kong Government’s latest anti-pandemic guidelines, we will put in place a series of strict precautionary measures to safeguard the health and safety of our participants.  

  5. All registration fees and other donations are not refundable. 

  6. The Organiser (“Branches of Hope”) reserves the right to restrict or reject any application.

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

  1. Cup Champion

  2. Cup Runner-up

  3. Highest Fund Raising Team

  4. Highest Fund Raising Individual

GOODIE BAG

Each participant will receive a goodie bag with the following items:

  • BOH travel bag

  • BOH quick-dry towel

  • Decodeco cooling patch

  • G&D Mint & Ginger Herbal Oil + coupon

  • BE-KIND nuts bar

  • Aquarius sports drink

  • Physiotherapy voucher (free first session) at MY Medicare

  • Drink voucher (free house wine upon dining) at Orka Central

PRIZES

PAYMENT METHODS

  1. Cheque – Payable to “BRANCHES OF HOPE LTD”. Please mail cheque together with this registration form to “Branches of Hope, 29 Burrows Street, Wan Chai, Hong Kong” 

  2. Bank Transfer – Branches of Hope Ltd’s HSBC account (499-814499-838).  
    Enclose the bank slips with this form, email to info@branchesofhope.org.hk. 

  3. Online Payment – Please make payment online at https://branchesofhope.org.hk/donations. 
    Please email info@branchesofhope.org.hk your payment confirmation email together with this form.

All proceeds (minus administrative cost) help raise fund for our work and service towards the most marginalised and vulnerable community in Hong Kong.

The event also aims to raise funds to support the needs of our community members. You can support us by fundraising for the event through our crowdfunding page , or create your own crowd funding page or fill in the donation form (instructions in the donation form).

GAME RULES

  1. The normal rules of football will apply except that there will be no offside. 

  2. Shin-pads must be worn at all times. 

  3. Maximum number of players on the field will be 6 + 1 Goalkeeper. The minimum number of players is 5. 

  4. Each team must be ready to play at the appointed time. 

  5. There is no limit on substitutions.  It is not necessary to request the referee’s permission before making substitutions.  Substitutes must enter the game from the half-way line and may not do so until the substituted player has left the field.  Substituted players may return to play. 

  6. Any player receiving a red card will be suspended for a minimum of one game.  Any player receiving 2 yellow cards during the tournament will be suspended for the next match 

  7. Points system for all games: Win = 3 points, Draw = 1 points, Lose = 0 point. 

  8. All teams in the Group Stage will proceed to the Knock-out Stage.  Schedule of play in Knock-out Stage will depend on the Group Stage ranking by points.  In the event of a tie in points, it will be decided by goal average.  In the event of a tie in goal average, it will be decided by the goal average between the tied teams. 

  9. In the event of a tie at Knock-out stage and Finals Stage, the match will proceed straight to sudden-death penalties.

    *Group Stage: 12 minutes one way (no half-time).
    *Knock-out Stage: 10 minutes each way with no half-time.
    *Finals Stage: 10 minutes each way with 2 minutes half-time. 

*Note: format subject to change according to total number of teams 

Heartfelt thanks to our sponsors.


We are so excited to announce the launch of the upcoming Branches of Hope Awareness Month! This is going to be a month-long celebration of World Refugee Day (20 June) and World Day Against Trafficking in Persons (July 30), aiming to raise awareness on the issues that we take to heart. All refugees, asylum seekers (non-refoulemant claimants), and survivors of human trafficking and labour exploitation in Hong Kong have their own stories to share; however, their voices are often suppressed and unheard in the city. Taking place on 9-22 July 2022 under the theme of “Our Voices, Our Stories,” the two-week limited time exhibition aims to showcase real stories of how the most marginalised and vulnerable group gains a sense of belonging and self-value through different encounter with people, their contributions and their dreams in the city.

OUR VOICES OUR STORIES EXHIBITION

Date: 9 to 30 July 2022

Time: noon to 11pm (Close on Sundays)

Venue: Orka Central, 36 Wyndham Street, Central

Table reservation: https://book.bistrochat.com/orka

Click image below for full stories in English and Traditional Chinese.

Photo credit: Abram Deyo (upper left, upper middle, lower middle); Vanessa Li (lower left, upper right, lower right)

SAVE THE DATES AND STAY CLOSE WITH US FOR MORE EVENT UPDATES!


As the number of COVID-19 cases continues to soar in the city, let’s not forget about the most vulnerable and marginalised in our midst. Access to cash is one of the many challenges the city’s asylum seekers face. Each adult non-refoulement claimant receives a prepaid HK$1,200 supermarket voucher per month from the government, but with prices at supermarkets become skyrocketing, it has come to our concern and top priority to providing much-needed assistance for the community along with our supporters and community partners.

On the other hand, many trafficking survivors are staying in Hong Kong with a visitor visa (for processing legal procedures) which leaves them no choice but to stay at boarding houses or emergency shelters. Crowded living space exposes them to the risk of infection. Survivors of trafficking also usually experience mental and physical trauma from the past, which causes chronic illness. If they test virus positive, their medical challenge is not just the long waiting hours at public health care, but the possible serious complication. Visit STOP’s social media for more stories.

Immediate response from our team

  • Sourced different supplies for over 600 refugees, asylum seekers and human trafficking survivors’ community.
  • In late February 2022, we have quickly teamed up with community members and volunteers to distribute food and necessity items to over 100 households across six districts in Hong Kong on a weekly basis (as of 22 March 2022).
  • Broadcasted the most updated social distancing measures and COVID-19 restrictions in different languages to the community members.
  • Organised online workshops on the topics of labour rights relating to COVID-19 and mental wellness for adults and online classes for children.




OPERATIONAL UPDATES

24-25 FEBRUARY 2022

Our first round off-site to-the-door distribution of food items, coupons, and medical supplies was done on 24 and 25 February with the help from our community members (they are our heroes!), serving around 50 households across various districts in the first batch.

11 MARCH 2022

Our second off-site to-the-door distribution was done on 11 March with the help from our community members and volunteers. 46 households across various districts were served so far. We have also rolled out distribution plans on a weekly basis for those who have only limited access to supplies, targeting to reach over 110 households by end of March.

18 MARCH 2022

Our third off-site to-the-door distribution was done on 18 March with the help from our community members and volunteers. 68 households across various districts were served on this round making 114 were served in total so far.

25 MARCH 2022

Our fourth off-site to-the-door distribution was done on 25 March with the help from our community members and volunteers. 43 households across various districts were served on this round making 140 households were served in total so far.

1 APRIL 2022

Our fifth and last off-site to-the-door distribution in phase two was done on 1 April with the help from our community members and volunteers. 111 households with 346 individuals across various districts were served on this round.


VOICES FROM THE COMMUNITY


Happy to see everyone working hard on this.

Volunteer E


Thank you to all Branches of Hope team. We appreciate your effort to help us.

Community member R


Thank you so much it made my day so grateful. When I received the food packed that you given for us and also for the coupon. only I can say more is God bless you and your intire (entire) family.

Community member P


It’s very difficult for us during this pandemic because its too much pressure fir us as a parents,, our daily life like affect us mentally, emotionally and also financially, our food card like useless because we have nothing to buy now at park n shop and we cant used that card to other store.

Community member F


Thank you so much to all of staff and organisers. God bless us.

Community member A


Who I’m today it’s because I received many support and I feel I am blessed to have that. And I wish to spread this support and care to many people who like me.

Community member H


Special Thanks to our Donors

Adventist Development and Relief Agency
Bird & Bird
Chinese International School
Crossroads International
Federation of Hong Kong Brands
Foodlink Foundation
Give2Asia
Golin

International Organization for Migration
Jean Ho Foundation
New World Development Company Limited
The Robert H.N. Ho Family Foundation Hong Kong
The Vine
The Yeh Family Philanthropy
YWAM Tuen Mun

…and all of you who supported us by donating via our crowdfunding page or providing in-kind donations.

Cards Against Trafficking is a set of educational tools aims at engaging the general public in a creative and fun manner and to provide culturally-relevant information so that public opinion in Hong Kong on human trafficking can be changed. It contains 47 cards in English and Chinese that provide both visuals and definitions to describe the wide array of terms used in the field of human trafficking. The vocabulary included in this boxset has been specifically chosen to fit within the context of this city.

If you are interested, you can purchase the cards from our office in Wan Chai. For more details please email info@branchesofhope.org.hk.