Gwen is the volunteer I worked with in the cafe at Crossroads during month four. I developed a great relationship with her and she taught me so much! I had her write up a newsletter and this is what she sent me! I wanted you all to know who Gwen is, what she is up to, and how you can help her. This also gives a great description of Crossroads and this organization is amazing! So keep reading and see how you can help Gwen and Crossroads…
I am Gwendoline Mude from Cameroon; I am a volunteer with Crossroads Organization Hong Kong.
Crossroads Foundation is a Hong Kong based, non-profit organization serving global need. We believe that, in a broken world that sees too much suffering; we should do all we can to link those who are in need with those who can provide help. So we provide an intersection, literally a crossroads, to bring both together. We offer four global crossroads services:
• Global Distribution: This distributes Hong Kong's quality excess goods as needed, internationally and locally. It provides a crossroads between need and supply.
• Global Village: This offers simulated x-periences of global need. It provides a crossroads between the lifestyles of the rich and poor.
• Global Handicrafts: This sells fair trade goods from people in poverty. It is a crossroads between those needing a fair income and those with buying power.
• Global Hand: This provides a 'matching' website for public- private partnerships. It is a crossroads between for-profit and non-profit organizations who wish to address global need.
I have always loved to serve the people in need all my life. I work in the café, the café is part of the Global Handicrafts, and we promote Fair Trade. In the café we sell pastries and mugs from Ibakery. Ibakery is a social Enterprise, ie a group of social and educational misfit adult. The café sells their product to help them improve and earn a living. I have learned to make coffee and now I am a perfect Barista, it’s really fun working in the coffee shop. I meet a lot of people from different countries, learning about different cultures, traditions and foods from different countries.
I enjoyed working in Crossroads and the café, there I am learning about Hong Kong and their culture from the different local volunteers that help in the café. Hong Kong have good infrastructures, I admire the welcoming nature of the people, the clean and organized natured of the place and best of all the security and friendly and happy life we live in the Crossroads village as a family.
Hong Kong is very different from where I come from, ex. the food, language, their culture and some of the holidays they like the Moon festival, Dragon Festival just to name a few. There are some things that are really new to me and I really love them. I enjoy the MTR trains, the shopping malls, the beaches and the way they decorate the town during Christmas period.
As a volunteer, I am seeking ways to raise funds to help cover my living cost in Crossroads. The rate is 1140 HKD per week to help cover my rent, utilities and food. I am also looking for provision to cover my personal costs such as travel to town on Sundays.
I would appreciate your thoughts for me as I trust that provision will come. Should you be interested in supporting me financially, please let me know or contact crossroads directly at [email protected]
Besides financial support, I will appreciate people who can be an encouragement to me through thinking of me, sending me an email to let me know I am remembered or thought of. My personal email is [email protected]
Over my time here, I hope to be able to share stories of how the poor have been helped, the things I have learned and seen and the provision I am trusting to come.
Attach to this letter are some pictures of me and some short term volunteers in the coffee shop. We have people from all over the world volunteering with crossroads.
