1. Emergency Relief
Clothing Drive Initiative
Overconsumption and excessive waste is one of the most pressing problems in today’s society.
Everyday, Hong Kong sends an average of 392 tonnes of textile waste into landfills. 95% of which are still usable. This wasteful practice not only leads to resource depletion but exacerbates the ongoing climate crisis. It can take over 200 years for the materials of textiles to decompose in a landfill, generating greenhouse methane gas and leaching toxic chemicals during this process.
At the same time, over 300,000 foreign domestic workers ave to shoulder the responsibility of supporting their families back home on top of basic daily necessities. Many of these helpers have only lived in countries that do not typically experience colder seasons, which means that when they arrive in Hong Kong, they must purchase an entire winter wardrobe to adapt to the local climate.
Recognising these challenges, Hearts To Helpers is dedicated to giving back to the helper community and providing a stream of free and accessible clothing for all seasons, especially during times of natural disasters in local communities. By doing so, we aim to alleviate the financial burden faced by domestic workers and foster a community that is built on support and social responsibility.
how we help: a two step process
1. Collaboration
We collaborate with businesses and organisations thorughout Hong Kong, providing portable boxes to collect second hand clothing.
Our volunteers help manage and handle the logistics of storing, inspecting and packing all clothes.
Find the list of clothes we collect here.
2. Distribution
We host distribution events in which we hand out the collected clothes to all helpers who attend. With the support of volunteers and partnered organisations, we are able to distribute the donations carefully and systematically.
During these events, we not only hand out clothes but conduct interviews, conduct surveys, and plan other fun activities for helpers who attend.
We publicise all distribution dates on our website and social medias. These locations span all over Hong Kong, ranging from Sai Kung to Central.
Get updated on our up and coming events on our instagram or facebook.
Our Progress
>10,000 ITEMS
OF CLOTHING COLLECTED
5 CLOTHING STATIONS
ACROSS HONG KONG
100+
HELPERS SERVED
Where our boxes have been situated:
2. Education
BEAM Workshops
Our BEAM Initiative (Business and Economic Advancement for Migrants) aims to empower migrant domestic workers with the financial knowledge to build a secure future. We provide free, practical workshops in a supportive community space, covering everything from managing debt and sending money home safely to understanding banking and planning for retirement. Our objective is to turn financial stress into financial strength.
We offer free, accessible workshops designed to provide lasting financial skills. Our curriculum includes:
Digital Literacy: Using online banking, mobile apps, and AI tools safely.
Debt Management & Borrowing Wisely: Navigating loans and avoiding predatory lenders.
Safe Remittance & Banking: How to send money home securely and use bank services effectively.
Financial Planning & Resilience: Building savings, planning for retirement, and protecting against scams.
3. Empowerment
Interviews
We host an interview series titled ‘Helpers Voices’ documenting the stories of migrant domestic workers. These interviews are posted in our instagram. Since the start of our series, we’ve interviewed 50+ helpers and posted those who give consent to being publicised on our social media.
‘Lives beyond Labor’ Exhibition
About the Exhibition
“Lives Beyond Labor” is a collaborative multimedia exhibition that hands the lens to Hong Kong’s migrant domestic workers, supported by Caritas AMP and Lingnan University. After a series of dedicated photography and storytelling workshops, these artists present an intimate look at their dual realities: the demanding nature of their labor and the vibrant, complex lives they lead beyond it. This is a journey into their identities, their communities, and their dreams.
The Journey: Pre-Exhibition Workshops
In November, three cohorts of domestic workers participated in intensive workshops led by volunteer professionals, learning:
- Photography Basics
- Editing & Color Grading
- Storytelling & Writing
Their powerful work forms the heart of this exhibition.
The exhibition is organized into four thematic rooms:
- Labor: A visual journey of daily routines and workspaces, accompanied by reflective quotes on their experiences.
- Life: A vibrant celebration of days off, hidden talents, art, and studies—a testament to their independence and individuality.
- Culture: A colorful homage to home, featuring cultural customs, food, and writings about family and upbringing.
- Togetherness: A moving display of the bonds that sustain them, from friendships to employer relationships, featuring an interactive letter-writing station.
Interactive Workshops & Events (Nov 22-23)
During the exhibition we held immersive workshops led by migrant domestic workers:
- Cooking Classes: Learn to create traditional snacks.
- Arts & Crafts: Fold an origami “photobox” to take home.
- Human Library: Engage in intimate, circle discussions with helpers to share stories and takeaways.
Exhibition Details
- Dates: November 20 – 23, 2024
- Venue: Taste Library @ PMQ
- Admission: Free and open to the public