Life X-periences are activities that allow participants to walk in the shoes of those who battle global need, to breathe their air and meet their struggles.

Crossroads’ tenth anniversary came up in 2005 and we struggled to find a way to celebrate. We did not feel comfortable holding a ball in a hotel, given the desperate needs of those we serve. Instead, therefore, we invited leaders from the corporate world to spend 24 hours living in slum conditions. We gave them a pile of debris and asked them to build themselves 'homes' which they slept in that night. Next day, we put them through the pressures of economic survival in dire poverty. They ate ‘survival’ food on banana leaves, or from garbage bags. They fought the wiles of loan sharks. They met the dog eat dog struggles of the market place. We called this Global Survivor. Because they survived, the participants earned sponsorship from those who supported them. We thought this would be a one-off event. We were wrong. At the end of this 24 hour period, some of them took us aside. "Don't stop doing this", they urged. "It is so powerful an experience that you need to keep offering it to others." They weren't alone in their request. Following Global Survivor, our phones began to run hot with requests from corporations, consulates, universities and school groups asking whether they could undertake something similar. In time, we developed a menu of activities that allows participants to walk in the shoes of those that battle global need, to breathe their air, and feel some of the struggles they face, firsthand. Some come for an hour, others a day, others even a week.

We stand amazed. Ironically, during our anniversary, we had told our team, “Don’t worry, we only do ten year anniversaries every ten years...” How wrong we were! The growth in these activities has delighted and utterly surprised us. Within the first two years, over 12,000 people participated and more come every week.

Increasingly, companies involved in CSR and Sustainable Development are participating in Global Village activities. In response, companies are looking for ways to develop their policies with programmes meaningful to their industry sector, core competencies and employee interests. Global Village programmes place strong emphasis on debriefing after the Life X-periences. This stimulates corporate discussion regarding:

• connecting core competencies with global need
• brainstorming re corporate social footprint
• projects / programmes appropriate to business interests
• service opportunities within Crossroads’ Global Distribution

Local and international schools within Hong Kong are placing greater emphasis on developing a global vision among their students. In response, our Global Village team is developing a range of resources that seeks to help teachers connect their teaching on a wide range of subjects to Life X-perience at the Global Village. Our activities can be tailored to meet curriculum learning aims and outcomes associated with world need.

For NSS teachers, please click here to see Crossroads’ connectivity with the curriculum.

Some people come for an hour, a morning, a day or longer. Increasing numbers - young and old - choose to stay overnight or longer, with some staying a week.

Each simulation is given an intensity rating as a guide to participants. Some are relatively mild, others are stronger. Should you have any questions, feel free to ask us. Each activity, however, can be tailored to fit a group’s age and stage.

Any group planning a visit consults with our team to see which experiences will fit best, based on their age group, time available, interests and so on. They choose from our menu.

Global Village meals can be included to fit various Life X-periences. For example, we serve food representative of slums around the world, including meals provided in refugee camps.

• Music is a key part of our Global Village Life X-periences. We have, in house, professional musicians who, between them, sing and even write about global need. Their goal is to make more than music: they want to change a dysfunctional world. In addition to participating in our Life X-periences, they perform concerts for our guests. CDs are also available.
• Marketplace. Our Global Handicrafts marketplace provides an opportunity to buy fair trade products. These are gathered from over 51 suppliers in over 45 countries. Shoppers wander through a range of regional markets to buy these wares.
• Café. Our Silk Road Café offers hot and cold drinks and light snacks, bought on a fair trade basis to benefit growers and producers. Fun and funky, the café is proving a popular venue.

While X-periences can happen anywhere, our main base of operations is at Crossroads' Global Village. Should you have any questions about running X-periences at your venue, please feel free to contact us.

• There is no specific cost for our Global Village activities. If groups would like to make a donation, however, we simply suggest that they consider giving what they would ordinarily have spent on such an event.
• Some also choose to donate towards a specific project at Crossroads or to the work in general. They are very welcome!