Decades ago, bombshells ripped through Cambodia, scarring the land and its people. Young Heang was a little toddler when his family moved to a refugee camp for safety from the shelling. He survived and, ironically, as a young man today, he works with those very shells, turning them into jewellery. He was trained by a fair trade company so he receives both the skill set and an income. The symbols he makes are very moving. Cold, unforgiving bullet casings are reborn as peace signs, doves, butterflies and the resilient Tree of Life. Each piece, a testament to peace and equality, empowers him to support his family, pursue an education, and forge a brighter future.

“Everything broke in my head, soul and body. You are alive but you don’t feel alive.”  A Ukrainian military leader spoke movingly of those suffering from the war: depression, anxiety, PTSD, and the challenges for some in adapting to lost limbs.  “For these guys it’s a long process. They need to find a reason to carry on
living.”

Life remains precarious with ongoing attacks and limited access to medical care.  The UN’s Refugee Agency (the UNHCR) says that 3 million internally displaced Ukrainians are seeking shelter anywhere. They are crowding into barns, classrooms, basements and any available shelter they can find.

Since the war, we have been working in three ways in Ukraine. We set up a fund for financial donations to support charities there. We have used our online matching service, www.globalhand.org to see appropriate goods sent into the country. In addition, we shipped directly from our headquarters in Hong Kong by sending 18 x 40’ containers. We have seen regular help go to this tragic location, trying to help those whose lives have been robbed by this cruel, relentless war.

Amongst those who have had to flee the conflict in Ukraine, many had almost no chance to pack a suitcase, some taking, literally, just the clothes on their backs. So, when an internationally known apparel company in Hungary offered brand-new sports shoes and clothing, they were eagerly received. One Ukrainian family, who escaped to Hungary, explained that they had fled to give their daughter safety. Their new life is simple, but they can afford sport as a way of enjoying one another as a family.  “These shoes are an amazing gift,” they said, astonished. Another recipient said, “Thank you so much for these shoes and clothes. My house still stands, but everything I had acquired in my life has gone.”

The furious downpour was the longest recorded in Hong Kong’s history, leading to severe flooding and massive damage.  Affected families were crammed into shelters, trying to escape the dangerous waters and debris.  Termed a “once-in-a-century” storm, this event was in Hong Kong’s most severe “black” rainstorm category.

Hong Kong’s exemplary weather preparedness was key in preventing a higher casualty rate.  Even so, sadly, it cost four lives and injured several more.  As the community rallied, it was heartening to stand with them and do our part towards the collective restoration of normalcy.

Living beside an active volcano is not for the faint of heart. It’s true that there are many advantages, if little known. Geothermal power. Mining opportunities. Abundantly rich soil that can yield quality crops. The tourist trade, attracted by the beauty of volcanoes, that brings income.

For people living near Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines, these streams of income have helped them in their struggle to survive. The big shadow, the constant overbearing risk, is the volcano itself. Yet, three times now, the volcano has forced the population to flee and start over. So the people have set clear goals for the next generation. Their wish, above all else, is for their children to have a different future. Education, they believe, holds the key to breaking free from this cycle of uncertainty and danger.

We have partnered with a local non-profit to send several containers of much-needed aid to help achieve that goal. It brought not just essential supplies like meals, clothes, and solar lamps, but a chance for future generations to thrive through education. Our team did follow up visits to witness this work firsthand, traveling to the Philippines on two separate occasions to visit these villages. We believe that by supporting this work, we can help ignite a ripple effect that transcends generations.

Liberia is not very well known in terms of its needs. Recent decades have seen warring factions, unchecked violence and no obvious leadership. Tragically, women are especially vulnerable with 60% experiencing physical abuse. High levels of unemployment push many young people towards crime. A still fragile economy offers little hope, leaving many feeling trapped and at a point of despair.
Is there a way out? Our partners in Liberia are committed to changing the narrative. Specifically, they recognise the transformative power of education and mentorship. We therefore sent a shipment there, our third so far, with computers and furniture for a vocational training centre, supplies for a street library, furniture for student housing, and new clothing. The improved facilities even helped the organization secure UN funding for new youth initiatives. Their work is a powerful testament to the impact of investing in a community’s potential.

Hong Kong is famous for its scorching summers, where the air is thick with humidity, sometimes as high as 95%. For a street sweeper, well past retirement age, there may be no choice. He does this work not because he wants to, but because he must with his family dependent on him. This is the reality for many elderly street cleaners in Hong Kong, where summers grow longer and hotter.

Crossroads recently partnered with the Centre for Community Care to distribute heat relief items to over 100 cleaners. “It’s so heartbreaking to see   them work so hard in the heat. I’ve gained a deep respect for them”, said one of our interns, in sorrow, this year.

It’s a privilege to do anything we can to help alleviate any measure of the hardship carried by those whose economic needs are too heavy a burden for them.

In the Mekong region in Vietnam, many families face a heartbreaking choice. Food or school? Because schooling can consume a quarter of a family’s  income, forcing countless children to forgo their future to survive the present. But a recent donation through Crossroads’ Global Hand website is helping to weave a different story: one which will create additional income to parents in need.

One of our Vietnamese partners was given a huge donation from a sustainable
clothing company. They received tens of thousands of surplus materials pieces.
There were fabric scraps, leather, zippers and buttons. As a Vietnamese social
enterprise group, they employ over 100 underprivileged women to create exquisite quilts and bags, each stitch a reflection of their resilience.

The income generated allows sustainable employment for these women, while
allowing them to work from home. Furthermore, any additional income
generated goes to the wider community, helping support the cost of education for hundreds of children. In this community, it will mean they no longer have to choose between school and food. Discarded resources have become tools of
empowerment, breaking the cycle of poverty one colourful quilt at a time.

Looking at a world in so much need, today, we may think things can’t get any worse. Not so, though. There are yet parts of the world in deep pain which almost never show up in the press. The result is that little, if any, help goes their way.  Transnistria is one. It has been described as, the poorest part of the poorest country of Europe. For those who remember the early ‘90s, when many countries left the former USSR, this part of Moldova was reluctant. It declared itself its own country: a post-Soviet ‘frozen conflict zone’. It has its own constitution, currency, passports.

It also has Soviet styled branding and statues. It is recognised by very few other countries, though.

Amid this swirl of political, historical and economic forces, what life is like for Transnistria’s children? Because the economy is so weak, parents often leave for other countries or seek refuge in alcohol or drugs. The children left behind may end up on the streets, in institutions or in foster care. All are easy prey for exploitation and other abuse. Corruption is rife here, and human trafficking and arms trafficking thrive. People from outside are discouraged even from visiting because it is not considered safe. For twenty years, our partner there has dedicated his life to caring for young people. His organisation provides not just material support but a lifeline of hope. He offers housing, foster care, training, jobs and counselling, empowering young people to build stable homes.

Recently, some of our team went to visit them, and were encouraged to see, firsthand, the huge impact of their work. We have often shipped to this region, but there is a long way to go. All help is welcomed!

Rosa, pictured here, embodies the impact of this work. Born with a congenital mobility challenge, she has been living in a dilapidated barn: a single room housing her family, without running water or gas. They had to shower outside, even in winter’s snow. Her situation is a stark reflection of the challenges faced by many in this region, yet her spirit remains unbroken. We are delighted that we could participate in finding a solution. With support from our partner’s organisation and internationally, she has now managed to purchase a better apartment with running water and gas. Small wins, but each a reason to keep trying.