One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind!

Running for refugees: Bonita Choi in Namibia | Photo: BonitaHello!

I don't know about you but I have been captivated by the media coverage of yesterday's 40th Anniversary of man's landing on the moon.  The courage and dedication of the astronauts boggles my mind.  Recently however, I got to witness astronaut-like dedication in a brave young volunteer who deliberately chose a tough road - actually, a tough run across the second oldest desert in the world!  Meet Bonita Choi, the 25 year old financial analyst from Hong Kong who completed a seven-day, 250km endurance run in May so that she could help the helpless!  

Because of a chance meeting with one of our staff, Bonita learned about the service Christian Action offers those who come to us as asylum seekers and refugees here in Hong Kong.  She says, "A close friend of mine had been through some domestic violence the year before and I could relate to the violence these women had been through in order to escape the extraordinary situations in their home countries.  Their cause fell into my lap.

"I decided that any proceeds from a fundraising effort should be split three ways - women, children and the operation costs of Christian Action's Refugee Program.  Children are the future of any community and by sponsoring education costs I was investing in the children as well as the community's future. I had to sponsor the operation costs of the centre - because if people don't do this enough, there would be no programme at all.  The refugee programme receives no funding from the Government - so every cent counts!"

Athletes came from around the world to participate in the 250km ultra-marathon across the Namib Desert in Namibia, South West Africa.  Bonita says that the thought of being able to help so many women and children kept her going through the harsh climate of the desert, despite dehydration and swollen joints.  "Being able to raise awareness and donations for people who have nothing was inspiring enough to get me through the race," she said.

Her amazing fundraising effort raised the incredible sum of HK$92,540 (much of which was via the online site http://www.ammado.com/nonprofit/ckmsc )!

Our heartfelt thanks go to Bonita for putting herself through something so arduous in order to help people, particularly African women, who have travelled even further than she did, often carrying little children and fleeing in fear of their lives.

We believe that all men and women are equal in the sight of God regardless of their nationality and that they have a right to be given refuge from persecution and injustice. Next week I'll tell you more about the ways we're able to serve these desperate people.

Meanwhile, perhaps you could think about how you too can raise funds to help us help those who have nowhere else to turn for help in their time of trouble and need.
God bless you!

Siew Mei