A Gift from Afar

Over 7,000 Christmas presents are headed to children in ICM programs, thanks to Hong Kong charity Box of Hope. Box of Hope is an annual charity project aimed at providing useful/educational gifts to underprivileged children in Hong Kong & Asia donated by Hong Kong school children and local organisations. Founded by Nicole Woolhouse and Harriet Cleverley, Box of Hope gives Hong Kong children the opportunity to experience the positive impact they can make on a child’s life as they create a simple Box of Hope containing hygenic, educational, and fun items for a boy or girl….many of whom have never received a gift! The boxes are then wrapped up and dropped off at school. Once packed into giant Crown Relocation boxes, the shoeboxes are sent to ICM’s bases and then delivered to children who have parents attending ICM Transform programs and children enrolled in ICM Jumpstart Kindergartens. ICM has been a grateful recipient of the boxes since 2009. This year, Hong Kong children and organisations donated over 25,000 boxes.  

Co-founder Nicole Woolhouse shares her personal experience handing out boxes: “Excited children greeted us at the door and strived to impress us with what they had learned in class.  Our boxes were clutched to their chests like treasure, all the items inside lovingly cared for.  Imagine the pride they will have on their first day at Primary School when they arrive with a new pack of their very own pens.  Box of Hope will continue to support the wonderful work of ICM and hopefully reach out and touch the lives of many more children in need.”   Photos 1, 2, 4 courtesy of Box of Hope, third photo courtesy of Charlotte Heathcote