There are many ways of volunteering, engaging your community, and during the pandemic, we learn to live through adversity by continuing finding ways making positive changes in our daily life.

In December 2020, FunforGOal Foundation has organized an online volunteer activity “I see, I care Project”. This is a 3 sessions of an online community engagement activity taking place on December 12th, 19th and 26^th. By attending all 3 sessions, participants will obtain up to 7 volunteering hours, and get to explore and discuss social issues on aboriginal reconciliation in Canada, and history of Chinese immigrants.

FunforGOal Foundation has invited Ms. Joey from Villa Cathay Care Home to give us a virtual tour of the center and a presentation on its history and services. Villa Cathay Care has a long history of caring for senior Chinese immigrants back in 1922. Those who lived in 1922 were some of the first generation of Chinese immigrants who came to BC to build railways and during the Gold Rush period. Villa Cathay was established as a non-profit organization and continues to be one today.

In addition, we also have Ms. Maura Gowans, the Executive Director of the Aboriginal Mother Centre Society to join us sharing her own personal story of growing up under the effects of Residential School. The struggles she was facing then, and how she overcame, and used that experience to empower others are inspirational! She has also shown us how important it is for reconciliation to take place, and the effort of helping aboriginal people regain their culture, language and history back.

BC SPCA

With an amazing opportunity, we set up a private workshop with BC SPCA in Jan 2020. This is a workshop where parents can accompany their young children to learn about  what animal’s needs and wants are, how to take care of them, how to protect them and the most important is how we can get along with all the animals. It’s a very unique lesson for all of us! BC SPCA is an unique entity, a non-profit animal welfare organization which enforces animal protection legislation, operates animal shelters, and runs educational workshops and public awareness programs throughout B.C. Canada.

“Home” is the most safe, comfortable, happy, and full of love place for all of us.

Everyone needs a home and animal too. Pets can make us happy, feel love,and reduce stress.  Please give those animals a second chance, adopt them, give them a “home”.

One of my most memorable overseas leadership trips was in the year 2018 when I went to Kenya  with a group of my 10 close friends. The African cultures and arts have always been a mystery to me, though I will go on a visit to one of the countries, Kenya, to experience it’s beauty in person! Instead of visiting only the touristy sites, we went straight to where the Maasai community is. We spent 9 days there visiting local schools, farms, markets, and with locals listening to their life stories. Although their life is simple and don’t have much like we do back home, a beautiful furnished place, a car, clothes, bags and tech toys , they are extremely resilient and happy.

Seeing them has made me realize how much I have owned, and yet I am always on the hunt for the next better things, newer version of a cell phone, better car, more expensive personal items etc. It is an awakening call for me to do a total deep self-reflection on questions of  “who I am” and “how I would like to continue living in this world”. Moreover, Days without wifi and social media has helped all of us to get re-connected with ourselves and each other. Those times were the best time ever spent, we talked, joked, sang and swapped life stories. In addition, we learned from our Maasai Mara warriors how they have earned their title and weapons in defending their family and cattles during a fight with a lion. Seriously, how many of us have ever got the chance to fight with a lion with only a spear and a rungu! 

Another highlight of the trip is the visit to the Shafari, seeing all those animals roaming the earth so calmly. All of us were completely in awe with their presence. And, the most amazing thing is when you look at them, they look straight into your eyes, into your soul. These animals sure are different then the ones you see in a zoo or aquarium! After dinner, we were all sharing our thoughts on how we have never felt so connected to nature and other beings which we have lost living in human built cities. And, many of us had tears in our eyes when we saw those beautiful creatures roaming freely while realizing there are still so many animal parts being sold on the market for decoration and status praising purposes. This is truly a transformational trip that has changed my perspectives on life and actions in my daily habit for a better self and a better world! 
By May Yao