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“Caring Drivers Programme

– Free pickup service for wheelchair-bounded elderly”

How much does your daily transportation cost? Twenty dollars? Fifty dollars?

In Hong Kong, the cost of pickup service for the disabled could be up to five hundred dollars per time. The heavy financial burden of traveling falls mainly on the needy from low-income families, hanging out became luxurious spending. Given that the high transportation cost, some elderly tolerated their broken glasses instead of going for repair in an attempt to reduce the traveling budget. The limited budget further minimizes their area of activity, they could only walk along the surrounding residential area in their district. Worse still, staying at home all day long became their daily routine. Introverted personality will in turn be developed.

Kickoff

In March 2019, a contributor donated a private car which was mainly beneficial to wheelchair passengers. “Build & Wish Voluntary Team” cooperated with the benefactor, started the “Caring Drivers Programme” since June, assisting the traffic of the grassroots disabled. We focus on helping them fulfill their dreams - be it meeting their friends, returning to their neighborhood or hanging out after consultation, in a bid to let them enjoy a better quality of life and embrace challenges. Our team was founded since 2015, we are a charitable organization registered in Hong Kong (IRD no. 91/14666) aiming to “build” and “wish”, supporting the needy in the community. 

Work Summary

June 2019 to January 2020, our service accumulation:

  • finished up to 100 times free pickup service for the disabled

  • recruited and trained 50 volunteer drivers

  • formed an administrative team by 20 volunteers

  • connected with 24 welfare organizations, providing regular service for referrals

  • sponsored by car wash service company for 1.5 years

Application method

Service date: 9 am to 6 pm daily (since 10th June 2019)

Eligibility: wheelchair-bounded disabled elderly (over 65 years old)

Remarks: maximum 1 needy + 2 assistants per car

(Applicants please contact registered social workers for referral, an individual application could not be handled temporarily.)

Enquiry: 9609-0399 (Whatsapp message)

Email: vdriver@buildandwish.org

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First “Hundred” Accomplishment

Hi everyone, it is unbelievable that we achieved it. We began with ten volunteer drivers and executives, without any support provided by large companies, we accompanied the needy through the referral of welfare organizations and pursued their dreams. The “Caring Drivers Programme” accomplished the very first hundred missions. We are grateful to everyone who participated in this meaningful programme, making the unattainable goals come true. We treasure all these precious memories, ranging from photos, videos, or a “thank you”. Million thanks to all of you!

 

Characteristics

You can always find numerous reasons for not doing an aggressive new project. However, you only need to a reason to achieve it. Cooperation, perseverance and strive to excel yourselves would help! Thank you for all 50 volunteer drivers’ contribution!

 Different from normal medical cars for wheelchair-bounded disabled, our characteristics:

1.      We operate without any budget, except expenses on insurance and company law. Our service included car, drivers, gasoline and also “happiness”. Our mission: “wherever you want to go, we would try our best”

2.      We wish to fulfil others’ dream instead of only taking them for doctor consultation and application for documents.

3.      We are a charitable organization without providing salary to volunteers, we serve the community with love and compassion.

4.      We only provide help to referral by social workers.

 We provided service for the following 23 social welfare organizations:

  • The Hong Kong Society for Rehabilitation

  • Charitable Choice

  • Step association

  • The Hong Kong Federation of the Blind

  • SAHK

  • The Salvation Army Chuk Yuen Centre for Senior Citizens

  • The Endeavourers HK Bert James Young Neighbourhood Elderly Centre

  • St. James Settlement

  • Parmela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital

  • Evangelical Lutheran Church Social Service – Hong Kong

  • Hong Kong Young Women’s Christian Association

  • Yan Chai Hospital Social Service Department

  • Yan Oi Tong

  • The Hong Kong Family Welfare Society

  • Christian Family Service Centre

  • Parmela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital (Psychiatric Department)

  • Ma On Shan District Elderly Community Centre

  • Ho Tai Neighbourhood Centre for Senior Citizens

  • Evangelical Lutheran Church Social Service, Caring Centre

  • Social Welfare Department

  • Tuen Mun Youth Integrated Service Centre

  • Brothers & Sisters in Christ Foundation

  • SAGE Rotary Club of Hong Kong Northwest Neighbourhood Elderly Centre

 

The world is full of fraternity.

We sincerely invite people from all walks of life to be our volunteer driver (especially for weekdays), join us in your spare time or after retirement.

 We are currently organizing a new programme “little but sincere crowd funding”. We are hoping to raise $20000 to ensure at least a hand sanitizer dispenser could be installed in each tenement buildings. Please consider a small gift of any amount as thousands of needy are urgently searching for epidemic prevention supplies. We really appreciate your support. Thank you for joining us.

 Video of “Caring Drivers Programme”: https://youtu.be/b9DNZmUu4Dc