Our Impact
At RUN, our ultimate goal is to empower our participants to create a new life of safety and dignity in Hong Kong and beyond. To that end, we support our participants to build resilience and nurture self-reliance. With this in mind, we measure some specific outcomes, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, where possible.
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[SDG 3 – Good Health & Well-being] Improved mental and physical health of a vulnerable group of refugees, through the creation of a safe and dedicated environment
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[SDG 4 – Quality Education] Restore independence and dignity through education and training to prepare for re-entry into the workforce
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[SDG 5 - Gender Equality] Promote gender equal access to healing for vulnerable refugees through sports
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Strengthen international support for refugees and the countries who host them (Global Compact on Refugees)
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Raise awareness and understanding amongst the local community towards refugees
“I get everything from RUN, and even more. A stranger that calls you sweetheart, embracing you; warmth that has no price; healing that needs no doctor. If I was to write a book, I would not fall short of words of all that I have gained from RUN and its volunteers who take time to spend with us, the ‘nobodies’ in society. Someone sees us as we wait.”
— Maria, from East Africa
2021 Impact at a Glance
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131
We directly served 131 participants representing 21 countries, including 22 men, 52 women, and 57 children.
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134
We provided 134 sport sessions, including women's only hiking, mixed gender track training, and children's sport activities.
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40+
Our participants earned 40+ educational certificates from external online platforms such as Coursera.org and Alison.org.
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11
We helped 11 participants to gain paid work opportunities or internships.
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10
We supported 10 participants to start new lives abroad through community sponsored resettlement.
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After participating in RUN's Sports Programmes
100% report feel physically and mentally stronger
85% report much better levels of energy
83% report much improved mood
79% report much higher confidence
73% report much better self-esteem
88% report improved sleep
75% go to the hospital less
78% of those using medication (painkillers, antidepressants, sleeping aids) report a reduction of their usage
69% say that they are much better able to socialise and make friends
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After participating in RUN's Education Programme
90% report that studying helps them feel like they are regaining some control over their lives
98% report that studying helps them feel more self-reliant
83% report that studying helps them feel like they are getting ready to go back to work
71% report that they find having a mentor to be useful
“RUN continuously teaches me something new about people, about cooperation, about compassion and about myself. In helping others, I am reminded that we are all in this together and we need to remember to support each other. Life has so much to offer if we remember to look beyond ourselves. Being a part of this group means so much to me and it’s all thanks to RUN.”
— Camille, from South Asia
Impact Stories
While numbers help us to see how we're doing, it's individual stories that truly capture the lives changed through our work at RUN. Nothing quite compares to hearing our participants tell us that RUN is their family, watching them smash a goal, or experiencing a tearful goodbye as a family departs Hong Kong for a new life.
Below, you'll read/hear some of our participants’ stories and how RUN is supporting them to build resilience and nurture self-reliance for a more hopeful future. As throughout our website and in all of our communications, our participants’ names have been changed to protect their identities.
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The Pursuit of Normal - Andine's Story
Andine fled her home country of Rwanda with her two young children in tow, seeking asylum in Hong Kong. Read about her journey to build a new life for herself and her family.
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A Mother's Hope for the Future - Sara's Story
Sara came to Hong Kong when she was seven months pregnant. Listen to her story and hear her desire to serve the society and change the world for the better.
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The First 200m - George's Story
George fled ethnic and gang violence in his home in East Africa. Read his story about how participating in sport has helped him to rehabilitate from trauma and given him a new dream for the future.