Sport Programme
Through participating in different sport including hiking, running, swimming, and others, we support our participants to rehabilitate from trauma, improve physical and mental strength, and build resilience.
The core of RUN's programmes is our Sport Programme. Studies show the immense power of sport and being outdoors to combat trauma, depression, and other mental health challenges that our participants face. We work with each of our participants to set individual goals and our programme offers multiple levels to cater to participants at different points of their fitness journey.
RUN is the only NGO in Hong Kong that provides regular sport activities for women refugees. We have a special focus on women as female refugees often find it harder to access sport than male due to barriers such as religion, cultural values, past experience of sexual violence, cost of transportation and duties associated with childcare. With this in mind, we also provide support services (such as childcare and babysitting stipends) to the female participants to enable them to exercise.
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Hiking to Heal
Hiking to Heal was our first programme in 2015, which supported a small group of vulnerable women recovering from severe trauma through hiking. Now, it is a weekly sport programme that alternates hiking with complementary sports such as yoga, swimming, self-defence, and basketball for RUN's women participants.
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Track Training
Our weekly mixed-gender track training sessions are led by volunteer running coaches, offering a greater physical challenge than Hiking to Heal. We support refugees to participate in local trail races that span distances anywhere from 5km to 100km, because our experience has shown that working towards and achieving such goals helps to boost self-esteem, and participating in races helps to increase a sense of belonging and integration with the local community.
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Kids' Programme
Our weekly Kids’ Programme combines sport (track training, rugby, and other sports) with homework help for children of our adult participants. We also organise additional programming during the holidays to help them stay active and engaged, even when schools are closed. This gives us the chance to better support our participants who are parents and have more direct interaction with their children, who often face their own physical and mental health issues.
“In my situation as a refugee, everyday I am challenged mentally, emotionally, and physically, and always left hoping that my future will be better. By accomplishing my race, I feel like I finally had something to hold in my hands that proved to myself that I can accomplish my goals and make something happen. Now, I know that I can achieve even bigger goals because I will keep pushing forward to make it happen, and one day I will hold bigger success in my hands.”
— Sydney*, from Sri Lanka