SUNSHINE ACTION

CHINA Shenyang (瀋陽） Shenyang (瀋陽) is the capital and largest city of Liaoning Province, the People's Republic of China. Shenyang is located on the southern edge of the Northeast Plain, connected to the Liaodong Peninsula in the south and the Changbai Mountain foothills to the north. It is located within the Bohai Rim Economic Circle and is an important hub for China's Bohai Rim region, Northeast China and the Korean Peninsula. Shenyang City currently governs ten districts, one city and two counties, with a total area of approximately 13,000 square kilometers and an urban area of 3,495 square kilometers. As of 2020, it had a population of 9.07 million, making it the largest city in Northeast China in terms of urban population. By the end of 2016, more than 13,000 HIV cases had been reported in Liaoning, with more than 6,000 cases in Shenyang. As testing increases and high-risk groups become aware of their own health, there will be an increase in the number of HIV cases. As the AIDS epidemic in Liaoshen area continues to increase, more and more patients require antiviral treatment and hospitalization. As the Department of Infectious Diseases of the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University provides inpatient treatment for patients, the treatment in Shenyang City is most effective among the three northeastern provinces. Some patients from the other northeastern provinces come to Shenyang for testing and treatment, however many patients cannot return home on the same day. As Shenyang is the economic and cultural center of Northeast China, some patients choose to come to Shenyang to work whilst getting treated, but they are often unable to find a suitable place to stay. Additionally, family members of patients who come to care for hospitalized patients have no place to stay, thus they cannot provide proper care for patients. FIREFLY CO-OP GROUP - 螢火蟲工作組 The Firefly Co-op Group is a group hoping to provide support for HIV-infected individuals in Shenyang through various different services. Their main objectives include: Short-term objectives: 1、Understand current health status and infection history of HIV patients 2、Ensure compliance with treatment plan 3、Provide a safe space for HIV patients to express their feelings about their HIV infection. 4、Provide emotional support and help to HIV patients. 5、Identify depressive suicidal thoughts and provide timely treatment and consultation 6、Understand the significance of life-threatening death to yourself 7、Long-term survivors’ career and survival plans Long-term objectives: 1、Help patients accept their HIV infection and its subsequent consequences 2、Address the guilt and shame associated with HIV 3、Increase awareness of HIV and facilitate treatment to improve the condition 4、Reduce fear, helplessness, and loneliness in HIV patients 5、Resolve feelings anger and revenge 6、Accept HIV status and participate in society without resentment Sunshine Action volunteers with and funds the several programs run by the Firefly Co-op group. “宜仁居”Temporary Shelter One of the main projects Sunshine Action helps fund is the halfway house (宜仁居）project . These temporary shelters (宜仁居) provides the following services: food and accommodation services, testing appointments, volunteer opportunities, hospitalisation services, nursing services, poverty and disease relief and other services. The " 宜仁居 " venues is also used to carry out different events such as small peer education, childbirth self-rescue, birthday parties, small gatherings, traditional Chinese medicine treatment etc. The venues can also be used to provide a comfortable, safe and confidential communication platform for patients and their families. With the Firefly Co-op Group, we have provided: - Free meals to 4791 people - Entertainment and visitations to 3682 people - Telephone and network consultations 32,309 times - Chinese medicine treatment 733 times - Subsistence allowances and retired 187 people - Surgery and hospital treatment for 853 people - Hospital transfers for 96 people - Policy documents for 4791 people Red Ribbon Clinical Services - 紅絲帶門診服務 After testing positive, patients regularly visit the Red Ribbon Clinic of China Medical University for testing, follow-up, and medicine collection. Some tests must be taken on an empty stomach and can take a long time to complete. Not only have the staff and volunteers of the Shenyang Firefly Co-op Group helped resolve relevant issues raised by patients onsite, but they have also been providing "one-on-one" and "face-to-face" services to patients at the Red Ribbon Clinic. The services provided include: Free Breakfast: Provided free breakfast service of bread and milk to infected persons and patients Information and consultation services: Provide relevant treatment, social welfare information, and medication consultation to care recipients Referral service: Provide referrals for treatment, coordinate hospitalization, etc. for care recipients. Volunteer services: provide testing appointments, feedback on test results, doctor appointments, retrieve test orders, help deliver medicines, and accompany infected persons and patients. The Firefly Working Group have provided their services to over 34,586 patients at the Red Ribbon Clinic. They have also helped handle the delivery of medicines to 5,491 patients, and provided testing services to to 365 people. Their work has prevented HIV in 1,500 people. Pre vention and Advertising The Firefly Co-op Group also encourages HIV-infected persons to help raise awareness about HIV. The participation of these individuals in AIDS publicity, education and anti-discrimination work can help increase people's support for HIV-infected peop le and have a long-term effect on correcting society's misunderstandings about AIDS. Not only that, the direct participation of infected people can also hone their speaking and training skills and abilities, allowing them to gradually play a more important role in the response to AIDS. The latest statistics show that the number of infected people in colleges and universities in Liaoning Province is increasing rapidly, as college students tend to be sexually active. If the infection cannot be detected in time, it will have a serious impact on their future employment and life. To raise awareness about HIV infection, staff and volunteers of the Firefly Co-op Group give lectures at university campuses on AIDS knowledge. HIV-infected people also give anti-disc rimination lectures to reduce social discrimination against infected people. Volunteers from the Firefly Co-op Group also participated in the Liaoning Provincial Red Cross AIDS Care Project, where volunteers served as college student peer education hosts and provided relevant training for college student volunteers in many sc hools in Liaoning Province. Other Service s The Firefly Co-op Group also provides services for HIV-infected patients who are in poverty to help them with their HIV journey, which i nclude providing financial aid for patients in poverty to help them improve their quality of life. The group also provides support for HIV patients to live their lifes after their diagnosis. The diagnosis of HIV can have significant impacts on the lives of the patients. Many patients become unable to work and thus lose their jobs due to infections that were not treated in time, which can cause financial burden for patients and their families. To help with this "poverty due to illness", the Firefly Co-op Group helps patients learn various skills to increase the employability of patients. By inviting hand-knitting artists and using the "宜仁居" venues to provide hand-knitting skills training, infected people and patients can master one or several hand-knitting skills. The products created by patients are sold in charity sales held by different organisations (such as the Firefly Co-op Group, Red Cross etc.), and all proceeds go back to the HIV patients. This program not only increases the living income of patients, but can also boost psychological wellbeing through the knitting process. The Group also carries out home and hospital visits to lift the mood of patients and reduce psychological distress, educate family members and carers about HIV, which in turn can not only strengthen the relationship between patients and their families, but can also help combat the prejudice against HIV patients. Within society, the Firefly Co-op group also does many events and activities to raise awareness for HIV and AIDS. In addition to the lectures to university students, the Firefly Co-op group also organises talks to different members of society, and each talk is specifically designed to target a specific group within society. The Firefly Co-op Group also provides psychological support to HIV patients to reduce anger, resentment, loneliness and fear, and helps patients learn to cope with the changes that come with the infection. This in turn, can help patients re-integrate themselves within society. In addition to Firefly Co-op Group, Sunshine Action has also donated to the following HIV Charities: - Aids Concern 關懷愛滋 - Hong Kong AIDS Foundation 香港愛滋病基金會 - Society of Aids Care 愛滋寧養服務協會 (香港) - SVD Mother of Perpetual Help Center (Thailand) - PRERANA - org. by PLWHA (Nepal) - Happy Heaven Humanitarian Project (Myanmar) - Wangige 'Stars of Hope' HIV group (Kenya) - Karai Pamoja HIV group (Kenya) - Gikambura Gibra HIV Group (Kenya) - Thogoto Gibra HIV Group (Kenya) - Kikuyu C.A.E. group (Kenya) - A.C.K. Gathiga HIV/AIDS self-help group (Kenya) - Gitaru Muguga CBO HIV group (Kenya) - Missionaries of Charities 泰國仁愛之家 (Nong Bua Lumphu-Thailand) - Tung Tam Mai Hoi ( Ho Chi Minh-Vietnam) - NHCC New Hope for the Cambodian Children (Cambodia) - Happy Tree House of Rainbow Bridge (Cambodia)

MYANMAR Intro Four Sunshine Action volunteers went to Yangon & Mae Sot, distributing over 30 tones of food & material through the following several organizations including the Burmese Migrant Worker's Education Committee, Eyes to Burma for the dump site, Boddha Ditta Nun Vihara, Mangalar Parahita Youth Development Center, Tikha Rama nun Vihara,Happy Heaven Humanitarian Project for HIV/AIDS orphans, Mayan Chaung Leprosy village and the Social Action for Women. In this trip, we also sponsored tuition fee for teachers, solar light, shoes, and many more, estimated to benefit over 2'316 people directly Our focus is to ensure that as many children and young people as possible have access to a quality education which enriches their lives now, and opens opportunities for them either back in Myanmar, in Thailand or further afield. At the moment we oversee education for approximately 3'500 children in 25 learning centres. Living on Landfill Eyes to Burma is truly fortunate that Australian filmmaker, Helen Newman of Nomad Films, visited the Mae Sot garbage dump and was so moved by what she saw that she made a short documentary. She recently sent a link to the film, and said: "Finally I am able to share the film created from my time on a Thai rubbish dump with Burmese refugees and the wonderful Fred Stockwell from Eyes to Burma. I met so many inspiring, powerful and positive people during this shoot and was reminded again both of the incredible strength of the human spirit and how much difference one person can make." We met Fred Stockwell, a wonderful man of 70 years old alone taking care of hundreds of people in the dump site of Mae Sot, Thailand. A garbage dump outside of Mae Sot, Thailand, is home to a group of Burmese people who have been displaced by armed conflicts in Burma. They are unable to return to their country where many of their villages have been destroyed and are unable to gain legal refugee status in Thailand; thus, their options are very limited. Those living in the Mae Sot Dump, even the children, earn a meager living by picking recyclable plastic from piles of garbage.

Our Projects Fortune Bag Programme Street-sleeper Programme Plant the Planet Save the Sea Medical Missions Student Sponsorship Microfinance Building Projects Water for the World Projects by Region Overseas Branches Sunshine Action UK Sunshine Action US

E: sunshine@sunshine-action.org | T: (+852) 6888 4028 CONTACT US Contact Hong Kong Sunny Mak , Founder and Director Email: sunshine@sunshine-action.org Whatsapp: ( +852) 6888 4028 Mailing Address: Room D, 13/F Wing Kin Industrial Building, 4-6 Wing Kin Road, Kwai Chung, HONG KONG United Kingdom Adria n Yan , Director and Head of Sunshine Ambassadors Email: ambassador@sunshine-action.org Whatsapp: ( +852) 5544 9656 United States Monica Bhardwaj Email: monica.bhardwaj@sunshine-action.org

Sunshine DB Club 「耀陽行動 」+「出類拔萃」 = 耀陽拔萃會 ⭐ 「出類拔萃」這句成語，就從《孟子． 公孫丑上》中的「出於其類，拔乎其萃」演變而出，用來形容才能特出，超越眾人。 Since 2019, Diocesan Boys’ School 男拔萃 (DBS) has cultivated not only academic distinction but also a profound ethos of compassion through its enduring partnership with Sunshine Action. Exemplary students who demonstrate exceptional dedication and leadership are honored with the distinction of Sunshine Ambassadors—appointed pupil leaders entrusted with guiding and overseeing the initiatives of Sunshine Action’s DBS chapter. 🌐 Comprising primarily alumni who have been engaged with Sunshine Action since Grade 10, the club serves as a vital nexus, uniting past and present students in a shared commitment to service. Its core mission is threefold: to foster connections among alumni, facilitate participation in Sunshine Action’s philanthropic endeavors, and orchestrate bespoke corporate collaborations that enhance professional development opportunities. For many years, Diocesan Boys’ School has maintained an exceptional academic record in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme, consistently producing 4-5 graduates with a perfect score of ib45 points and approximately 10 high achievers of ib44 and many more ib43 within a cohort of around 60 students. The school’s average IB score of 42.5 further attests to its rigorous academic standards and the caliber of its students. Remarkably, in the inaugural year of its partnership with Sunshine Action, Diocesan Boys’ School achieved an extraordinary milestone—emerging as the top-ranked IB school globally that year. This unprecedented accomplishment not only underscored the institution’s academic excellence but also highlighted the transformative impact of strategic collaboration in fostering unparalleled educational outcomes. In 2025, they stand as IBDP graduates, their potential honed and their purpose sharpened, crossing a defining threshold: their inaugural corporate meeting with Margaret Lo, Executive Director and Head of Philanthropy Investment Services BNP Paribas 法國巴黎銀行—a luminary in the world of strategic giving. ☀ For the "Sunshine DB Club 耀陽拔萃會" , this was more than a ceremonial introduction to high-impact philanthropy; it was a masterclass in influence, a gateway to the inner workings of legacy-building generosity. The dialogue transcended mere networking—it was an immersion into the alchemy of turning vision into action, where every handshake carried the weight of future collaborations and every insight could seed tomorrow’s transformative projects. ⭐ Here, education met execution. The students didn’t just observe; they engaged with the architecture of change, learning that the currency of impact is not just intention, but access—to wisdom, to networks, to the unspoken rhythms of leadership. Now, as these alumni embark on new journeys across the globe, we are proud to unveil an inspiring next chapter: 💫 “The Sunshine DBS Club” connecting the alumini Why Join the “ Sunshine DB Club ” ? 🌍 Reconnect & Rekindle – Forge bonds with fellow DBS Sunshine Ambassadors and DBS alumni spanning the US, UK, Hong Kong, and beyond. Reunite with old friends and expand your network with like-minded changemakers. 🚀 Innovate & Elevate – Collaborate on groundbreaking charitable initiatives within universities and corporations, designing programs that redefine social impact for the next generation. 💼 Grow & Empower – Leverage a global community of professionals to exchange opportunities, mentorship, and support as you navigate your career’s next frontier. The inaugural first charitable deed is donating nearly 7’000 packs of Milk products to 23 kindergartens and schools for the underprivileged & SEN children and families in need – Deeply appreciate the generosity and support from 蒙牛 Mengniu Dairy 🐄 milk products -the largest milk and dairy producer in China: C.C.C. Mongkok Church Kai Oi School 中華基督教會望覺堂啟愛學校 Fresh Fish Traders' School 鮮魚行學校 HK Red Cross John F. Kennedy Centre 香港紅十字會甘迺迪中心 Hong Chi Winifred Mary Cheung Morninghope School 匡智張玉瓊晨輝學校 Mental Health Association of Hong Kong Cornwall School 香港心理衛生會臻和學校 Rhenish Church Grace School 禮賢會恩慈學校 Yan Chai Hospital Chan Iu Seng Primary School 仁濟醫院陳耀星小學 Yan Chai Hospital Chiu Tsang Hok Wan Primary School 仁濟醫院趙曾學韞小學 Yan Chai Hospital Choi Hin To Primary School 仁濟醫院蔡衍濤小學 10. Yan Chai Hospital Choi Pat Tai Kindergarten / Child Care Centre 仁濟醫院蔡百泰幼稚園 / 幼兒中心 11. Yan Chai Hospital Fong Kong Fai Kindergarten / Child Care Centre 仁濟醫院方江輝幼稚園 / 幼兒中心 12.Yan Chai Hospital Ho Sik Nam Primary School 仁濟醫院何式南小學 13. Yan Chai Hospital Ju Ching Chu Kindergarten / Child Care Centre 仁濟醫院裘錦秋幼稚園 / 幼兒中心 14. Yan Chai Hospital Kwok Chi Leung Kindergarten / Child Care Centre 仁濟醫院郭子樑幼稚園 / 幼兒中心 15. Yan Chai Hospital Law Chan Chor Si Primary School 仁濟醫院羅陳楚思小學 16. Yan Chai Hospital Ming Tak Kindergarten 仁濟醫院明德幼稚園 17. Yan Chai Hospital Nina Lam Kindergarten / Child Care Centre 仁濟醫院林李婉冰幼稚園 / 幼兒中心 18. Yan Chai Hospital Shan King Kindergarten / Child Care Centre 仁濟醫院山景幼稚園 / 幼兒中心 19. Yan Chai Hospital Tung Pak Ying Kindergarten / Child Care Centre 仁濟醫院董伯英幼稚園 / 幼兒中心 20. Yan Chai Hospital Wing Lung Kindergarten / Child Care Centre 仁濟醫院永隆幼稚園 / 幼兒中心 21. Yan Chai Hospital Yau Oi Kindergarten / Child Care Centre 仁濟醫院友愛幼稚園 / 幼兒中心 22. Yan Chai Hospital Yim Tsui Yuk Shan Kindergarten 仁濟醫院嚴徐玉珊幼稚園 23. Yan Chai Hospital Zonta Club of Kowloon Kindergarten / Child Care Centre 仁濟醫院九龍崇德社幼稚園 / 幼兒中心 🥮 A Mid-Autumn Celebration of Compassion: Henderson Sunlight 陽光房地產投資 & Sunshine Action 耀陽行動 Illuminate Lives Through "Moon Sunshine Bags 耀陽中秋節 & 世界糧食日福袋" 2025 program. 🫶🏼 In a heartfelt celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival, Henderson Group and Sunshine Action / Sunshine DB Club joined forces to pack and distribute the "Moon Sunshine Bags"—a symbolic gesture of hope and nourishment for vulnerable communities across Hong Kong.

SRI LANKA Sunshine Action volunteers went to Chilaw, Sri Lanka with the following mission: - Distribute food for the flood-affected families in Seemaweliya village. We rebuilt 6 completely new houses for those who lost it during the disaster, plus a new community hall.

Information about our recent and previous work in Vietnam VIETNAM Intro In the coming June 2024, Sunshine Action & Doctor of Excellence is partnering to conduct some charity and healthcare programs around Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam. Local partner organizations: - Sisters of the Lovers of the Hole Cross Congregation of Cai Mon, LHC - Gia Dinh Tinh Thuong Te-Phan (The Orphanage) Mission of the Trip 旅程目的: - Food distribution for the poorest of the poor. 購買、包裝食物包，並運送至貧民 - Visiting & volunteering in several local organizations - Providing Health Check and others health related programs 1. Promotion of health awareness: The health check-up program is designed to provide medical assistance to local Vietnamese communities that lack access to healthcare facilities. The program aims to promote a deeper understanding of health conditions and educate individuals on preventive measures for both infectious and non-infectious diseases, as well as the maintenance of good physical health. Through the program, individuals can increase their health awareness and acquire knowledge about hygiene maintenance. This program is an initiative that seeks to address the healthcare needs of underprivileged communities and promote overall well-being. 2. Provision of professional advice and guidance: A DOE doctor mentor will be in attendance to offer expert advice for local villagers based on their health check results after examination, which includes guidance on daily healthy routines, nutritional recommendations, appropriate physical activity, and strategies for managing a healthy lifestyle, to assist local residents in enhancing their well-being. 3. Early detection of health issues: A comprehensive health check that includes an assessment of body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol levels, and other relevant indicators can facilitate the identification of potential health concerns. This screening may detect hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other chronic conditions before they become symptomatic. Prompt intervention and management of these conditions can significantly reduce their impact on an individual's health. Therefore, this health check up is the first step to maintaining optimal health and wellbeing of the local residents in Vietnam. The SUNSHINE STUDENTS SPONSORSHIP program in Vietnam (2013), sponsoring 30 childen on a yearly basis... this is the first time we met them personally in the villages. Since 2008, SUNSHINE ACTION volunteers have been in VIETNAM almost on yearly basis consecutively for the following programs: - Food & basic material distribution for thousands of poor, including severely sick, handicapped, etc... - Toilets for the handicapped & poor elderly - WATER PUMPS to provide clean water for the villagers - FREE MEDICINE for the poor. Sunshine Action Medicine program covers approx. 12'000 cases per year. - New Bridges for the villages - Visit & Food for the Orphanage - PLANT the PLANET : follow SUNSHINE ACTION tradition to plant trees everywhere the volunteers go.

SOUTH AFRICA SUNSHINE ACTION donated some food and resources through a friend Nosipho in South Africa

PLANT THE PLANET Project Info Plant the Planet plants trees, flowers, and other plants in countries around the world to help combat climate change. To date, Sunshine Action has planted over 322,000 trees, plants, fruit trees and flowers in Hong Kong, Kenya, China, Sri Lanka, Mongolia, Thailand, Nepal, and India. Newly planted trees are sponsored by local farmers and schools. Sunshine Action plants new trees/plants on all charity trips outside of Hong Kong. Sunshine Action is struggling to financially sustain all programs, including the Plant the Planet Program. Your contribution would mean a lot to us. Donate now! History of Plant the Planet Plant the Planet began in 2010 as a way of fighting climate change during Sunshine Action's charity trips. New trees were planted on charity trips to countries outside of Hong Kong. Approximately 280,000 of these trees are in Mongolia and China. Due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, Plant the Planet has been suspended since the beginning of the pandemic. However, once travel restrictions are lifted, the program will resume normal activities. Why is Plant the Planet Important? Did you know that an area of rainforest the size of a football field is being destroyed every second? Tropical forests cover 23% of the Earth’s land surface but are disappearing at a rate of 4.6 million hectares per year. Trees are crucial to absorbing carbon dioxide and producing the oxygen that helps sustain humanity. They reduced the greenhouse effect by shading our homes and office buildings, and help maintain the environment by preventing soil erosion, maintaining local rainfall patterns, and maintaining populations of plants, animals, and insects. Planting trees is one of the cheapest and most effective ways of drawing excess carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere. Fast Facts according to UN Environmental Program: Three-quarters of the world's people rely on wood as their main source of energy. On average, each American uses more than 600 pounds of paper and almost 200 board feet of timber per year A single mature tree can absorb carbon dioxide at a rate of 22.7 kg/year (48 lbs) and release enough oxygen back into the atmosphere to support 2 human beings. One acre of trees annually consumes the amount of carbon dioxide equivalent to that produced by driving an average car for 41,483km (26,000 miles). That same acre of trees also produces enough oxygen for 18 people to breathe for a year.

OUR STORY On January 1st 2008, three volunteers founded Sunshine Action with nothing but heart and one mission: to serve those in need. During one of the toughest economic crises in Hong Kong, our founder used his own salary to purchase 100 packets of rice, which were donated to 100 struggling workers. From that day, Sunshine Action has come a long way, committing to operate fully on volunteers and donations. Having worked with 30 organizations in only its first year, Sunshine Action has grown tremendously. Today, it is estimated that Sunshine Action has helped over 430,000 people directly, reaching 25 countries & regions worldwide, and partnering with around 950 other charitable organizations. Moreover, we've greatly expanded in volunteering programs since our launch, having had more than 10,000 students and corporate volunteers working together for this mission. We take pride in the many events and programs which Sunshine Action have hosted over the years, mainly in our Fortune Bag and Street Sleepers programs in Hong Kong, US & UK. Sunshine Action continually works to expand and globalize, with bases in both the United Kingdom and the United States, and by working with interns to further the vision established at the heart of the charity. We stay committed to serving those in need. The UN Sustainable Development Goals Sunshine Action has many different programs around the world. Our programs address 14 of the 17 UN sustainable development goals, with a main focus on no poverty and zero hunger. BENEFICIARIES Sunshine Action has done several mass programs reaching over 450,000 low-income families and individuals through over 1,070 humanitarian organizations and charity centers in 25 regions and countries. These countries include U.S.A., U.K., Hong Kong, China, Bangladesh, Singapore, South Africa, Myanmar, Kenya, Mongolia, India, Zimbabwe, Chile, Macau, Nepal, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Ukraine, Turkey, Zambia & Philippines. Our programs cover 14 UN Sustainable Development Goals, including donation of rice and packed foods, medicines, products of basic needs, as well as medical missions, building houses and environmental programs.

SUNSHINEVERSE What is SunshineVerse? SunshineVerse is an innovative project aimed to benefit the wellbeing of the unfortunate and disadvantaged in Hong Kong. More specifically, the SunshineVerse is a virtual reality (VR) solution aimed to help overcome the issues faced by the disadvantaged. During the COVID-19 lockdown, problems such as loneliness and social isolation were highlighted, causing a rise in both physical and mental health problems (due to lack of social interaction and diagnosis). The SunshineVerse was designed and created in order to address these issues. Although the COVID pandemic is no longer considered a major threat, these problems still exist due to a variety of societal issues, including lack of financial support, and physical and health limitations. With the increasing percentage of disadvantaged (including elderly, poor people, those with disabilities etc.) individuals confined to their homes by a lack of mobility, SunshineVerse seeks to leverage technology to address their physical, social, and emotional needs. Although we imagine SunshineVerse to be a highly scalable model that can serve diverse needs with time, we aim to kickstart the program with two main initiatives: VR travel and VR Meditati on. VR Travel: Provide elderly individuals with virtual travel experiences, allowing them to explore and immerse themselves in different countries and landmarks. Provide descriptions and information about each landmark in text and speech form in 3 languages - English, Cantonese, and Spanish. Enable participation in activities that would be limited due to mobility constraints. Promote physical activity, sensory stimulation, and a sense of adventure. VR Meditation: Introduce virtual reality scenes that cater to the specific religious beliefs and preferences of patients nearing the end of their lives. Create immersive experiences that simulate a comforting and pleasurable environment for patients during their final stages. For example, a Christian scene may involve serene music and the sight of angels welcoming the patient to heaven, while a Buddhist scene may feature a peaceful temple with soft lighting and the presence of the Buddha. Justification for SunshineVerse Our research has identified three main problems amongst the elderly and the disadvantaged in Hong Kong - loneliness, cognitive decline, and lack of physical activity. In Hong Kong, the prevalence of physical inactivity was 13.5% among people aged 65-74 years, 22.4% among those aged 75-84 years, and 42.8% among those aged 85 years or above in 2019 (Centre for Health Protection Hong Kong Government, 2020). This not only has an impact on their physical health, but also their mental health. Research has shown that lower levels of physical activity can result in worse mental health outcomes. There is increased risk of depression and anxiety, and a decrease in overall wellbeing (Marconcin et al., 2022). Social life is not always emphasized while loneliness is a common issue among the elderly living in elderly homes. There are 34% of elderly persons living in elderly homes reported feeling lonely or isolated (Hong Kong Jockey Club Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention, 2019). This can have a negative impact on their mental and physical health. In terms of physical health, social isolation can result in an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke. From the mental health perspective, loneliness is a risk for depression, cognitive decline, dementia, anxiety, and suicide (WHO, 2021). Dementia is a large problem in Hong Kong. According to the Mental Health Review Report in Hong Kong (2017), about 100,000 elderly persons were diagnosed with dementia. This accounts for about 10% of the elderly population. Not only will those with dementia slowly become more and more forgetful, but their personality may also change as well, becoming more erratic and apathetic. As their dementia progresses, they will no longer be able to live alone safely, and will need to rely on carers. Elderlies also have a natural decline in cognitive abilities, even when they are healthy. How will SunshineVerse help? The SunshineVerse addresses these problems by: Creating an immersive experience for users to increase their sense of adventure. Provide new cultural experiences and entertainment which keep users engaged and active. Strengthen social bonds between users and others through the sharing of new experiences. Reduce the sense of isolation and loneliness by experiencing virtual travel together with others. Encourage cognitive stimulation for elderly through learning new technological skills and information. Helps elderly recall older memories as well as create new memories, which in turn improves social interaction with others. Provides calming and pleasantly stimulating experiences to alleviate stress and anxiety and induce positive emotions. Allowing those without financial stability to experience travelling, reducing perceived deprivation and increasing positive mood. SunshineVerse aims to improve the quality of life of our beneficiaries by increasing motivation for physical activity, reduce anxiety and strengthen bonds between beneficiaries and those around them. It is likely that in a couple of years, there will be much more VR technology available for commercial use amongst the general population. With the SunshineVerse, we aim to be the first to help integrate VR technology into everyday life in order to serve the elderly and those in need. In the future, we hope to include more and more services, including VR communication, medical consultation and diagnosis, VR therapy etc., but these will have to come later in line with the advancement of VR technology. To our knowledge, there are currently no companies or organisations using VR and technology to improve the lives of the disadvantaged in Hong Kong. Most of the VR entertainment services in Hong Kong are directed towards the youth, and are costly. However, testing VR experiences (including VR travel and VR games) with our beneficiaries (3 elderlies aged 80-90 years) showed that they are highly interested in trying various VR experiences. The VR experience left the elderlies feeling happy and excited, and they all said they would use these services again. Primitive testing shows that the SunshineVerse is capable of bringing significant positive impacts into the lives of the disadvantaged. What next? SunshineVerse is our next big project. We will be focusing on the launch and development of this project over the next few years, with the aim of kickstarting the project development in 2024. Sunshine Action is currently discussing the development of SunshineVerse with various VR developers in Hong Kong. We are also actively applying and looking for funding for this innovative project. If you are interested in donating or want to help us with the development of this project, please contact Sunny at sunshine@sunshine-action.org .

MICROFINANCE Project Info MicroFinance helps small entrepreneurs and businesses that lack access to normal commercial banking (due to high costs) succeed by helping them financially. History of the MicroFinance Project Sunshine Action started its MicroFinance program in Vietnam in 2014, when it granted 2 groups of farmers and laborers a few cows and micro-loans to help them pursue their projects. Sunshine Action is NOT subvented by the Hong Kong government or any government, the Community Chest of Hong Kong, or the Lottery Fund of the Jockey Club of Hong Kong. All the funding comes from the general public and corporations, and on average 98% of the food, materials and contributions from Sunshine Action are purchased.