How I did it: How I got started in donating to the UNHCR was quite simple: I saw their stand along a busy street in Kowloon, Hong Kong. Interested, I proceeded to chat with a fundraiser to learn more about the work they do, and how my involvement could potentially help refugees all over the world.

It didn't take me long to decide that, okay, I have to sign up to a monthly donation scheme. It doesn't cost me much but will mean real help to the most desperate people on this planet.

Lessons & tips: Growing up in Hong Kong, one of the most capitalist societies in the world, I'm nevertheless mindful of the need to help people in need.

The difficult decision is, of course, in identifying the worthy cause which you can then commit your limited resources to helping.

My advice to those who are willing to help but remain undecided -  trust your instincts and intuition. There may well be more than one causes that you feel you are drawn to. But there's only so much you can do. So stop thinking about which is the best and trust your heart to tell you which one you want to start with. After all, the earlier you start, the more help you can offer. And when you are more well off, you can always do more to help.

Put it simply: start NOW with a little; do more later.

Feb 15, 2010, 09:54PM PST | 1 comment