Press Release
HKBU volunteers donate homemade hand sanitiser to the needy
Wednesday, 11 Mar 2020
Volunteers from Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) have donated more than 200 litres of alcohol-based hand sanitiser to elderly people living alone, those with a history of mental illness, and grassroots families.
The HKBU volunteer team, which included students and staff members, worked with five non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to distribute the hand sanitiser, and the initiative will help the most vulnerable in society fight against the COVID-19 epidemic.
The batch of hand sanitiser, which contains 75% alcohol, was produced by HKBU's Department of Chemistry according to the World Health Organisation's recommended formulation. Assuming that each use of the product consumes 3ml of hand sanitiser, the amount produced by HKBU can be used 72,000 times.
The volunteer team behind the campaign included students and teachers from the Department of Chemistry, student Green Ambassadors and student hall residents, as well as staff members from the Centre for Innovative Service-Learning, the Estates Office and the Office of Student Affairs.
Since late February, the team have distributed the hand sanitiser to Saint Too Canaan Church of the Evangelize China Fellowship, the Hong Kong Blind Union, St. James' Settlement, the Yiu On Halfway House of Stewards, and the Women Service Association.
Showing their determination to stand with the most underprivileged members of society during the fight against the epidemic, some HKBU volunteers also delivered the hand sanitiser to the homes of the needy together with representatives from the NGOs.
"Many of the citizens we approached are elderly people living alone with mobility issues. Our campaign can help replenish the most needed anti-infection supplies for them, and I am so grateful that I can use my chemistry knowledge to help people in need," said Leo Law, a member of the volunteer team and a year-four student from HKBU's Department of Chemistry. During the campaign, Leo also patiently taught the elders how to use the hand sanitiser together with other volunteers.
