Letter From Our Founder and CEO
Shalini Mahtani

Dear Friends and Supporters,

Let me start by thanking each of you for your support. COVID-19 has been detrimental to many ethnically diverse communities. We could not have made it through the last three years without the inequivalent support of our supporters – including donors, and well-wishers. Thank you.

Together with our supporters, The Zubin Foundation has been improving the lives of Hong Kong’s ethnically diverse individuals since 2016. Key to this effort has been our ethos of collaboration with multiple stakeholders from government, NGOs, schools and universities, and the private sector.

2023 was another significant year for our community, with large numbers of ethnically diverse individuals continuing to lose jobs caused by the fallout from the pandemic. Employment in catering continued to fall and airport and construction-related jobs remained low. With no income, families continued to struggle, and children and women tended to suffer most. In addition, this overall sense of hopelessness has also impacted youth, caused by fear of instability around them.

Our women’s helpline, Call Mira, continued to receive calls for food. We responded by continuing to provide Care Boxes to those families in need. Girls who were unable to afford menstruation supplies received Red Boxes. Call Mira gave us a window into the lives of women subjected to violence at home and we saw requests for legal support increase. With months of staying indoors, we saw more adults and children suffering from depression and anxiety, and requests for mental health counselling rise. The impact on the mental health of this community, already in poverty pre-pandemic, will be long-lasting.

I am grateful for all you do to help us in our mission to improve the lives of Hong Kong’s poorest ethnically diverse individuals.

With gratitude and blessings,

Shalini

2024: HOW WE MAKE A DIFFERENCE

The Zubin Foundation is a registered charity with a mission to improve the lives of Hong Kong’s ethnically diverse individuals by reducing suffering and providing opportunities. These impactful numbers reflect the power of support – made possible by every donor, partner, and volunteer who stood with us. 

1,299 Women and girls provided with a safe space to share, build friendships, and learn new skills		1,260 Youth given opportunities in education and employment to empower them to break the cycle of inter-generational poverty
6,080 Family members had accessed to Zubin’s Family Centre and engaged in direct services such as self- help support groups and special needs therapy for children with autism and ADHD in government primary schools.		1,167 Hours of one-on-one counselling service for adults and children helping them manage their stress, depression, and anxiety, enabling them to better deal with challenges
3,300 Individuals received emergency relief in the form of food, and hygiene products		228 Hours of training provided to universities, in public and international schools and in companies, about the status of ethnically diverse communities as well as racial diversity, equity and inclusion.

Figures in the impact report based on activity attendance. Individual participants may be included multiple times. 

About Shalini Mahtani

Shalini Mahtani

Founder and CEO, The Zubin Foundation

Shalini Mahtani, MH, MBE is one of Hong Kong’s most authoritative and respected voices on social issues, particularly diversity and inclusion. In addition to founding The Zubin Foundation, among the city’s most accomplished think tanks on issues related to ethnically diverse communities’ welfare and patient welfare, Shalini is the founder of Community Business, the first organisation in Asia that brings together companies and their management around women, LGBT and disabilities at work. In 2009, Shalini was honoured by the World Economic Forum as a Young Global Leader, and a year prior she was awarded an MBE from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for her services in corporate social responsibility in Hong Kong. She was also recognised by the HKSAR Government for her contribution to issues related to ethnically diverse communities in Hong Kong. Shalini has authored research and opinion pieces on diversity and inclusion and is a frequent speaker on the topic. She is also a co-host on both BBC World Service and RTHK Radio 3. Shalini is from Hong Kong. She is a graduate of The London School of Economics. She is married and has three children.

Email: mummy@zubinfoundation.org

Photo credit: SCMP