A step is more than distance — it is the power to change lives.

Oxfam's report, "Takers Not Makers," points out that despite contributing 90 percent of the labour that drives the global economy, workers in low- and middle-income countries receive only 21 percent of global income. Meanwhile, billionaire wealth surges three times faster than the year before, while the number of people living in poverty has barely changed since 1990. Although the wealth gap between nations and social classes shows little sign of narrowing, if each of us is willing to go the extra mile, the day we eradicate poverty will draw significantly nearer.

On 17 October, the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, is not just a commemorative day; it is a call to action. Oxfam Hong Kong invites everyone to take 1,017 steps with us on this day, symbolising our collective march towards a world without poverty. Every step you take can bring about real change in the world.

Diverse Backgrounds, Shared Struggles
 

Bridging the Distance of Separation: A Daughter 1,500 Kilometres from Her Dad

1,500 kilometres separate Qiqi, a young girl in Dingxi, Gansu, from her father, who works in Zhejiang and comes home just once or twice a year. She used to sit silently in class, too shy to speak or join in. But after joining activities at the village’s children’s activity centre—supported by Oxfam— Qiqi gradually discovered her confidence and joy. This warmth dissolves the distance that waiting once created.

Bridging the Distance for Clean Water: Fetching Water by Foot for 6 Kilometres

In a remote Kenyan community, teachers and students exhausted their energy on a daily six-kilometre walk to fetch saline water from a lake for school. The long journey left them unable to focus on studies, and at risk of kidney stones due to poor water quality. With support from Oxfam and its partners, new piping and tanks were established at the school, allowing students to focus on their studies. This six-kilometre distance has been reduced to zero through Oxfam’s support.

 

Bridging the Distance of Being Seen: The 30,000 Steps of a Street Cleaner

Hong Kong’s street cleaners are the unsung heroes of our city. Every day, they push trolleys weighing 10 to 20 kilograms and work on the streets for five to nine hours, quietly keeping our city clean, often at the cost of chronic pain. Yet their hard work is too often overlooked. Oxfam stands with street cleaners, advocating for their health, dignity, and rights. Your support is a vital step towards justice and a fairer society.