How We Started

I wanted to create a home away from home. That was the essence of kindredpacket.

I founded kindredpacket in early 2021 as a way of dealing with
homesickness. I didn't know how to celebrate Lunar New Year over lockdown. I wanted to shift my perspective at the conversations happening in my community, away from loneliness and dejection, and towards joy and empowerment through a shared vision.

What started out as one intimate gathering quickly grew into a kampaign inspiring more than 50 community-led gatherings.

Together we created virtual spaces for connection and cultural appreciation rooted in one of our most important traditions: the exchanging of red packets (envelopes/Lai See 利是/Hong Bao 紅包/Ang Pao) as a symbol of good luck during special occasions and celebrations. We extended this tradition a little further towards giving back to small charities doing great work, raising over £7000 for 13 ESEA charities across the world.

There has been a 179% increase in hate crime against people with ESEA appearance over the pandemic, and 56% of all hate crimes in the UK are directed towards ESEA community. The ESEA community is in great need of a safe and uplifting space away from hate and shame—one where they can foster a greater sense of belonging. kindredpacket became that space during LNY, and my intention is to keep cultivating that space.

Love,
David Kam 甘家伟

Our Values

joy

Choose joy. Share joy as a practice of abundance and sustaining activism. When joy is a habit, love is a reflex.

care

Collective care is self-care. Meaningful exchanges with those around us stem from care and compassion.

acts of giving

We all have something to offer. Our gift is in our stories, coloured vividly by our heritage and culture.

Our Mission

Here at kindredpacket, we aim to…

• mobilise ESEA communities towards collective care found in the acts of service, giving and meaningful exchange

• facilitate the personal exploration of ESEA heritage and culture through the universal power of storytelling

• create easier access to culturally sensitive wellness practices that integrate creativity and social wellbeing

• foster intergenerational and intercultural exchange rooted in shared community interests

• support the development of culture-proud ESEA leaders by offering grants and wellbeing-focused leadership programmes

• provide safer spaces for ESEAs to rest in joy and connect with like-minded individuals

• use our website and social media platforms to celebrate #ESEAjoy and amplify ESEA-led grassroots initiatives

Stories of Our Heritage

Jun 2022
Learn more about the event here.