Youngsters do not know what sadness is? Youth staying in children’s home have to think about housing, livelihood, independent living and other issues before the age of 18, and their growth is accelerated all at once.
Kenny (alias) used to be taken care of by his grandma and lived a carefree live. He was arranged to stay in the children’s home about the time of junior high, when grandma was too old to look after him due to her old age. In this new Home, he had to learn to do housework and self-care. He accepted it silently with a sense of responsibility.
Boyhood Days
Kenny was looked after by his grandma since he was a child, and he had no impression of his parents at all. Life in this new Home was an eye-opener. Among the many activities, he liked hiking, especially the night walks, camping and sunrise watching activities at the end of year. Although it was tough, each time he successfully saw the sunrise, he felt a sense of achievement. In addition, he was impressed at the first time he participated in the “Man vs. Wild” – a field activity that tested physical fitness and courage. Kenny remembered that in one of the challenges they had to work in pairs and walk between two cliffs with one belt. He learnt that it takes courage to initiate the first step and come out of his comfort zone in order to succeed, and it is very important and a great help to have someone around and support each other.
Home is where the heart belongs
Kenny has an easy-going personality and everyone around him is willing to help. After he aged out of the children’s home to pursue further education, he still came back to work as a part-time tutor. This time, he takes care of young children like an elder brother. He realizes that the younger generation is different from his past and they have various needs. Nevertheless, he feels each generation has its own way of happiness.
Independent Living
Before any youth leaves the children’s home, social worker will assist with decisions on transitional arrangements such as housing, further education and work. Kenny is rather introverted, passive and goes with the flow. Under careful coordination of the social worker, he finally made up his mind to be a full-time student specializing in pharmacy. Firstly, it is his interest. Secondly, he was encouraged by the social worker. He wants to join the medical and nursing profession, and contribute to society in the future. With this goal in mind, he actively puts it into action. He allocates his time appropriately on studying and doing part-time job. After leaving this Home, he successfully moved into public housing, and gets support from a close relative.
The Strongest Backing
Always peaceful and quiet, Kenny is most reluctant to bid farewell to the comfortable life in high school, the boyhood days he spent with a group of housemates and the hot dishes from the dorm kitchen. Compared to living alone now, it seems a bit deserted. During leisure time, he loves reading and will go back to help at the children’s home. Evangel Children’s Home is like a big warm family. “Family members” look after, support and encourage each other, thus it becomes his strongest backing.
