繁
Give Monthly Online
繁
Give Monthly Online
Donate Now

Category: Events

Events

“A Severe 5th Wave Pandemic” – A Tough Battle Against Covid-19

The fifth wave pandemic swept all over Hong Kong and our children’s home was in deep water. A total of 22 children, youths and staff were tested positive. We are grateful to get over this battle with peace even at the precarious stage. Our staff standby each other and protect this Home against the pandemic.

Start of the New Wave

Our organization is located in the middle of the infected area of Wong Tai Sin. In early Feb, after everyone passed the compulsory nucleic acid test, we started to use rapid antigen tests for early identification of infected residents or staff. This preventive measure proactively stopped anyone with symptoms from returning to this Home.

Challenges of On-site Quarantine

Inevitably, the virus struck on us. On Feb 18, after the “Pandemic Response Measure Meeting”, our staff reported 3 residential children and 1 day care child tested positive. With fear and precaution, we immediately launched the highest-level contingency measure in order to quickly stop the spread of viruses inside our Home.  As Hong Kong was at the peak of the pandemic, quarantine facilities became insufficient and public health care system was collapsing. Apart from arranging voluntary online medical consultation by our honorary consultant doctor, we quickly implemented on-site quarantine, separated children that were confirmed as infected, close contacts, returned from short term home leave and other children into four different zones, and took care of them separately. Even if they had to be moved from one place to another, they did not make any complaint. All children were required to stay at our Home during quarantine period. Every day, we have to do rapid tests as prevention of outbreak and safeguard the health of the children.

United as One to Fight the Pandemic

In the severe pandemic, 8 children, 2 youths and 12 staff have been infected successively. Our organization has to maintain 24-hour residential and youth home services for more than 100 children and youth, and face the unprecedented challenges. How we should take care of the children in different zones, deliver meals, continue online classes, conduct rapid tests and monitoring, arrange medical consultation, protect and disinfect the area, all these increased the workload and psychological pressure of our staff. Thanks to different departments, frontline house parents, supporting staff, etc. for safeguarding in their positions and help each other. There were social workers who took up night duties at consecutive nights, relief staff who risked and worked in the forefront.  In face of extreme shortage of manpower due to their illnesses, the superintendent and social workers personally took care of the children. Thankfully, although confirmed cases were found in different care units, they happened at different time. Under the situation of extreme manpower shortage, everyone confronted the challenges head-on.

Take Care of Children’s Emotions

Under the pandemic, children need to stay inside our Home, take online and make up lessons. Some extracurricular activities could only be carried out to a limited extent or moved online. To our children, especially those with special educational needs, staying focused could be a big challenge. House parents not only look after the children’s daily living, protect them from infection and teach them self-care, they also care about their emotional stress due to the pandemic. “Beibei” (alias) – one of the children tested positive and recovered, recalled that she used to co-live in a group and felt lonely when isolated during quarantine. Fortunately, social workers and house parents kept chatting with her and cheered her up.

Despite the difficult process of the fight against this pandemic, the patient care and fearlessness of our staff, the implementation of preventive measures by all staff, compounded by the care and donations of all the kind-hearted supporters, united as a fortress, our organization peacefully overcome this tough battle against the pandemic.

Events

“A Severe 5th Wave Pandemic” – Thankful for Timely Donations with Love

Hong Kong has no choice but to face the raging 5th wave of COVID-19. We are grateful for the timely assistance from kind-hearted donors and organizations. Your kind donations replied our urgent funding needs. Your donations in-kind safeguard the residential children and staff so they can fight the virus with peace of mind. Our organization is deeply grateful. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

Since mid-February, the market was short of protective items and people were panicky. Thanks to many kind people and organizations for donating the needed items and monetary contributions, including rapid test kits, highly protective masks, protective clothing, etc. We can also acquire new beds for isolation and more protective gears at the right time with your selfless love. All staff can perform rapid tests before going to work. Children and youth can use them immediately when necessary. Everyone takes precautions to protect the health of our children. We are now better equipped to face the attack of the virus, even when the children have no choice but to stay isolated at the designated rooms. Moreover, our honorary consulting doctor also volunteered video consultation and helped us overcome the illness.

Evangel Children’s Home has been committed to supporting the healthy growth of orphans, children and youth from broken families or families with difficult background. Residential children are more helpless in face of this 5th wave of pandemic. Our organization provides 24 hour services with our devoted hearts. Many of our service program and operation expenses are non-government funded and supported by kind donors. At this difficult time, boundless loving care shines upon us with your kind support.

Donation methods: https://www.ech.org.hk/en/support-us/donation-methods

Let’s fight the virus together!

Events

“Paddling Upstream for Dreams” – Wong Cho Lam to Cheer up Homeless Youth

Evangelical Children’s Home and Rotary District 3450 launched the “Break the Wave Program – Rotary and Homeless Youth” for the 18-year-old homeless youth, and jointly held the “Paddling Upstream for Dreams” Sharing Session on November 17. This is to encourage homeless Youth to muster up courage to overcome difficulties, go upstream and set sails for dreams.

Wong Cho Lam’s sharing – “Upstream of Life “

At the “Paddling Upstream for Dreams” Sharing Session, Wong Cho Lam shared his own background and experience in overcoming barriers at bad times to cheer up the homeless youth. He encouraged them to stand firm and never give up in seeking for their dreams against adverse situations. Students were encouraged to work hard to plan for their future.

Wong Cho Lam remarked frankly that he could “never imagine” whether he could succeed or not when he was young. He only believed in moving towards his goals and dreams step by step. Whatever job opportunity or role he had taken, he sticked to his motto of “Try my best, but prepare for the worst”, and to work hard. Even though he failed, he would never be discouraged and give up.

He believed that young people are like the seeds, while the soil, sunshine and water nurturing its growth could be the encountering with people, friends, frustrations and the self-reflection. He also believed that even encountering barriers like “countering current”, there could always be a way out to “break the wave”. As long as we learned to “just take it easy” and “relax to see where the current would take us, maybe surprisingly, it would bring us to the downstream again.”

Wong Cho Lam’s sharing – “Upstream of Life “

The organizer: Evangel Children’s Home and Rotary District 3450 representatives joined together with honorable guest, Mr. Wong Cho Lam, to cheer for the homeless youth.
From left: Dr. Eric Chin, PDG of Rotary District 3450, Ms. Vivian Law, Superintendent of Evangel Children’s Home, Mr. Law Kai Hong, Vice Chairman of Board of Directors of Evangel Children’s Home, Wong Cho Lam, Honored Guest, Ms. Bee Chan, the Founding President of Rotary Club of Braemar Hill and the Organizing Committee Chairman of the “Break the Wave Program – Rotary and Homeless Youth”.

Homeless Youth Personal Stories

The sharing guests also included Manci Man, the founder of M PATISSERIE in making art cakes and she was brought up from children home, Siu Yue Ming, a youth beneficiary of Evangel Children’s Home, “Flying Star” and “Strong Baby”, graduates of HKCC and also aging out youth from children’s homes. Singer-songwriter Chaelia Wong also sang for the event the theme song.

Even if you fail to “win at the starting line”, it does not mean that you will always be behind. As long as you have a goal, are willing to kick start, and put in the greatest perseverance and effort, you can finally start a second new life and create your own future.

The Youth Home social worker provided Yue Ming with counseling and career planning service, from which he understood, better him. He was given a chance to complete his studies and finally found a stable job.
Manci Man, who is brought up from children home always says. “It is because of my early childhood experience that helps develop me to the current stage”.
“Flying Star” and “Strong Baby”, graduates of HKCC and also aging out youth from children’s homes, encouraged young people to strive for self-improvement and muster up courage facing difficulties and adversity.
“Break the Wave…, say the slogan, together”
Singer-songwriter Chaelia composed and sang the theme song – “Drifting Log” for the seminar.
Events

“Ignite Vision for your life” – Evangel Children’s Home “2nd Chance in Life – Youth Ministry” Kick-off Ceremony

The service for “Youth from Children’s Home” has been operated for ten years!

In response to the rapid changes in society, Evangel Children’s Home launched the “Youth Discipleship” to guide the understanding of the gospel. On November 10th, the “2nd Chance in Life – Youth Ministry” kick-off ceremony was held at CityLab in Jordan. Dr. Choi Yuen Wan, the President of “Youth Global Network”, Rev. Kenneth Sheck Kin Law, General Secretary of “Evangelical Free Church of China”, were the officiating guests with sharing sessions. At the event, eight elements of what the youth would need to kick start for a second new life stepping into the society were highlighted namely, knowledge, career development, gospel, connection, hope, residency, walking together, and funding.  These are as important as 8 glasses of water needed by a body.  A cup of cold water seems trivial, but with the support of different parties, the joint effort can help the youth from children’s home to tide over the difficulties.

The officiating guests and the youth from Children’s Home kicked off the ceremony
(From left in the back row: Mr. Calvin Yip, Vice Superintendent of Evangel Children’s Home, Mr. Lo Kam Wah, MH, JP, Vice Chairman of Board of Directors of Evangel Children’s Home, Rev. Cheung Chung Ming, Consultant Pastor of Evangel Children’s Home, Rev. Kenneth Sheck Kin Law, General Secretary of “Evangelical Free Church of China”, Dr. Choi Yuen Wan, the President of “Youth Global Network”, Mr. Law Kai Hong, Vice Chairman of Board of Directors of Evangel Children’s Home, Rev. Lam Wai Chun, E.F.C.C. Tung Fook Kowloon East Church, Ms. Vivian Law, Superintendent of Evangel Children’s Home)
Rev. Kenneth Sheck Kin Law shared an important message at the kick-off ceremony, “Do you know how important you are?” He quoted the movie – The Lion King and reminded the youth that, “every youngster is a noble, the princess or prince in the Kingdom of God”. Evangel Children’s Home brings to God, the youth who are being neglected and without family support. Through 1 Peter 2:9, Pastor Law encouraged everyone to keep faithful in the chaotic times of today, seize the opportunity to work hard in spreading the gospel.
Dr. Choi Yuen Wan said that he had always been admiring the work of the Evangel Children’s Home, because there were many young people who seemed to have homes but did not really have family support. Evangel Children’s Home has been providing these children with living and spiritual support. “2nd Chance in Life – Youth Ministry” is a service that truly walks with young people. Through guidance in life and faith, young people can find a “home”. When young people are blessed, they will also bring blessings to others in the future. Therefore, Dr. Choi called on all parties to donate and to contribute in supporting the ministry.
Rev. Cheung Chung Ming and Yung Ming, the youth beneficiary

In the face of adversity in early childhood, children of the residential home have no choice of their born background of their “First Life”. With the support and the shepherding, they can be helped to kick start and advance themselves for a “second life”.  The ministry strives to provide transitional residence and co-living services to assist “Home Youth” in planning their careers; lead the experience of the gospel calling to gain abundance of life; through diversified training, nurture their growth and improve their social and professional skills, and enter the journey of discipleship. , Rev. Cheung Chung Ming, Consultant Pastor of Evangel Children’s Home said: “The “Christian Education Course” to be open is to support the “Home Youth” to bear fruit and build a “purposeful” life. The ministry connects with the Christian community network and practices “walking together, connecting and caring” so that young people can go to collaborated churches and continue to grow in “spiritual homes.”

 “Home Youth” Testimony Sharing

Leo and Kit, who lived in Evangel Children’s Home before shared about the trauma they had been suffered from their born family when they were growing up. They were grateful to God for the opportunity to learn about the gospel at Evangel Children’s Home; With God’s love, their lives had been changed. Leo finally mended the relationship with his father, while Kit overcame unknown fears, accepted God’s dispatch, and inherited the Lord’s love.

The pastors and mentors of the E.F.C.C. Tung Fook Kowloon East Church have been walked with the “Home Youth” for ten years, witnessing their growth under the love and guidance of God
Cheers for the “Home Youth”!
Events

Seminar on “18-year-old Homeless Youth in Difficult Transition” – Support the Swaying Pillar

The seminar was successfully held on October 27, 2017. More than 150 people attended that day, and 70% of them came from the residential care field. Participants concerned about both the needs and the anxiety faced by the youth aging out from the residential homes. 

The results of the homeless youth research report were announced at the meeting, covering 10 areas, including: 1) Career Development, 2) Facing the Future, 3) Personal Grow-up Experience, 4) Barriers in Life, 5) Personal Needs, 6) Influences of Family, 7 ) Influence of School, 8) Peer Group Relationship, 9) The Role of Children’s  or Youth Home, 10) Social Service & Support, and analyzed the respondents’ expectations for future development. Guest speakers from different sectors shared the social collaboration, government resources allocation, and how to break through the resources deficiency, and how to work with homeless youth as life mentors, and analyzed and understood the needs of these youth from a dimension of different perspectives. (Download the Summary of the Research Report)     (Download the Full Text of the Research Report)

These youth experienced adverse impacts on personal growth and family difficulties, causing physical and mental barriers. Lacking of financial and spiritual support from families, they bear more burdens than others, and the anxiety and fear brought about made us more concerned about them.

The “2nd Chance in Life – Transitional Youth Sponsorship Program” developed by Evangel Children’s Home included the “Youth Home Outreach Program”, “Life Planning, Career Development and Internship Program”, “Workplace Mentor”, and “Mentorship and Life Coaching” program, “Continuous Education Scholarships” and “Professional Training Fund”. These are to support the youth in difficulties to further their studies, transit for independent living with transitional residence and employment, and enhance the upward moving, giving themselves a second chance in life.

We are convinced that these young people are youthful, energetic and precious in the eyes of God.  Hoping that church leaders and youth pastors would share also the vision and mission, walk with them, and help them become pillars of our society in the future.

Join us to Support the Program by:

  • Offering low rental Community Co-Living Housing
  • Offering internships and employment
  • Participating in the “Mentorship and Life Coaching” project
  • Donating funds to develop the homeless youth
  • Donating for “Continuous Education Scholarships” and “Professional Training Fund”