About 20 years ago at an ECH volunteer activity, a few strangers were connected and developed family-like relationships, spanning over the years and across different regions. An “Elder Sister” nurtured four young boys’ growth with blessings from heart to heart.
Become a Volunteer with Boundless Love
ears ago, Joanne was a member of EFCC – Woot Chuen Church. Dedicated to becoming a volunteer and serving the community, she is full of love. In the past, she trained her own puppies to become dog doctors. They had been serving elderly homes and hospitals for over 8-10 years. In 2003, after a charity walk organized by Evangel Children’s Home, Joanne took the initiative to offer volunteer services to the children. The social worker at the time (now the social work supervisor) – Joe arranged two pairs of little brothers under the age of 10 (including Ah Yin and Ah Wai) be mentored by Joanne and implemented an “Elder Sister Plan”. Out of expectation, this arrangement connected these few strangers and created family-like and boundless care thereafter.
In the 2003 ECH charity walk, Joanne participated with her beloved dogs.
Life Nurturing and Selfless Companionship
Joanne has a bright personality which makes her appropriate to be a caregiver of boys. She hopes to accompany these children with the love of Christ and influence these little lives with her life experience. At that time, Joanne worked in a commercial firm. She brought snacks to the children’s home and chit chat with the little brothers at her spare time. At the beginning, she did find it hard to look for some common topics to kick-start a conversation. Nevertheless, she accompanied and listened patiently and carefully. Gradually she opened up the little brothers’ inner world, sharing their sorrow and joy. She will not forget the time she was invited to be a boy’s guardian and met his teacher at school. Joanne found these kids kind-hearted. Occasionally, she applied to take them out for a movie, or go hiking and stretch their body and mind. All these were wonderful experiences to the little brothers
A Relative with No Blood Relations
After these little brothers left the children’s home at the age of 18, Joanne continued to communicate with the four boys who became young men and exchanged greetings. Seeing that they were not self-reliant right away, she devoted herself and bought suitable home appliances for them. Even at one of the boys’ life event – the wedding day, she was asked to be formal witness of the wedding. This showed that even though they have no blood relationship, they shared the same family-like relationship. What comforted her most was watching them grow up and becoming loving and responsible adults. Some got married and even gave birth to the next generation, inheriting the love of Christ.
Boundless Care Brought up Doctoral Student
In recent years, Joanne emigrated overseas. Thanks to the internet, their communication never stopped at her fingertips. One of the big boys, “Ah Wai” is now a doctoral candidate in nutritional studies at a Taiwan University. All these achievements did not happen by chance. Great thanks to the irrigation from all aspects with love so that little saplings can grow into big trees and benefit the community.
This kind of invisible relationship does not require too much verbal communication. Companionship with heart brings out the most sincere dedication and care.
Few years ago, Joanne originally planned to meet “Ah Wai” in Taiwan, but the two unexpectedly met at the Hong Kong airport.
Joanne visited HK and made a special trip to reunite with members of ECH.
From left to right: Ms. Law (Superintendent), Joanne, Joe (Social Work Supervisor) and Calvin (Deputy Superintendent)
