Manager – Page 4 – 播道兒童之家

Events09/05/202318/05/2023

Moving Forward to S.E.N. 3.0 – Integrated Day Care Service- Past, Present and Future

Looking back on this integrated Day Care and support services for primary students with special education needs (SEN), it is regarded as comprehensive and targeted. This service includes one-stop care and holistic development, inter-disciplinary early intervention, support for children and parents and network building. In the 2022-23 annual survey, satisfaction level of each score reaches 98%. This plan effectively improves the abilities and performances of SEN children in various aspects. It realizes their potential, promotes parent-child relationship and relieves the pressure of caregivers.

Evangel Children’s Home (ECH) has been committed to providing child care for “high-risk” families and preventing problems from worsening. Looking back at the beginning of the Millennium, this service was in high demand. If the assisted families could receive appropriate community support, there will be high chance avoiding their children to be admitted to residential service. Such scarce capacity could be reserved for more “high-risk” families. Thus this non-government-funded day care service came into being and became a pioneer in the sector.

Original Aspiration of the Service

Initially, Day Care service took care of primary students from grassroots, single parents or newcomers to HK. Some parents had to work long hours or on shifts, leading to lack of care for their children. This service responded to these needs by operating extra-long time – 365 days a year from 8am to 10pm. Parents could work with peace of mind when their children were properly cared for. The center also provides parent seminars, support and counseling which strengthen family effectiveness and help these families to help themselves. This service achieved remarkable results and the demand was ever-increasing until 2015 when the Social Welfare Department provided Enhanced After-school Care Program in various districts.

Service Change for SEN Children

At that time, many children admitted to our residential home or Day Care service were diagnosed with Special Education Needs (SEN). It then prompted our services to finetune. Since general community care service may not provide professional care for SEN children, if the situation is not properly handled, it may lead to family crisis. In 2018, we developed a comprehensive service of “S.E.N. – Shine· Empower· Network” which takes care of SEN primary students and supports their families. We are grateful for the continuous support and matching donations from the business sector and the Partnership Fund for the Disadvantaged. The 3 year pandemic did not interrupt this service. With the addition of a Sensory Integration room in 2022, we hope that the business sector can donate again and join hands in this charitable deed. Let us move forward from S.E.N. 2.0 to 3.0 and serve more families in need.

Parents’ Responses to S.E.N. 2.0 Survey

*Parent 1: “S.E.N. 2.0 allows children to develop comprehensively both physically and mentally. Classes such as social skills, speech and sensory integration enhance children’s communication skills, stabilize emotions and they become happier.”

*Parent 2: “In the past, I used to struggle with my son for his homework and self-care. After participating in SEN 2.0, he can finish homework by segment in time, automatically and consciously tidy up his bed and clothes, take meals and clean up by himself. My family is more harmonious now.”

*Parent 3: “In addition to daily life training, children can study intensively in a safe environment. The after-school activities here allow them to broaden knowledge, strengthen self-confidence, interact with others, connect and collaborate. The Bible class teaches them to have empathy and accept each other. Parent workshops help relieves parenting stress.”

*Parent 4: “Training a few days in a week effectively improved the children’s discipline, perseverance and persistence. Thanks to the tutors who answered parents’ questions like friends and saved the whole family from difficult situations. I hope there will be extended services for SEN children who progress to secondary school.

Overcoming Life’s Greatest Difficulties with Daniel’s Family

Primary student Daniel’s mother needed cancer treatment. Daniel’s father could not spare the needed time to take care of him. Fortunately, they learnt about ECH Day Care services for children. ECH considered their emergency situation and referred Day Care service for Daniel to cope with his homework and extended meal arrangements. Daniel’s mother thanked ECH for the quick support to solve the family’s urgent needs. Under the care of ECH, Daniel is grateful to the service and cherishes his beloved family and friends.

Daniel’s family presented testimony in ECH Thanksgiving Worship

We are family focused, children oriented, and community-based. Through Day Care services, we support SEN children and family caregivers in an all-rounded way and strengthen family effectiveness. Families with difficulties derive various parent-child and parenting issues, in addition SEN children have special learning needs, their difficulties are indescribable. The support from all parties motivates us to move forward to S.E.N. 3.0

Supporter Stories28/02/202318/05/2023

《Unchanging Love》– Houseparent Dorcus

Dorcus’s idea of joining residential home care service stemmed from an orphanage described in a Japanese cartoon back in the 70’s. Her bright smile and majestic voice became her signature here. She loves to take care of children, just like she took care of 4 younger siblings when she was young. In ten years, this “Big Sister” has taken care of dozens of “siblings”, what’s unchanging is love.

Changes in 10 years

Dorcus is a member of the Evangelical Church. She has heard about Evangel Children’s Home (ECH) for a long time. Full of fantasies in her mind on how the main cartoon character grew up strong in the orphanage “Bonnie’s House”, she also hopes to raise up the children in ECH. She became a full-time houseparent after serving as a volunteer. This change was a big challenge to her. Looking back on those 5 years, she said, “There were endless works here.” Working on shifts also distanced her from relatives and friends. She started to question if this job is really suitable for her. She left here and trained handicapped adults in Hong Kong and the Mainland China. After a while, she returned Hong Kong to take of her elderly parents. At the same time, an ex-colleague suggested she rejoined this big family. Since she loves children, she had decided to come back and serve primary school girls again. Another five years gone by.

Memorable group photo including ECH founder, Ms. Ruth Sundquist (back row 3rd from left) and Dorcus (front row 3rd from right)

Happy time with the children she took care of at their childhood

Unconditional Love

This time, Dorcus found that there were more children with Special Education Needs (SEN). Based on her past experience, she gained new insights into raising up children. In the past, she trained children against her own standards. Now she places more emphasis on discovering the children’s potentials and giving specific instructions. “Schooling is not only about chasing after grades.” She pays more attention to whether the children are trying their best or being sloppy. This change brought her closer to the children. In fact, learning is not limited to the children only. Dorcus realizes that God sent her to serve here so she can grow and change. Through these children, she sees God’s unconditional love. Sometimes she asked God, “Have you also tolerated me like this?”

Giving and Returning Love

Even though the children sometimes exhausted Dorcus physically and mentally, some of their actions also moved her. She remembered when she first came back, there were lots of adaptations and changes. Seeing that she was busy, a quiet girl came to her and said, “Dorcus, I know you are suffering with loads of work”, then the girl went out. Unknowingly, tears ran down her face. Another stubborn girl who could hold a grudge for two hours became friendly with her after two years. Dorcus was curious and asked why, the girl replied: “Because I feel loved, then I can change.” The dialogues with true feelings reflect that the children can feel the care of houseparent and give back, thus healing both parties.

Houseparent Dorcus encounters new challenges every day in face of the children with problems of broken families, special education needs, emotional instability and behavioral issues. In addition to the training in knowledge, skills and experience, she also strives to care for children based on the unchanging love of Christ.

Dorcus realized that God punishes human but He only deals with their behavior, and does not hate that person. When children challenge her, she constantly reminds herself that she may not like their behavior, but everyone is lovable in the image of God. This has become her greatest learning.

Youth Stories18/01/202318/05/2023

《I Believe – Brighter Days are Ahead》– Chloe

Came from a broken family, Chloe (alias) was arranged to stay in children’s home due to domestic violence. In her childhood, she was often resentful but did not know how to express. At one time, she was so depressed she lingered on the street and became a “street kid”. She was then referred to Evangel Children’s Home and her second life began for a brighter future.

Scars of Childhood Trauma

Chloe’s father passed away when she was in P.4 or P.5, thus becoming a single-parent family. Her family was quite patriarchal and the mental state of a family member was unstable, making it difficult to live together. Then she rather lingered on the street and became a “street kid”. She was alienated from her original family but was closer to her maternal half-siblings. In one family dispute, domestic violence sparked off. Fortunately, her teacher and school social worker intervened and she was urgently arranged to live in a small group home. Yet the unpleasant experience there led her lose faith in others. After that, she was referred to Evangel Children’s Home (ECH) and a new chapter began.

A New Home Full of Love

Chloe moved into ECH at her age of 15. She was grateful to a few house parents who cared about her, whom she could pour out her heart, who gave clear guidelines to rewards and punishments and were trustworthy. Passionate in art, Chloe learnt Zentangle art and playing drums in ECH. She loves singing and painting which helped her express her emotions. In the house gathering and regular prayer sessions, she gained deeper and mutual understanding of the other girls and encouraged each other. She was deeply impressed in a corporate volunteer activity when she handmade soap for a charity sale. From making, packaging, transporting to the sale, she devoted herself to the whole process. She took courage to sell them to the people around. They visited the corporate work environment after the sale. It was a good experience to her.

Knowing Herself and Plan for the Future

Chloe described herself as sentimental and only reports good news to others. In fact, her wounded heart is still aching and the unfair treatment of the original family still exists. Despite all these, she still hopes to do something for her family, be a “peacemaker” to mediate family disputes. To prepare for the future, ECH lined up a summer intern job for her at J-Hub – a hub for HK Jewelry Industry. Both the masters and staff were willing to teach her. Later, she enrolled in Tertiary Education of Art and Jewelry Design. She also worked as a part-time in ECH at the same time. Although the workload was quite heavy and the demand was high, it was very challenging. These include preparing and participating in various celebrations for the 65th anniversary of ECH. She took part in performing the 65th anniversary theme song and making of the MV with singer – Ms. Jade Kwan and the other residents, which became unforgettable memories here. The theme song lyrics represent her heart and soul. “I believe there will definitely be one day that I can fly up high to the wide blue sky”.

Fly High with Hope

After leaving residential home at the age of 18, Chloe transitioned into ECH Youth Home and received pre-employment training and plan for her future life. She plans to rent out with her friends after she has enough savings. For future careers, she hopes it will relate to arts and will educate the younger generations. She is willing to be a volunteer, contribute to ECH and side-by-side accompany the new generations here.

The all-rounded care of our residential home helped heal the broken heart of Chloe, allowing her to take root in this stable “Home”, transformed a street kid into a multi-talented young lady, equipped her to move forward bravely and fly with her dreams.

Youth Stories10/11/202218/05/2023

《Walking with My Shadow》- Mia

Lacking family care since childhood, residential youth Mia (alias) pushed through adversity with her strong will. In face of a broken family and the alienation from family members, she no longer depends on her own. With intervention of social workers who helped her transit to self-reliance, she worked extra hard for the future.

Child Neglect cut off Communication

Born in the Mainland, Mia learnt self-care on food, clothing, going to school and homework when she was young, because her single-parent mother was very busy: sometimes for work and sometimes for fun. It turned out that her Mom and Dad were never married. Instead of single parent, they were actually unmarried.

One day, Mia’s mother suddenly brought her to Hong Kong when she was still in primary school. After some struggle, they finally settled down and started a new life. However, some bad habits of Mia’s mother affected their daily lives resulting in negligence to her. The two cannot communicate well since then. Her mother was sometimes emotionally unstable and sanctioned her economically. She tried different ways to prevent her from attending school, thus arousing the attention of the teachers.

Breaking the Deadlock Proactively

The relationship with her family was broken down. Mia began to think about escaping from this predicament. She wanted to find her own direction and get rid of the invisible shackles. During high school, she began to seek assistance from the school social worker. After assessment, she was arranged to live in a youth home where she could focus on further studies and a transition to an independent life. In order to realize her dreams, she worked very hard and made progress. She was successfully admitted to nursing school of a university.

Mia needs a part-time job to be self-sufficient and to commit academic internship at the same time, so she has to manage her time well. It happened that Mia was born with toe deformities. She had undergone multiple surgeries when she was young, leading to amputation of some toes which made her weak in balancing. To make it worse, she had to stand for a long time during internship which caused foot pain and affected her work and performance.

Comprehensive Support Services

Fortunately, ECH youth home provides comprehensive support services. With the help from various parties, Mia no longer fights alone. 3R plan* supported by The Hongkong Bank Foundation through a donation to The Community Chest of Hong Kong provides medical and counseling services. After referral by Youth Home supervisor and evaluated by 3R family doctor, Mia was referred to 3R physiotherapy for follow-up. Her foot pain was relieved. She continues to work part-time and practice in hospital so she could prepare for rental and the future. At the same time, ECH also provides resources through sponsors to support residents who are college/university students, to subsidize their living expenses and scholarships, so as to alleviate the urgent need under the Covid pandemic.

When Mia is asked if she will talk to her mother, she firmly declines. Facing the estranged relationship and the harm caused by the original family, her reaction is understandable. We hope that as the years go by, Mia can find the most suitable lifestyle for herself and start an enriching second life.

*3R plan – Right Care, Right Time & Right Team Project

65th Anniversary20/12/202220/12/2022

播道兒童之家65周年主題曲 MV –《日出過山車》關心妍 x 女宿生主唱

播道兒童之家孩子經歷創傷，透過幫助，療癒劇痛。65周年主題曲以過山車比喻人生經歷高低起跌，憑勇氣和同行者支持，心靈轉化，越過障礙，最後「如鷹高飛」，衝破黑暗，「日出衝破夜晚」。義教孩子唱歌的妍亮生命慈善基金創辦人關心妍，與孩子主唱《日出過山車》，鼓勵他們要有夢想、衝破萬難，迎接生命的每一個挑戰。相信有愛，便會有奇蹟。願愛燃亮更多希望，孩子能安穩成長，「成為擎天楝樑，弱勢變剛強」，迎看「日出璀璨耀眼」。

製作走過高山低谷

籌辦主題曲音樂短片(MV)確實困難重重，製作團隊拍攝過程經歷「過山車」般的考驗。原來天氣也像「過山車」一樣，但憑鬥志排除萬難，禱告交託，最後看到美好的成果。

妍亮生命同行培育

題曲由關心妍與宿生真情演繹，特別有意義。關心妍姐姐分享:「義務教孩子唱歌，是希望將上帝給我的恩賜延續。或孩子將來想做音樂或做歌手，藉一齊錄音及拍MV的過程，她們可以感受相關工作，是很好的經驗。相信孩子有不同的恩賜，可以得到發揮。」。

音樂人用心之作

音樂2000總監 Bobo Mark 及團隊為播道兒童之家創作曲詞，演繹孩子真實的故事，充滿激勵。Bobo Mark自小在播道會恩泉堂長大，他從以往不懂音樂至以音樂事奉30年，見證上帝在每人生命中自有奇妙的作為。能創作《日出過山車》全是恩典，他希望藉這主題曲勉勵同路人不需介意自己的出身，要正面些，因為人生就像過山車，將來會往那裏去是不知道的。