Please donate Red Packet to send blessings to our vulnerable children of Residential Care Service and ignite hope.
Leaping into the year of Dragon, the program helps improve the education and quality of living for those children beneficiaries who come from broken families or families with difficult background, helping them to thrive.
You can help a child in need with only HK$3.3 per day!
Please donate and become a sponsor to support the living of a child. It can be $100 or above for each child per month and sponsor the child for at least one year. More than one child can be sponsored. (According to your will and ability, welcome to donate and support multiple children at the same time. )
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 andconsciously 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
《日出過山車》 is a mind-refreshing MV that speaks out the voices of our children. Founder of the Shining Life Ltd – Ms. Jade Kwan, volunteered to support and lead ECH girls to sing. Life is like a roller coaster. With courage, supporter’s companionship and spiritual transformation, they could finally “soaring high like an eagle” and see hope with “sunrise that breaks through the night”. Jade and ECH girls personally expressed their true feelings through the lyrics. Hope that the audiences can also feel the positive energy.
Theme Song 【MV】《日出過山車》Must-see!Brings you Mind-refreshing Inspiration!
The pain of traumatized children can be healed after help. Wish that the children can grow up steadily and “become pillars of tomorrow and the weak become strong”. In the next stage of their “2nd chance in life”, they will see “dazzling sunrise”.
Accompany and Nurture Jade Volunteer to Teach the Children
Thankful that Jade already started accompanying ECH children since 2017. She volunteered to teach them singing and nurtured a group of youngsters who were interested in joining the singing career. This time, she even sang and recorded the MV with ECH girls and be their role model. Jade watched them grow up and felt their youthful stamina. They are like her sisters and this is heart-warming. Jade encourages children to have dreams and direction, and believe in love. Then miracles will happen. They can overcome all difficulties and embrace every challenge in life. She shared, “I experienced various difficulties in my life. But only with God, I can soar like an eagle.”
Ups and Downs in the Preparation Process
It was a difficult process with ups and downs in preparing the theme song. Thanks to Music 2000, Eternity Music Ministry, and Ms. Jade Kwan – founder of the Shining Life Ltd who volunteered to support, dedicated in producing, performing and supporting.
Through the lyrics, the team conveyed a life like a “roller coaster” ride in front and behind the scenes. Going through the highs and lows in life, they experienced all kinds of difficulties. With will power and perseverance, the results are finally seen.
Miracles Happened Again and Again
Lawrence, the MV director was particularly impressed by the 3-day filming process. In face of the challenges of wind and rain, miracles happened again and again. It was raining on the day of shooting outdoor. At the shooting location, Tate’s Cairn was very foggy. Not only the Tate’s Cairn Meteorological Station was invisible, they almost lost their way. While shooting on the muddy hills in the fog, the girls slipped down one by one. Nevertheless, the director appreciated that they continued very cooperatively. When the clouds and fog slowly scattered, sunny sceneries appeared. He was overwhelmed with gratitude and admiration. Within a few hours, the weather also fluctuated like riding on a “roller coaster”. Under the clear sky, some girls almost suffered heat stroke after running up to the hilltop. Big thanks especially to the hard work of ECH team. The shooting can be completed satisfactorily.
Performing Girls – Sharing from Hiu Tung and Jo
Hiu Tung felt that recording was a big challenge that required high standard. She worried that her articulation or intonation was not as good and might affect the end result. So she was very nervous. However, the more nervous she was, the worse she could sing. The producer therefore taught her to relax then she could sing well. She is thankful for this opportunity.
Jo remembered that it was very foggy on the day of outdoor shooting. With blessings, the fog finally dispersed. Thanks to the boys who took part in the filming, their legs were sunburned (like the color of a lobster) due to previous activities but they still tried their best. It was more difficult to go downhill than to go uphill. She needed help from others. Although they have gone through periods of drizzling rain, scorching Sun and feelings like riding on a “roller coaster”, all is worth after taking pictures of the beautiful sceneries at the end. Thank all for the hard work. Especially thank Jade for teaching and recording together which adds color to the MV.
ECH superintendent Ms. Vivian Law praised the participating children for overcoming all difficulties. She hoped that the children would understand that “one minute on stage needs ten years of hard work off the stage”.
Social work supervisor Mr. Joe Fok shared that the children did experience paths of wandering life in former days. Just like the lyrics “being lonely and dazed, bearing sorrows and joys, gatherings and separations since childhood”. They found footholds in ECH. Arrived at a “temporary harbor where they could take a breath in the wind and rain”, hope they can walk out of the pain through our services.
It was very meaningful that the girls themselves lived out the lyrics and performed in the MV.
Let us “walk through the highs and lows” and feel the positive energy of 《日出過山車》. Please donate to support ECH services and ignite hope:
Ms. Jade Kwan not only volunteered to teach our children singing, she also attended ECH annual award ceremony as an award presenter and sang the 65th anniversary theme song – 《日出過山車》on stage together with the performing girls’ team as encouragement and experience building. Everyone was excited in the encore section. In the ceremony, children were awarded for their achievements in academic, character building, social interaction and living skills. Let us board on the 65th anniversary ECH “Grace Train” – the theme of the event and give thanks for the blessed journey of over 65 years.
Ms. Jade Kwan of Shining Life Limited presented awards to children and youth who participated in the shooting of the 65th anniversary theme song 《日出過山車》music video. We look forward to the premiere on Oct 22.
“I hope to extend my talent from God by volunteering to teach the children singing. These youngsters may pursue a career in music or singing. Through the process of recording the ECH 65th anniversary theme song in the studio and shooting the music video, they can build experience and get in touch with related works. I believe every child is gifted and can unleash talents”, said Jade. Jade even presented the ECH 65th anniversary theme song 《日出過山車》with the performing girls’ team at the ceremony.
The children handmade little planet of《日出過山車》 as appreciation of Jade‘s contribution. This gift depicts the ups and downs our children have gone through in life. Now they have boarded the ECH “Grace Train”. Thank Jade for brightening their lives. The illuminated planet represents part of the theme song lyrics, that the sunrise casts away dark nights and hope is in sight.
Primary and secondary school children and youth sang in worship and unleashed different musical talents.
Thanks to Rotary Club of Kowloon Tong for their long term support to ECH in nurturing children and for presenting the Overall Performance Awards to the winning children. William, the president of the Rotary Club of Kowloon Tong was awarded special souvenir handmade by the children.
On that night, masters of the ceremony included two children. This gave them the opportunities to learn. Guests were invited to visit the primary school boy’s dormitory. The boys introduced their lifestyles and displayed their neat wardrobes at this Home. Good habits can be trained at a young age.
Children DIY potted gifts for the guests. Joe, the social work supervisor explained the meaning of this gift. It signifies that the children can lie on stable green grasses, their pains could be healed, their lives could be improved and they can rediscover themselves in the process of receiving our services. Pain from the past will no longer be their obstacles. They can move forward happily, thanks to supporters’ help.
During the peak of the 5th wave pandemic, ECH children need to be quarantined on-site. All staff was united to safeguard the children’s home and to cut off the spread of virus. Thankful that we could win this tough battle. This large-scale “Battle against Covid-19” involving everyone in this Home was documented in a micro-film. It re-lives the heart-bounding scenes and the touching moments when our staff advanced to take care of the children wave after wave.
Caseworkers invited children and youth to play different roles in the film, deepened their understanding of how our staff cooperated in the process of the fight and faced the unpredictable challenges together.
This micro-film was premiered in the 2021-22 ECH Award Ceremony, where guests and supporters shared the production results. The film director praised that the children could. bravely try, patiently learn and showed team spirit. After overcoming the tsunami-like pandemic, while looking back on the process, what everyone retains is a grateful heart.
Children and youth played the roles of the Superintendent, Deputy Superintendent and Caseworkers who were having an emergency meeting on the pandemic. She also played as a news reporter who interviewed ECH.
They played the roles of cleaner and food delivery staff dressed in personal protective equipment. She pretended to be a busy supporting staff distributing emergency supplies.
The invisible virus also participated in the scene of infecting the children’s home, while she acted as Superintendent asking for help calmly.
This special scene with the children’s interaction, represents that time goes back when the virus first struck the children’s home. They need to face the unknown development during the pandemic. After the 5th wave pandemic, what remains is our grateful hearts.
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.
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.
Thank for your companion, ECH has entered into its 65th anniversary year! Please watch this LIVE broadcast to celebrate with our children and youth and give your support!
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.
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 GodCheers for the “Home Youth”!
