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“Nothing New under the Sun” – Sharing from Vivian Law, Superintendent of Evangel Children’s Home about the Newborn Baby Abandonment Incident

On the opening monument of Evangel Children’s Home, it reads: Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me.” It is so true….

At about 5 am on February 2nd, Moon, a night duty staff, reported that there was a baby outside the front-gate. I really had no idea. After clarification, I realized that someone had abandoned a newborn baby at the door! Why are the “plots” of the fifties and sixties still happen today? After a while, there was a lady passing by. Her emotion seemed to be out of control. She slammed the gate, shouting that a baby was crying and why was there no one taking care of? Knowing that she is a Christian, I comforted her that as God let her be an angel passing by; I trust the baby would be saved.

I walked towards the “Recycle Hand Bag Object”, where the crying sound was from, in a trembling mood and discovered there was really a newborn baby, wrapped in a cloth only. She cried out loud, stretched her legs, at around 7 pounds. The lady next to me was not calmed down yet. On one side, I said to her, “You see, the baby has such a strong vitality! She will definitely grow up healthily.”  On the other side, I asked a colleague to take an umbrella to cover the bag to protect the baby from the wind, and took a towel to wrap around the bag. The temperature was only about 13 degrees Celsius.  Thereafter, an ambulance arrived and it was finally safe.

Later, I was informed that the lady who was suspected of abandoning the baby wandered for a long time along the road at the front gate as early as around 3:30 am, and she finally pressed the door-bell. Not until someone answered the door, she left then. I believed when she brought the baby to Evangel Children’s Home, she trusted that this Home should be a place with love and care. Suddenly, our home was on news that day. I hope God ’s name will be exalted. When people have no way out, God will open the door.

The next day, a colleague told me about what a child living in resident care home, awakened by the slammed gate noise talked about the case. When she knew that someone had abandoned her baby at the front-gate, she said, “That mother really loves her baby. It is because she knows she cannot take care of her; she chooses the best home for her and that is why the baby was put in front of the Evangel Children’s Home.” However, I feel bad with this sharing, and very true, it is more or less a portrait of the child.

My Daily Devotion and Bible Verse on That Day:

“But the Lord is the true God; he is the living God and an eternal king: when he is angry, the earth is shaking with fear, and the nations give way before his wrath.”

Jeremiah 10:10 (Union Version).

What I have also received is that God is graceful and merciful. His grace is sufficient and His mercy endures forever. May the work of our hands be sacrifices to God’s delight. We wish the baby a healthy growth!

Supporter Stories, Uncategorized

《Wholeness. Completeness – Living Life to the Fullest》Eva, our Fellow Worker

Eva Chan, Resources Development and Communication Manager, had been working in the business fields for long. But then she had turned her back on highly paid jobs and moved to work in the social welfare sector. She relinquished the mentality of creating “wants” based on materialistic values that her previous jobs promoted fundamentally.  In response to God’s call, Eva joined Evangel Children’s Home (ECH) and is committed to finding the resources needed for services that can bless the children and youth in need.  What she has gained is her life being fuller and more meaningful. Eva cried and laughed with the home children together.  She has also witnessed the change upon the help from the caring parties and supporters. In the COVID-19 pandemic, friendship with selfless love is connected together under the grace of God.

Eva is passionate singing songs with children; and running Live show of ECH on Facebook /YouTube

In retrospect to her experience of early family adversity when she was a teenager, Eva felt thankful that the fellowship mentor accompanied with her during hard time and introduced gospel to her. When she meets the youth who have suffered from childhood trauma, Eva understands well how helpless they are due to family crisis, issues and their broken family background.  She is most anxious to meet their needs and is committed to find appropriate resources so as to provide a stable environment for the youth to grow and thrive. More resources could help them live out their second life.

Affected by the social situations and the pandemic in recent years, the organization has encountered unprecedented difficulties in fund raising.  There was donor who had suspended monthly donations due to unemployment.  However, it was touching that she emphasized to resume as soon as she got a job.  Eva experienced God’s supply in appropriate timing when there was lack of resources.  She was so glad that there were brothers and sisters in Christ and other supporters always went along with ECH.  Looking ahead at the big challenges in fund raising affected by the adverse economic situations, she will work hard to overcome difficulties. This is to meet the needs for the growth of the home children and youth. She fully entrusts to God’s hands to nurture more “seeds” to sprout.

“I hope to see home children who were sad and helpless when moving in, to be changed to happy and grateful with gospel in their hearts when moving out!” This is Eva’s wish.

Youth Stories

《Transformation of a “Street Kid”》– Zimei

Zimei, the ex-resident of Children’s Home Care, had been a “street kid”. She rode her bike daily, without a life direction and would go home only when exhausted. She was grateful for staying at Evangel Children’s Home (ECH) where she learned about rules, procedures, responsibility, and life planning.

Zimei’s parents passed away one after another, worse still, she faced the aging out from children home at the age of 18 that she had to live on her own. She did not dwell on self-pity. Though she has to earn a living and support herself for studies, she will work hard to live up to those who love her as there are still many kind-hearted supporters around. With an optimistic personality, she boosts positive energy to set off for a new life.

Growth in Adversity

Due to the poor self-care ability of her parents, the new born Zimei was unable to be taken care off. She was arranged to live in a foster home till the age of 10.  According to Zimei’s description, she was under strict supervision from the foster auntie at the foster family. She had been punished to kneel and be beaten as long as it did not suit her or for no reason. But whenever there was Social Welfare Department staff’s home visit, foster auntie became gentle, would manage household work, prepare greeting snacks. After the staff was left, she turned back to her original style.  Zimei‘s parents had limitations on abilities, and found it hard to voice out for her. In the absence of love and care, hardly could she know what family was all about.

New Discovery

One year after leaving the foster family, she moved into ECH. At ECH, children generally resist being regulated; however, Zimei was willing to accept, so that she could feel loved.

Her living experience and potentials was a discovery after she moved in. Zimei was surprised to know that shower gel could be “foamed” and “scented”; she never tried these products because her parents did not know how to take care of her. With funding solicited from ECH, she had the opportunity to learn piano to actualize her music talent, and she took less than half a year to pass the fifth-level piano exam. Tutor also helped explore her artistic potential, and guided her on visual arts studies and career planning.

Accompanying Transition

Parents’ passing away one after another at upper secondary school had been a double blow to her. What was more, she had to take DSE exam. She was helpless. Thankfully, with the support from all folks at ECH, she could finally overcome. Zimei would like to thank specially “Chung”, the house parent, who always resonated with her that she could always feel at ease; “Loretta”, the counselor, who guided her like a mother, planned the way out and regulated the emotions with her. Bearing the childhood trauma, it is grateful that there are people around to care for, rely on, and to accompany at the transitional stage. She could then muster up the courage to face the rugged path of life ahead. 

Transforming Life

Zimei always stays calm, overcomes difficulties with courage, and gains strength in the process of transformation.

Children Stories

《Transform and Grow》- Gigi, our Home Child

Gigi (alias) is a primary school girl who loves to laugh.  She is methodical, responsible, and reliable. Actually, she only learned all these after she started living in Evangel Children’s Home (ECH).

Gigi has been living in ECH for one and a half years.  At the beginning, she found it difficult to adapt to the living.  She used to live in loose life pattern without any schedule for playing and studying when she was at home.  In contrast, every child living in ECH has to follow the daily routine, obey the rules and do housework according to roster.  Together with long study time, all are not easy for Gigi.  However, with her strong adaptability, Gigi overcame and got used to adapt to a regular life in a month.  She enjoys relaxing time after completing the tasks every day.

With good care from Fiona, foster parent, Gigi could adapt to the new life quickly.

Gigi was shy when the social worker praised her for her improvement in progress.  She realized she got bad temper easily; she would be irritated especially when she came across difficulties at homework.  She thanked both her foster parents and her new school teacher for their patience to her in daily caring as well as teaching at school. She had failed in some subjects in the past but then she improved a lot and got passed. She was relieved.

Apart from academic performance, Gigi shows improvement on self-care ability.

In the past, she didn’t like sports, as she fell down easily because of her poor balance.  She was afraid of being made fun of by other children thereafter.  Later, Stella, the counsellor taught her how to enhance her balance by making use of tools through practices. Now she can play hide and seek with other children and she loves to play basketball.

The happiest gift

Gigi enjoys the life in ECH very much. In addition to receiving gifts on festivals, it is more important to know the gift of gospel.  She was told that all things around her were created after “thundering” before.  But after hearing the gospel, she knew that the world is created by our Almighty God indeed.  Due to the pandemic outbreak, she was not able to join activities at church.  So she liked to join the Sunday School at ECH, which was held by Mandy from Chaplaincy Department on Sundays.  She could listen to Bible stories, read phrases from the Bible and get to know more about God.

Gigi is a cheerful girl and she is happy to get along well with other children.  She is nominated to be a “Caring Angel” to care for other kids.  With a grateful heart, she strives to do well every day.

Youth Stories

《Forced Living Apart from Family》– Ben

His starting of a new life shared by Co Co To, Youth Community Co-Living Service Project-in-charge

Life back home

Since 2008 when Ben studied in secondary school, he has started living in Evangel Children’s Home (ECH) with referral by a social worker because Ben’s father suffered from illness and was emotionally unstable. He planned to go home and lived with his parents after he was 18 years old and had finished DSE, however, his plan did not work and he was forced to become “homeless” eventually.

Ben faced a big challenge after he got back home.  His father’s condition was getting worse, e.g. he kept tidying from midnight until early morning, or often yelling at Ben at home.  Ben’s mother was threatened by his father and was forced to leave home as well.  Ben wanted to have normal living with peace, so he applied for the Youth Home services offered by ECH. “Although I have not been to hell, the life at home seemed like to be same as in hell.” Ben said

“NEET” youth get lost

Ben’s HKDSE results were unsatisfactory – he only got a pass in Computer Science. Ben, as a fledgling adolescent, he could only look for a job with lower qualification request.  He had to accept the reality helplessly that he could not go upstream.  He was reluctant to go home and hanged around the streets at night.  Ben described himself as “NEET” (Youth not in employment, education or training). He was lost without hope in his life, without love in his growth, without direction or way out.  Ben realized he had to further study if he wanted to alter the situation.  It is fortunate to have social workers and mentors standing by Ben’s side, not only encouraged him, but also taught him the techniques of writing resume and job interviews.  All could help him to step up with confidence.

Youth home service brings hope

After living in Youth Home for 2 years, Ben started adapting his career life.  He tried to move back to home, but Ben’s father was still not stable at all.  Later, Ben applied “Youth Community Co-Living Service” in 2019. Co-living apartments are provided by caring owner with low rents, allowing him to have a safe and stable space to rest and study. He can start planning for the future. He recalled that when he first moved into the Youth Home, he felt that he was abandoned by his family. Ben was so affected by his family background and his father’s situation.  He realized that he had to improve his academic qualifications and have a stable income to improve his life.

Ben used Zoom Meeting to prepare for job interviews
Ben used Zoom Meeting to prepare for job interviews
Career Planning Workshop helped explore career interests and enthusiasm

Ben learned how to get along with others in the youth home life.  He got the care and love from social workers and mentors.  He was assisted in finding directions in his career and was encouraged to find his own interests from different attempts.  Finally he had successfully got a computer-related job in a secondary school. Having stable working hours, Ben could arrange further studies as well as join the gathering and worship at church. He could start his self-help living.  Ben’s confidence was strengthened when he got the affirmation from his boss at work.  He was no longer a “NEET” now.  He hoped that he could have further study in university and broaden his knowledge in financial management and to get prepared to settle down and start a new family.

Postscript

Past experience helped Ben develop self-reflection about life.  He found out he was not only in a position being helped, but also he had the ability to help others instead.  Ben would take the initiative to cook for his flat-mates, ask them to run together, and help other youth with difficulties.  He was grateful when looking back, he knew he was loved and got the help from different people – with their love and help; he could overcome difficulties from being lost to learning how to plan his life.  At this moment, Ben’s biggest wish is to study in university and take good care of his mother.  

New Year gathering with his flat-mates and social worker (Ben, first at the right hand side)

Ben is about to leave the “Youth Community Co-living Service” and he is moving towards his goal progressively.  He is so grateful that he could have the opportunity in living in ECH over the years, where he could learn about self-care, career planning, financial management and his horizons is broadened.  He believes that all is God’s grace and he will keep working hard to equip himself to face new upcoming challenge.