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

《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 “2^nd 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》.
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