“A Severe 5th Wave Pandemic” – Thankful for Timely Donations with Love

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.

Donation methods: https://www.ech.org.hk/en/support-us/donation-methods

Let’s fight the virus together!

《The Kid that Moved a Gas Tank》- ECH Alumni Man Tat

“Honest and Helpful”, this is Man Tat in the eyes of former house parent Onson.

At the age of 6, Man Tat was arranged to stay in Evangel Children’s Home because his family could not provide proper care in the 80s. When he first came to this unfamiliar place, all the house parents he met took great care of him. In this lovely home, he stayed for 12 years.

A Good House Helper

In this home, there were energetic boys and girls of different ages. Man Tat actively participated in activities such as primary student fellowship and loved sharing. Everyone loved him very much. Each child needs to do household chores, e.g., making the bed and cleaning. Man Tat not only did that, he also assisted in other tasks such as moving gas tanks and became a good house helper.

Selfless Love

One of the house parents – Hung, took good care of Man Tat and taught him well. Hung continued to be his big brother in a “Big Brother and Sister – Mentor Project” even after he resigned. He took care of him for many years. Because of the selfless love he received, Man Tat worked in ECH to look after the youngster of the Home for a short while after he left. It showed a sense of belonging, a response to God’s love and a giveback to this Home.

Love Your Neighbors as Yourself

Man Tat deeply understands that young children need to be accompanied. The brothers and sisters here took care of him like family members. This molded himself to be a brother who loves God and mankind. In the last annual Alumni gathering, he tried his best to attend and extended this love. He looks up to God with a pure heart and helps other alumni that grow up with him.

Evangel Children’s Home – a place that raised him up. He wishes this Home continues to shine and ignite hope.

*Thank Onson (Alumni Gospel Ministry Worker and former house parent) for contacting and interviewing Man Tat.

《The Unhappy Olivia》

Nowhere Home

Olivia (alias) used to live with her grandmother in an old village while her parents live in another place in Mainland China. Born in HK, Olivia was arranged by her parents to stay with her paternal aunt’s family in HK. Her parents insisted that she should stay in HK while her aunt only promised short-term care. Conflicts arose between her uncle and her aunt who suffered depression, thus hostel service was requested.

Referral to “3R” services

The 15-year-old Olivia started to displayed emotional and behavioral issues which affected her school life and appetite. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the girl was afraid to face her English teacher in Zoom class and cried even while doing newspaper clipping. Owing to the pressure from homework and quarrels among her roommates, she became more annoyed.  Hostel social worker then referred the girl to the “Right Care, Right Time & Right Team (3R) Project”. After assessment by family doctor, Olivia was referred to clinical psychologist (CP). Upon the 5th session, she was diagnosed insomnia and anxiety. CP also referred her to psychiatrist for medication.

Hostel

Knowing the girl needs more space and needs to prepare for upcoming public exams, hostel social worker helped arrange another independent room with more mature roommates. Together with extra care and concern, she could focus on her studying.

Counseling

3R CP took initiative to understand and assist in resolving some of her psychological and practical problems. CP taught her to handle emotional swings and pressure from family and school. CP also advised her to write down the happy and memorable things which remind her that someone loves her.

Psychiatric treatment

Medication helped Olivia sleep better and avoid overthinking. 3R psychiatrist was very attentive. He adjusted the dosage and treatment plan according to her latest condition. The outcome was remarkable. Her emotional swings reduced. With a calm mind, she can think more positively. Psychiatrist also prescribed appetite stimulants that helped her regain some weight.

Olivia felt lucky that she can receive multi-professional services from 3R project.

She believes many children and youth in the society also need such services. Hope that 3R project can gain more support from people in the society.

“Right Care, Right Time & Right Team (3R) Project”

https://www.ech.org.hk/en/services/3r-project/

Christmas Event 2021 -《Meet God’s grace in a Christmas adventure. Show our love in a walk through adversities.》

2021年的聖誕慶祝晚會以《聖誕奇遇見主恩 逆境同行顯愛心》為題,同慶播道兒童之家65周年。今次慶祝以別開生面的形式,讓孩子與助養人及助跑人互動。各嘉賓由孩子扮演的牧羊人引領,走訪幾個精心設計的家舍景點,了解孩子的日常生活。一連串慶祝活動,逆境同行顯愛心!

Recurit – 院舍家長愛很大 專訪宿舍家長郭麗君

想投身社福界,除了做社工、福利工作員、活動幹事,還有甚麼工種? 只要有心入行,自能發掘更多事業機會。兒童和青少年院舍有類獨特職人叫「家長」,他們肩負照顧孩子重任,每天工作要付出非一般愛心。

郭麗君在家是一名孩子的母親,但當她回到工作崗位,則變身一群孩子的家長。2018年,她辭去原本工作,踏進社福界,事業180度轉型,成為播道兒童之家宿舍家長。「起初我想,自己本身是媽咪,懂得湊孩子,也很喜歡小朋友,工作應駕輕就熟不太難,但入職後發覺情況跟想像不同,因照顧12個孩子挑戰頗大,這邊喧鬧,那邊吵架,像管弦樂團一樣,有時都幾頭痛!但工作讓我找到獨特使命和意義,與孩子建立感情更是無價。」

郭麗君回到宿舍,同事和孩子都稱她為君姐姐。「這是機構的傳統,家長都叫做哥哥姐姐,希望營造家的感覺。」

事業轉型愛心工作

播道兒童之家隸屬中國基督教播道會,成立於1956年,為有需要兒童和青少年提供院護服務,創辦人為美國播道會西教士申路得(Ruth Sundquist)。郭麗君說,院舍孩子背景各有不同,有些是孤兒,有些來自破碎家庭,被疏忽照顧、被虐待。部分孩子有特殊學習需要(SEN),患過度活躍症和自閉症等。「有時他們會發脾氣,情緒起伏頗大。照顧他們,你要有耐性,付出額外的愛心。」

「當初也沒想過入行當家長,這是奇妙的安排。」郭麗君曾從事時裝採購工作多年,晚晚OT捱更抵夜。「有種營營役役而不知為何的感覺,很想尋找別的工作意義。後來採購業走下坡,公司也結束了,但我沒不開心,反有種釋懷的感覺,可重新開始。」後來轉行從事顧客服務工作1年,機緣巧合得悉播道兒童之家招聘宿舍家長,於是決定一試。

多功能家長

院舍分為男女不同的家,各有家長當值,家長照顧孩子生活,每周有3天在家舍留宿,和孩子同吃同住。「我會形容自己是多功能家長,朝早照料他們吃早餐上學,待他們放學回來為他們補習,有時兼顧生命導師開解安慰他們。若他們吵架,則要充當調解員。到了晚上,則變身助理,替孩子執拾書包,為水壺裝水,準備翌日的零食……所以話,家長真係一職多能。」

「愛自己親生孩子容易,愛別人孩子需要付出更大愛心。以生命影響生命,是工作最大意義。」不少孩子因自小缺乏愛,不易信人,且會鬧情緒,她初入職時,有些孩子對她不瞅不睬,甚至大聲罵她。打開孩子心窗,靠日積月累關懷,點點滴滴付出愛。

付出愛心建關係

有位讀小五男生,來自破碎家庭,宿舍容許周六日回家「度假」,但他每次回到院舍也不太開心。「有晚他回來說還未吃飯,因媽媽沒為他做飯,整天只塞1個杯麵給他。他又很想洗澡,因媽媽不停吸煙,弄得他一身煙味。他洗完澡後,我拿風筒為他吹頭。他望著我說:媽媽從沒為我吹頭。」

自此,孩子慢慢打開心扉,與她建立關係。「他每晚臨睡前會來找我,問我可否和他傾偈,他會和我分享心中擔憂與不快。我會慢慢安慰他,然後一同祈禱。」

兩月後聖誕節,孩子為她送上聖誕卡。「他在卡上寫道,沒想過我能在家舍工作超過1個月,謝謝我和他聊天,祝我工作愉快。雖然是張小小聖誕卡,但代表著孩子心意。和孩子建立感情,就是工作最佳回報。」

如今工作近兩年,正修讀輔導學,希望能更好地幫助孩子。這位不一樣家長,有這樣的體會。「養兒一百歲,長憂九十九,親生孩子可用一生照顧,但照顧院舍孩子,不知能和他們相處多久,所以要把握時間,用愛心照顧教導,希望他們生命變得更好。」

院舍孩子為她送上聖誕卡

播道兒童之家

播道兒童之家始於1956年,服務來自破碎家庭的兒童和青少年。機構提供3大服務:「兒童院護服務」、「兒童日間院護服務(SEN學齡支援計劃)」、「青少年家舍服務(第二人生助跑計劃)」。機構聘有社工、宿舍家長、活動幹事等人手。若有志成為家長,需心智成熟,對兒童有愛心和耐性,具心理學及兒童成長知識更佳。

Recruit記者:甄榮康

院舍家長愛很大
https://www.recruit.com.hk/m-article/院舍家長-愛很大/40383

恩雨之聲 – 恩雨同路人第411集 – 青年家舍導師余燕芬生命見證

『在商界打滾多年的余燕芬(Stephanie),在一次偶然的機會下,與一班年青人接觸,觸發她轉換人生跑道的念頭。她按著心中的感動,加入播道兒童之家,用自己的經歷和同理心,與一班青少年同笑同哭同行,陪伴他們成長路上,找到自己的使命和方向,讓每個獨特的生命都可以發揮所長。』( 節錄自恩雨之聲)

Stephanie,成長自缺失的家庭,對爸爸印象不深,媽媽忙於工作,很少時間相處,記憶中只有罵、管教嚴謹。自小與家人關係疏離、成長歷程充滿反叛與挑戰,所以很理解青年人受著原生家庭影響,情緒表現會變得反覆和不由自主,盼藉著自己經歷,給他們作榜樣,陪伴他們走出傷痛。

分享點滴:

  1. 看到婆婆目不識丁也堅持不間斷返教會、姐姐回流返港熱切的傳福音,感受上帝祝福她的家人,信主後生命得以轉化,有能力承擔對人的工作。
  2. 一位家舍青年的媽媽再婚,當時的她,工作和讀書不如意,很掛念媽媽但得不到回覆,Stephanie想起自己過去的經歷,與青年一起禱告、讀聖經、陪伴同行。在翌日,青年人收到媽媽的電話,感受到天父聽禱告,Stephanie明白到更要關顧他們的需要。
  3. 因過往任職不同商界範疇,這些經驗幫助家舍青年進入職場,並結連企業合作,提供職場培訓機會,讓青年學習責任、自律,增強個人自信。

恩雨同路人第411集  – 青年家舍導師余燕芬生命見證

點擊重溫:https://www.sobem.org.hk/audioAutoPlayList.php?radio=media_fellow&aid=412  或http://www.metroradio.com.hk/MetroFinance/Program/ProgramDetail.aspx?Program=CHRP

恩雨之聲 – 恩雨有情天 無家孩子的導航者

播道兒童之家院長羅美珍,二十多年來鍥而不捨地為破碎家庭的孩子提供溫暖而安全的成長環境,用愛培育生命。

近年院舍又伙拍專業人士引入「2R」計劃,在適當的時間為孩子提供適切的幫助,讓他們得著健康的全人發展。

筆者: 甄敏宜
恩雨有情天    無家孩子的導航者
https://www.sobem.org.hk/edm/pdf/SingPao20200302.pdf

ECH Alumni Homecoming Visit – Sharing Session for “2nd Chance in Life” Transitional Youth Sponsorship Program

服務社會65年之久,播道兒童之家照顧過的孩子超過1,300名。難得ECH院友周年重聚,移居加拿大多年的第一代院友大哥哥段一勤,專程回院與院友及孩子分享「愛的承傳」,話說當年。院友重返家舍,懷緬昔日生活的點滴,更參觀增設的青年家舍。青年宿生現身說法,讓大家更立體地了解新一代青年人的挑戰。

一勤哥更鼓勵院友以月捐方法支持「第二人生助跑計劃」,以愛還愛,分享更拍攝成短片,結連不同地域的ECH院友。

「一勤哥哥傳家愛」播道兒童之家第一代院友為「第二人生助跑」呼籲院友關愛,幫助無家青年走出困局,月捐支持 [第二人生助跑計劃] ,有助他們「安居.樂業.自立.合群」。