SKH Bodies Collaborations

Thanks to the generous support of S.K.H. churches, schools, social service units, and benevolent individuals, the Charity Raffle 2024 has concluded successfully, raising over HK$4 million. These funds will be used to expand a range of community services, benefiting those in need, including stroke rehabilitation therapy, counseling services, and bereavement support. This year, we introduced the "Excellent Partner Award" to recognize the generous contributions of our corporate partners and presented "Certificate of Appreciation" to express our gratitude to all who have supported the Welfare Council. Furthermore, senior members from the "Shing Kee Cafe" at the Western District Elderly Community Centre prepared refreshments for the lucky draw ceremony, demonstrating the active participation and contributions of our service users in giving back to the community.

The Emergency Aid Fund provided by Act of Love offers timely support to families facing sudden crises and helps them navigate difficult times. Over the past year, more than $740,000 in emergency aid and food vouchers have been allocated, such as helping families that struggle financially due to unemployment with utility bills, and providing food and school supplies for children. This support enables families to maintain their basic needs and feel the warmth and care of the community, giving them confidence to move forward.

"Act of Love" actively responds to concerns about physical and
mental health among congregants by hosting a series of three
health seminars titled "Innovative Recovery Post-Pandemic".
Topics covered include "Rehabilitation Exercises", "Nutrition and Health" and "Traditional Chinese Medicine Dietary Therapy", with specialists like physiotherapists, nutritionists and traditional Chinese medicine practitioners leading the sessions. These seminars aim to help participants address lingering COVID-19 symptoms, build healthy habits and strengthen their bodies.

Additionally, "Act of Love" collaborated with the "Jockey Club Sleep Well Project" to host two public seminars titled "Blessed Are Those Who Sleep Well" at All Saints' Cathedral. These sessions aimed to promote knowledge about sleep hygiene and related services to the S.K.H. community.

In collaboration with Sheng Kung Hui parishes, Act of Love organised activities designed to improve physical and mental wellbeing and encourage mutual care. Supported by the Diocses of Western Kowloon Pastora Care Fund, our “STUDYCATION” scheme offered schoolchildren equal learning and developmental opportunities for greater self-confidence.

The Diocese of Western Kowloon of the H.K.S.K.H. launched the "Walk in Grace” Project in June 2020 to encourage churches, schools and social services units to reach out and care for the needy residents and families in the district by distributing lucky bags and sharing love and care with disadvantaged families. So far, 10 churches, 5 primary schools and 10 social service units have participated in the project. By the end of March 2021, the project team has distributed about 3,000 lucky bags with the Walk in Grace pamphlets (sharing community messages and church information), gospel booklets, cash coupons and rice rations.

To encourage church members to respond to their calling, extend concern to their parishes and help develop a harmonious society, the H.K.S.K.H. Ming Hua Theological College teamed up with the L.E.A.D. Professional Training Centre to run the "Being a Companion—Pastoral Care Certificate Course” in 2019. 27 church members from 15 parishes enrolled in the course, which included 4 segments—“Theology”, “The Intrinsic Value of Care”, “Caring Skills” and “Service Practicum”—delivered by pastors and registered social workers. After the classes, participants were asked to apply their newfound knowledge at social service units in their parishes in completing 20 hours of visits and service training.

In January 2020, the Welfare Council and the H.K.S.K.H. Diocese of Eastern Kowloon organised the “Angels’ Candlelight: Bless Hong Kong Charity Concert”, which was held at the Yip Kit Chuen Concert Hall at Diocesan Boys’ School, to raise funds for the Council’s grief counselling services for children, stroke rehabilitation services, the Diocese of Eastern Kowloon and pastoral care work at the H.K.S.K.H. Holy Carpenter Church, and to express goodwill for Hong Kong. Renowned vocalists Mr Jimmy Chan and Ms Rao Lan took the reins as music director and artistic director, while the Most Revd Dr Paul Kwong, the Rt Revd Andrew Chan, the Rt Revd Dr Timothy Kwok, Dr Moses Cheng and other veteran singers and members of the Sheng Kung Hui community sang and participated in the concert. I would like to thank Sino Group and Sun Hung Kai Properties for their generous sponsorship. The concert was ultimately a full house and raised more than HK$3.4 million of funding.

The H.K.S.K.H. Standing Commission on Social Service teamed up with the Welfare Council in the year 2015 to 2016 to launch the 3-part “Rejoice Always” Training Programme for Cognitively Impaired Church Members, which aimed to raise awareness towards the cognitively impaired patients and the families among the S.K.H. church members. Church members who completed the training programme provided members of the Western District Elderly Community Centre with activities such as cognitive training based on real life and reminiscence, aided by “Rejoice Always” teaching materials. They also visited members of the Lok Man Alice Kwok Integrated Service Centre and the Tseung Kwan O Aged Care Complex—Jockey Club District Elderly Community Centre cum Day Care Unit, where they played board games and online games to help train members’ memory and cognition.