YMCA 2022 April Perspective
26-04-2022
Cover Story
Walking in step with our DSE candidates
Earlier this year, the Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong’s Knowledge Management and Strategy Section carried out a study on the mental health of DSE candidates. The study was designed to draw attention to the needs of DSE candidates during the unique circumstances of the pandemic, which would then help the Association gather the necessary support for these students from parents, teachers, social workers, and other relevant parties.
The study found that of the 543 DSE candidates who were interviewed, more than 60% were experiencing severe or moderate emotional distress. The main sources of their stress were worries about the actual test results, concerns about family and teacher expectations, and the general impact of the pandemic on their exams. Our social worker pointed out that this year's candidates were particularly troubled, as they started school in an unstable and unpredictable pandemic environment. Some of the recommendations included emphasising the importance of peer support, reminding family members to be encouraging, and explaining that the DSE is only one stop along the road of life and that there will be plenty of time for young people to unleash their potential.
To help give parents and teachers practical and effective ways to support DSE candidates during the examination period, the Association’s Counselling Unit held an online lecture on the evening of 14 April, with professional psychological counsellors sharing ways to provide DSE candidates with emotional support and help them face up to exam pressures. The counsellors also discussed the potential psychological states and predicaments faced by DSE candidates during the pandemic.
The Association has also created an online “2022 DSE Candidate Support Platform” resource which provides exam-taking tips to candidates and various stretching and breathing exercises and other activities to help stabilise peoples’ moods before and during the exam. Artist Ling Man-lung, Locker Lam Ka-hei and Chiu Sin-hang, vocalist from ToNic, also made a short video clip to cheer up DSE candidates. Don’t hesitate to share the link to the platform with DSE candidates and their families!
What’s New
Hongkong Land “Love in Meals” programme
The fifth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic has greatly affected people living in residential care homes for the elderly and the disabled. To solve their urgent needs, the Association, in partnership with the Hongkong Land Home Fund, launched a meal donation programme. Free meals are provided by our social enterprise, New Creation Depot, and our hostel, The Cityview to residential care homes and integrated home care service teams. Together, we are taking care of the needs of service users and fighting the pandemic!
From now until 14 May, residential care homes for the elderly and the disabled that are subsidised by the government and affected by COVID-19 can contact the Association five days in advance to reserve lunch boxes. The Association will then prepare the required number of lunch boxes and arrange for delivery to the relevant residential care homes.
For programme details, please visit the following website: https://www.ymca.org.hk/zh-hant/hkland_food
This disease may be ruthless, but it has also shown us that love is everywhere. The YMCA deeply appreciates the support we have been given from across society. This love and support has allowed us to help the vulnerable through the pandemic and helped all of Hong Kong pull together to fight the virus.
See more on the YMCA “Fighting the Epidemic Together with Enterprises” page:
Sending anti-epidemic supplies to ethnic minority families
As the pandemic rages, ethnic minority families across Hong Kong are in urgent need of various supplies for their daily lives. We would like to thank Kowloon Lok Sin Tong and the Yau Tsim Mong District Office for donating materials to our Jordan Centre to support ethnic minority families in the area.
After receiving the materials, the Jordan Centre produced a bilingual promotional video in English and Urdu and is distributing food, disinfection items and rapid test kits to 50 ethnic minority families undergoing home isolation. Families in need are welcome to call us anytime at 2781 1411 or 9052 5476 (WhatsApp).
Featured Services
Speech assessment and individual therapy services
Wondering if your child may have a language disorder? The Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong’s Wong Chuen King Student Development Centre provides speech assessment and individual therapy services to children. Association members can bring children who are two years old and above to the Centre where they will be given a language disorder evaluation by an accredited speech therapist. For inquiries or to register, please contact Miss Lee at 2217 8813.
Highlights of our Activities
“Lead an Enriched Life KOL – Healthy School Project”
The Association’s Knowledge Management and Strategy Section recently organised the “Lead an Enriched Life KOL – Healthy School Project”, which shared tips on how to become a KOL with 97 students from 10 primary and secondary schools. The programme helped them learn to create and develop anchor skills and taught them about creative thinking, video content ideas, production, and interview skills. The tutor team was made up of Dr Jim Hui, the Executive Secretary of the Association; Ms Yip Sze-nga, our Counsellor; and Mr Yeung Chi-hin, our Service Development Officer. Students and tutors interacted through video and face to face meetings, while the students were guided to use their imagination through diversified instructional media. They then used multimedia software and a variety of tools to conceive and produce short films at school. After completing the eight-hour school-based course, students from each school jointly created a short video on a theme of “healthy campus”, promoting healthy lifestyles and an anti-drug culture and showcasing their learning results!
Discover YMCA Channel
Review of the online opening ceremony of our Mong Kok Holistic Development Centre
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