Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong

While 2020 has brought us many challenges, there is also much to be grateful for: that the coronavirus crisis is beginning to abate in Hong Kong; that the DSE exams have been proceeding; that local schools are set to reopen in late May; and that much of the city is beginning to return to normal life.

Though the epidemic is currently considered “under control”, the situation in Hong Kong is still a long way from normal. Things will be different and unusual for some time to come. The Association recognises that the entire city has endured great hardship this year, and this is why we are offering designated members a one-year membership extension for free.

Since the coronavirus outbreak began, going out to eat or play has been less appealing for some people, and impossible for others. Many public facilities have been shut down for an extended period of time. Since 29 January, we have been providing limited services to the public and quite a number of activities have been cancelled. As our response to our affected members, we are offering a free one-year membership extension to help you ride out the hard times. Please click here for details:

Meanwhile, almost everyone in Hong Kong continues to practice stringent hygiene measures, in particular, washing our hands and wearing face masks. Given that face masks remain a crucial part of our daily routine, the YMCA is prioritising working with our Y-Care CSR partners to provide supplies of hygiene products to vulnerable communities around Hong Kong.

Our staff members have been sparing no effort to collect these supplies from generous corporate donors. For example, New World Development Co., Ltd. partnered with us to install mask collection dispensers at four of our service centres: Tsuen Wan Centre, Jordan Centre, Hin Keng Centre, and the Tin Ping Neighbourhood Elderly Centre. The self-service mask collection dispensers are intended to help low-income people through these difficult times. Starting in mid-June, eligible individuals will be given a redemption card, which they can then use to at the nearest dispenser to collect five masks per week. The operation will run for ten weeks. Please click here for details and to register.

Primary and secondary schools in Hong Kong will only begin to go back on 27 May, with younger pupils still out of school until mid-June. As a result, many schools are still maintaining online teaching programmes. However, a considerable number of low-income families do not have sufficient resources to participate in online learning sessions. One of our Y-Care Corporate Partners, ACCA Hong Kong, recently donated 200 prepaid data cards to students in need, giving them three months of free internet service which will allow them to continue their studies.

Though the epidemic has eased slightly, this is no time to let our collective guard down. The Association is committed to helping Hong Kong recover. As such, we are providing the public with information on how they can help fight the virus. We have developed a webpage with helpful hygiene tips and a list of activities we are conducting during the pandemic. Additionally, thanks to the support of the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, we have also distributed masks, bottles of hand sanitiser, household bleach and information leaflets to our services centres, and produced an educational video series with sign language interpretation and English subtitles.

Please click here to learn more about the “JC-Coronavirus Support Services” programme.

This year marks the seventh consecutive year of the Hong Kong Secondary School Mini-Movie Competition, an event jointly organised by YMCA, Magna Education Centre and the Hong Kong Micro Movie Institute. The theme of this year’s competition is “Our Anti-epidemic Days”. Participants are encouraged to pay attention to their surroundings during the pandemic and share these striking moments and unforgettable experiences through their mini-movies. Interested parties may register online any time before the entry submission deadline, which is 16 November. Please click here for more details and to register, of call 2857 7700 if you have any enquiries.

With the coronavirus pandemic currently under control in Hong Kong, public facilities and services are gradually being restored. With the health of our service users always at the top of our minds, we teamed up with one of our Y-Care CSR partners, Powerful Industrial Limited, to install three body temperature monitors, one each at our Chai Wan Neighbourhood Elderly Centre, our Tin Ping Neighbourhood Elderly Centre, and our Tin Ping C&A Home for the Elderly. These advanced instruments can remotely monitor the body temperature of service users. This will reduce human error and allow us to detect potential health problems in the elderly, giving everyone peace of mind.

Last month, the Association’s School Social Work Department held an online music sharing event presented by various Youtubers to help lift the spirits of this year’s DSE candidates and reduce their stress levels. Now, our second round of cheering is ready to kick off! School Social Work Department has joined hand with UNI-Y to invite several professionals to provide interview tips to the DSE candidates, while current college students will also share their strategies on the Joint University Programme Admissions System (JUPAS) selection with this year’s students.

Please click here for details and to register.