22
Playtimes
S
uffering from muscular dystrophy
and related intellectual
impairments, five-year-old
Lum Lum is confined to a
special wheelchair and linked to a
feeding machine all day. Despite the
excruciating pain, Lum Lum is growing
stronger through stretching exercises,
which also prevent her muscles from
deteriorating further. She loves to smile,
laugh and blow bubbles – earning her
the nickname Little Miss Sunshine. Lum
Lum, her parents and her pre-school
teachers all hope she’ll soon progress to
primary school. But none of this would
be possible without the support of the
Hong Chi Association.
How Hong Chi helps
Hong Chi is a non-profit organisation
dedicated to serving people of all ages
and all grades of intellectual disabilities,
together with their families. Currently
assisting 7,000 people, they provide
education (including pre-school, adult
and special), job training, sheltered and
supported employment and day care.
Their units offer residential services,
family and community support,
recreational and social programmes as
well as professional therapy.
The Pinehill Pre-school Centre
provides year-round residential care
and education for kids aged up to six,
and assists those with developmental
disorders.
The Pinehill Integrated Vocational
Training Centre offers young adults
job training, and both supported and
sheltered employment. A wide range
of vocational training is offered: artistic
trainees can practise pottery skills,
whilst those with green fingers develop
organic farming skills, boosting job
opportunities in this growing (excuse
the pun!) market.
With support from Marriott, Hong
Kong’s first training hotel facility for
people with intellectual disabilities
opened in Pinehill in 2008. Marriott
helps trainees work at their and other
hotel chains. The certificate in hotel
room attendant training granted to
graduates gives proper recognition and
job competitiveness.
Hong Kong’s intellectually disabled
children are inspired and assisted to
be all they can be by the Hong Chi
Association. With a meaningful motto of
Children come first
, Hong Chi believes
that people with intellectual disabilities
develop their full potential with
appropriate education and training.
The charity’s name derives from the
Chinese word
hong
, which means “to
assist”, and
chi
, which refers to “the
intellect”.
With public support and
acceptance, Hong Chi’s students
and trainees can live independent,
integrated and dignified lives, and are
encouraged to realise their dreams.
How you can help
Hong Chi actively advocates for
change. Show your understanding
and acceptance for intellectually
disadvantaged people during their
Annual Mass Appeal, which helps Hong
Chi provide school meals for students
from low-income families.
Alternatively, participate in
fundraising or service projects, be
it mural painting or renovation.
Social climbers (individuals, teams
or fit families) should start training
for next year’s exhilarating Hong Chi
Climbathon. This vertical race at Wan
Chai’s Central Plaza gives entrants the
choice of running up all 75 or just 29
floors.
Businesses are encouraged to
arrange activities for Hong Chi’s
schools and service units or promote
social integration. Business owners can
employ graduates from the assorted
supported employment services or
place job orders with workshops.
Support their social enterprises
by buying greetings cards, crafts
(including Lunar New Year decorations),
soaps, jewellery and candles. These
gifted folk grow organic vegetables
and bake a range of prettily packaged
cookies. And you can always simply
donate money to help make Little Miss
Sunshine and her friends smile.
Learn more at
en_about_intro.asp.
Since 1965, the Hong Chi Association has been helping
people with intellectual disabilities develop to their full
potential, writes
Gillian Johnston
.
news
challenged children
Inspiring
