Report from Social Service Committee (2008 - 2010)
Co-Chairmen: Christine Fang, Monita So
As one of the Zonta mission is to help the underprivileged, in this biennium, through the concerted effort of our sister Zontians, we have donated over $600,000 to support and complete the following meaningful projects:
Elderly
For two consecutive years, we have been supporting St James Settlement to carry out minor home repairs and providing basic electric home appliances like water heater and refrigerators to the elders who live alone. Over two hundred elderly households have been benefited.
Our Zontians joined the Asia Women’s League Limited in celebrating the Chinese New Year with over 500 elders. Each elder received a red packet and New Year gift sponsored by our Club.
Women
Disabled women usually encounter physical difficulties when going for health check. To help a group of disabled women for receiving medical screening, we supported The Association of Women with Disabilities Hong Kong for sponsoring 200 disabled women for health check and conducting 5 medical talks.
We have also sponsored the Hong Kong Tin Shui Wai Women Association an empowerment programme for helping the underprivileged women to integrate into the community.
Ethnic Minority
To support and encourage the ethnic minority youths to pursue academic success, to improve their career path and to care for their own society, through the Hong Kong Unison, we have set up a three-year Zonta Scholarship, awarding four ethnic minority students each year.
Disabled
Our support to Shek Kip Mei Lutheran Blind Centre has been going on for over 20 years. In this biennium, we have sponsored the centre for upgrading their radio recording facilities, which allow their blind users to make their own radio programmes.
Children
Our care for the children goes to sponsoring of a Roulique Training Workshop for the Evangel Children’s Home. A total of 11 children participated in the Workshop.
Education
For over ten years, we have been sponsoring the Open University of Hong Kong a Zonta Club of New Territories Scholarship. The scholarship aims to help the needy female students to continue their studies and to recognize those who demonstrated academies excellence.
Our Club has also supported Marycove Girls’ Home for running the Helix project. It is a counseling programme providing a self-understanding, self-learning and self-management programme for female adolescents with family and behavioral problems.
Others
Last but not the least, we have also sponsored the Hong Kong Eating Disorders Association Limited for a seminar on Eating Disorder. Dr Susie Orbach, a well known psychotherapist from London was invited to conduct a talk to the professionals and a group of caring parents on eating disorder and mental well being.
Report from Social Service Committee (2006 - 2008)
Co-Chairmen: Eva Chan, Lilian Lau
In these two years, the Social Service Committee had identified and sponsored the following worthy projects to support women, elderly, children, disabled and the underprivileged. Guiding principles are discussed in social service meetings to identify more focused and worthy projects in coming years to help three main female groups, including the underprivileged, problematic (subjects of violence, divorced) and those in need of development. Job finding and professional training help advance women status in the community. Also we continue to work with previous partners and aim at keeping direct close contact with beneficiaries.
A visit with Dog Show for the children of Evangel Children's Home on 3-Feb-2007
Evangel Children's Home, founded in 1956, serves and educates children and youth from broken families. The Club donated HK$50,000 to support the Home's publishing of ten thousand DVD in preceding year. Continue to stay in close communication with our beneficiaries is one of our aims. Fourteen Zontians visited the Evangel Children's Home just before the Chinese New Year in 2007 to show that we really care. We brought gifts and red packets to the children and had great fun watching the children's performances. These was followed by the excellent Dog Show by the HK Canine Working & Agility Club.
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Elder Ring and Personal Emergency Link System
We donated HK$ 200,000 to sponsor the Senior Citizen Home Safety Association to install Elder Ring System in the homes of those in need with priority given to singleton elderly females. Through the system, they could have free access to a 24-hour emergency service.
On 7-July 2007, five Zontians paid a visit to a singleton elderly lady in Kwun Tong. Through her vivid description, we learnt of how she made use of the system when she sustained a fall in the apartment. She expressed her gratitude to our Club and thanked us for our continued support of the singleton elderly like herself.
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"Innovations and Solutions focused"- Regional Conference on Women with Disabilites
In January 2008, we donated a sum of HK$ 30,000 to subsidize the registration fees of about 200 local delegates to a three-day Regional Conference organised by The Association of Women with Disabilities, The Rehabilitation Alliance Hong Kong and The City University of Hong Kong. This Conference aims to network women with disabilities in the Asia-Pacific region to discuss of important themes like poverty, health, violence, family, marriage, arts, media and image. Through participation, the local delegates shared their views and found aspirations for improving the living environment and life choices for disabled women in Asia. Our President attended the Opening Ceremony and found the Conference very meaningful.
Marycove Centre Assessment Package
Mary Cove Centre, run by the Sisters of the Good Shepherd, is a worldwide organisation dedicated to serving girls and women marginalized by the society and deprived of love and hope.
With teen problems becoming more critical in recent years, there is an urgent need to develop an effective way in coaching the young girls with emotional disturbances and behavioural outrages. The Helix project was thus developed to help staff to work out a direction and path on how to support the girls. We sponsored a sum of HK$ 114,000 to help develop an assessment tool in identifying the need profile of each girl and enables the Centre to formulate intervention strategies to cater for individual needs.
Home repair & maintenance for the needy Elderly
The Club donated $100,000 to our long-term partner St. James' Settlement in support of their persistent effort in carrying out minor home repair works for families in need. We gave priority to the elderly and singleton females. We have been supporting this good cause as the works are carried out mainly by volunteer workers and therefore, our donation, and that of our patrons, are used in the most efficient and effective way. Minor repairs like fixing a loose screw, replacing door handles, adding a grab bar over a water closet, fixing broken tiles, changing a light tube, etc, were carried out in the homes of the elderly. We fully appreciate the co-ordination work by the Continuing Care Team of St. James' Settlement.
Provide hot water heaters for the Elderly
The Club also donated electric water heaters to elderly families recommended by St. James' Settlement. This project is another that helps enhance the safety and convenience of their daily living.
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Employment Resource Corner of the Tin Shui Wai Women Assoication Centre
We are pleased that since our sponsorship of the employment facilities in the Tin Shui Wai Women Association in 2005 - 2006, the Tin Shui Wai area in general has been receiving a lot of attention and support from the Government and the business sector of Hong Kong. The Association is now busy with activities in employment and associated facilities like child care for the working mothers in the area. The Club will continue to give support to the Association as and when required.
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Hong Kong Employment Development Service Zonta Club of The New Territories Employment Resource Centre, Yuen Long, New Territories
In co-operation with Hong Kong Employment Development Services, we see good results from our $400,000 sponsorship in 2005/2006 for the establishment and running of The Zonta Club of The New Territories Employment Resources Centre in Yuen Long. The Centre provides vocational training designed for target groups including new arrivals, ethnic groups, and youths of low education and skill. Courses covering domestic help, personal care, and catering are developed. Case counseling, placement and post-placement support, are also given. We are pleased that our partnership and support to the Yuen Long area will continue for 10 years.
Scholarship and Bursaries for female students of Open University
We continue to sponsor $20,000 for 2 bursary grants to female students with financial difficulties every year. We also donate a $5,000 scholarship to a female student who excels academically.
24 hours Hotline service to the Shek Kip Mei Lutheran Centre for the Blind
The Club sponsored the setting up of the hotline service for the blind years ago. We now continue to sponsor the equipment renewal and its computerization thus enabling the service be extended to the visually deficient sector through internet. We envisage that through internet, the service can benefit the visually challenged all over the world so long as they understand Chinese or Cantonese.
Report from Social Service Committee (2004 - 2006)
Co-Chairman: Eva Chan Margaret Chan
Visit to 貴州省 清石新界崇德社助學長征苗圃希望小學 -
April 2005
Through the Sowers Action in 2003, the Club contributed HK$189,036 to sponsor
the construction of a primary school in a remote part of Guizhou in the Mainland.
The building was completed in December 2004 and was later named 清石新界崇德社助學長征苗圃希望小學.
Ten Zonta NT members and one family member, together with a member from Sowers Action visited the school in April 2005 and participated in the naming ceremony of the school. They also brought with them gifts of stationery and electronic appliances for the students and teachers of the school.
Sponsor of the Employment Development
Services Centre in Yuen Long
Recognizing that unemployment is a major cause for lack of harmony within families
and the community, the Club donated $400,000 towards the setting up and running
of Zonta Club of The New Territories Employment Resources Centre in Yuen Long,
the district with the highest unemployment and underemployment rates in Hong
Kong in 2005. The Centre provides vocational training facilities and courses
designed for the unemployed of low skill and education, namely courses for domestic
helpers, rehabilitation and elderly home care helpers, etc. The Centre has been
operated by the Hong Kong Employment Development Services Limited since early
2005.
Home repair & maintenance for the needy Single Living Elderly
The Club donated $120,000 for minor home repair works carried out in 720 single
/ couple elderly families. The works, although of minor nature like fixing a
loose screw, replace door handles, adding a grab bar over a water closet, fixing
broken floor tile, change a light bulb, etc, have vastly improved the safety
and daily convenience of the elderly. We are only able to help so many families
with the support of professional volunteer workers organized by the Continuing
Care Team of St. James Settlement.
HKU Family Institute
A talk sponsored by the Club and given by Dr. Lee Wai Yung, Director of HKU
Family Institute, for teachers in Hong Kong Island was held on Saturday 16th
October, 2004 at SKH Tang Siu Kin Secondary School.
Shek Kip Mei Lutheran Centre for the Blind路德會石硤尾失明者中心
The Club donated HK$31,752 to the centre to support the purchases of necessary
equipments. The Club has given continuous support to the centre since 1980's.
Society for the Promotion of Hospic
Care Charity Concert
The Club donated HK$10,000 to support the concert which was held on 3 December
2004, sponsoring a number of elderly people from nursery homes to attend the
concert.
Day Camp for PLK & SCH children
and minor ethnic group families in January 2005
The Club donated HK$10,110 for underprivileged children and their families to
enjoy a day's sport activities and lunch in the camping sites of the Hong Kong
Adventurist Corp in Sai Kung Man Yee Reservoir. Almost 80 children, their parents
and teachers were entertained by volunteer cadet coaches of the HK Adventurist
Corp, our long-term participating partner for this activity.
Provide hot water heaters for the Elderly
The club donated electric water heaters and have them installed in 30 single
and couple elderly families. This project is another that helps improve the
safety and convenience of the elderlies daily living..
Sponsor the Employment Resource Corner of the Tin Shui Wai Women Assoication
Centre
The Tin Shui Wai area is known for its family and employment problems. To help
alleviate these problems The Club donated HK$50,000 to the TSW Women Association
in support of their employment skill improvement installations and activities
in their new Centre, which started operations in first quarter of 2006.
Evangel Children's Home
The Club donated HK$50,000 to support the Evangel Children's Home in publishing
10,000 DVD copies to celebrate their 50th Anniversary. The purpose was to disseminate
their services and promote the concept of inclusion of the underprivileged in
the community. Premiere of the DVD was held on Sunday 12th March, 2006 in Chiang
Chen Studio Theatre, Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
Scholarship and Bursaries for female students of Open University
The Club donates every year 2 to 4 bursary grants totaling HK$20,000 to female
students with financial difficulties as recommended by the Open University.
From 2005 the Club also donates a $5,000 scholarship to a female student who
excels academically.
The Club also sponsored $30,000 for 350 women to participate in a self-taught training programme organized by the Open University.
Report from Social Service Committee (2002 - 2004)
Co-Chairmen: Margaret Chan, Nancy
Chan, Kathy Tam (2003-2004)
Betty Fu, Jackie Ma, Kathy Tam (2002-2003)
As a service organisation, we pledge to serve the community by sponsoring worthwhile
social service projects. Where appropriate, Zontians also take part in organizing
the project and involve members of our Z Clubs. In the last biennium, we have
supported the following projects:
Concert for the Young at Heart
Jointly organised with the HK Federation of Women Lawyers, a music and dance
competition for the elderly in the Eastern District was held on 5 October 2002
with some participating groups coming from other districts. Apart from awards
to winners, all participants were each given a packet of souvenirs including
some food items.
Safety Alarm System for the
Elderly
We donated $250,000 to the HK Senior Citizens Association for installing safety
alarm systems in the homes of 100 elderly people. Once activated, the system
will enable them to call a 24-hour hotline service center for help in case of
need. As part of the project, Zontians visited some senior citizens' homes in
Kwun Tong to distribute blankets and jackets.
2002 Green Walk
To help launch a Waste Separation Scheme in all kindergartens and day nurseries
in Hong Kong, we organized a Green Walk on 15 December 2002 to raise funds and
donated $150,000 for the scheme.
Day Camp - Friendship and Harmony
In collaboration with the Hong Kong Adventure Corps, we organized a Day Camp
at the High Island Training Camp on 9 March 2003 for a group of newly arrived
children and Nepalese children. The objective was to promote a healthy life
style and to cultivate a sense of friendship and harmony among the participants.
The Day Camp was thoroughly enjoyed by the children, their families, participating
Zontians and members of our Z Clubs.
Scholarships
With an annual grant of $20,000 towards the Zonta NT Bursary Award, we continued
to support four women students studying at the Open University.
We commenced a new scholarship scheme in 2002 sponsoring 3 members of the Hong Kong Adventure Corps who enrolled in local universities. On completion of the degree, the members are encouraged to serve as trainers in the Corps to train up new cadets. Zonta NT donated the sum of HK$10,000 per year towards this scheme.
Skek Kip Mei Lutheran Centre
for the Blind, 35th Anniversary Ceremony
Our club has worked with and supported the centre since 1987. Zonta NT members
attended the Centre's 35th anniversary ceremony on 18 Oct 2003 to share the
happy occasion with them. Our President Mrs. Winnie Wong presented the Centre
with a cheque for HK$40,000 to help upgrade the equipment and facilities of
the Centre.
NTWC Community Health Promotion
Programme (Healthy School Project)
To increase the knowledge of students and the community in both physical and
psycho-social health concepts and to better prepare them to face infectious
diseases in the future, NTWC hospitals and the Centre of Health Education and
Health Promotion of CUHK jointly organised the Healthy School Project. In this
connection, a kick off ceremony cum half-day seminar was held on 27 September
2003 at Tuen Mun Hospital, attended by teachers, students and their parents
in Tuen Mun, Yuen Long and Tin Shui Wai districts.
Zonta NT donated the sum of HK$10,000 in support of this project.
St. James' Settlement
Twenty-four elderly, recipients of Comprehensive Social Security Assistance,
were delighted to have electric water heaters installed in their homes., thus
obviating the need to boil water for their baths and minimizing the chance of
catching cold, especially in the winter season. We donated these 24 heaters
through St. James' Settlement at a total cost of HK$36,480.
Sunbeam Children's Foundation
Ltd.
The plight of Yu-hua touched our hearts. She is a 6 year-old child from Guangdong
suffering from Leukemia and was receiving treatment at the Zhong Shan University
Hospital No. 1, Guangzhou. We donated HK$10,000 to this life-saving project.
Her condition has improved since receiving various medical treatments.
Evangel Children's Home
Members of Zonta NT visited the Home on 18 December 2003 to join their Christmas
Party and on 27 March 2004 to meet with children who were boarders at this Home.
We were pleased that the Home provided a warm and happy family environment for
these socially disadvantaged children, some with traumatic family experiences.
Despite their background, these cheerful children confidently displayed their
talents in music, art, poetry and cooking during our visit.
We donated a sum of $3,000 to sponsor Christmas gifts for the children.
We also contributed a sum of HK$38,400 in aid of the Home's "Train the Trainers" project.
Mother's Day Concert
We co-sponsored 200 tickets of a Mother's Day Concert, organized by "香港中國民族聲樂學會",
for single-parent mothers, newly arrived families and members of the blind center.
All of them enjoyed a memorable evening of love and joy.
HKU Family Institute (HKUFI)
HKUFI is a community based, trans-disciplinary training, research and service
centre dedicated to family oriented clinical practice in Hong Kong. The institution
has a reputation for treatment of complex school cases using a family oriented
approach.
We donated HK$50,000 to this institute for a project called "A Training
Package for School Systems to Help Children with Behavioral and Emotional Problems".
This project, targeting teaching professionals, consists of a half-day seminar
and is aimed at in students' healthy growth and development. In addition, there
is a four-hour workshop to demonstrate live cases in order to enhance participants'
understanding of the impact of family life on students, thus enabling the participants
to detect early family problems that affect students' performance and behavior.
It is expected that over 500 teaching professionals will benefit from this project.
Sowers Action （苗圃行動 )
Sowers Action is a charitable organisation in Hong Kong aiming at helping children
in poverty-stricken remote part of China who cannot afford to go to school.
Through Sowers Action, Zonta NT co-sponsored with 中國青少年發展基金會 to provide total
funding of RMB297,000 towards the construction of a primary school in貴州省施秉縣牛大場鎮石橋村.
Our share amounted to RMB200,000. The school will be named'清石新界崇德社助學長征苗圃希望小學'.
A cheque presentation ceremony was held on 21 May 2004 at the Zonta NT Installation Ceremony.
