Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong

Since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, local schools have adopted online courses and live-streamed classes, in an effort to “suspend classes without suspending learning.” However, students from low-income families are struggling with problems like a lack of computer equipment, connectivity, and hardware and software support, making it hard for them to keep up with online learning. This on-going situation will also have profound long-term impacts on the physical and mental development of these children.

To respond to the needs of these grass-roots students and offer immediate support to families in need, the Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong’s Jordan Centre and Shek Kip Mei Centre have developed and introduced the “Learn from Home – Youth Online Learning Support Scheme,” (“the Scheme”), supported by other charitable organisations including the Rotaract Club of Kai Tak and the Hong Kong Single Parents Association.

The Scheme is also being sustained by the generosity of the Chinachem Group – their donation of a HK$240,000 cash grant was used to purchase 53 computers and associated e-learning accessories, materials which have benefited more than 50 families to date.

The Scheme has also received a number of contributions from both individuals and organisations, including HK$70,000 from the Classic Car Club of Hong Kong and assistance received from the West Kowloon Baptist Church, which enabled the Scheme to purchase an additional 12 laptop computers. In addition, ABN AMRO Bank NV, ACC Charitable Foundation Limited, and “Thousand Miles Run for Good” have between them donated 34 desktop and laptop computers, 120 computer accessories, 200 data SIM cards, and pocket Wi-Fi devices.

Many other individuals and organisations have also offered help and support, and there are other donors too numerous to name. Since the Scheme launched in November 2020, over 100 primary students from low-income families in Yau Tsim Mong District, Shek Kip Mei and Sham Shui Po have been the beneficiaries of this outpouring of generosity.

One of these students is Lau, a Form 1 student living in Shek Kip Mei Estate. Prior to becoming part of the Scheme, Lau used his mobile phone to attend online classes, since his computer was out of date. But, due to the phone’s small screen and a slow internet connection, Lau was unable to properly focus on his classes, which greatly affected his school performance.

After receiving a package from the Scheme with a laptop computer, up-to-date software and a data SIM card, Lau no longer has to deal with technical difficulties in his online classes, and he can use his computer to attend classes, conduct research and participate in other learning-related activities. Lau’s mother is extremely grateful for the assistance the Scheme has provided. She told us that due to financial problems, she was simply unable to buy a computer for her son and has been upset about this for a long time. Thanks to the Scheme, Lau now has the resources that he needs and is able to attend online classes under ideal conditions. In turn, this is boosting his learning progress.

The Scheme aims to help other grass-roots students like Lau who are struggling with online learning due to resource limitations of one kind or another – such as having no computer or an obsolete one, having no internet access, or suffering from a persistently slow internet speed and other technical difficulties.

The beneficiary students receive a standard package with a laptop computer, suitable software and a data SIM card. The Scheme also provides three months of online support services which include homework tutorials, learning classes, a counselling service and extra-curricular activities for students in need.

While the Scheme has enjoyed great success so far, this success has only been possible because of the generous support of the donors mentioned above. In addition to their cash donation, the Chinachem Group also arranged volunteer teams to provide students with IT support. As the pandemic rolls on, the Scheme will continue, offering assistance to students between the ages of eight and 15 from grass-roots families in Yau Tsim Mong District, Shek Kip Mei and Sham Shui Po. Priority will be given to single-parent families and children living in sub-divided units.

The Scheme is also expanding – we are now actively seeking to collect tablet computers for primary school children in the same areas. The aim is to help lower secondary school students and young children from families in financial difficulty start learning online as soon as possible.

The YOL Youth Influencer Training Programme, jointly organised by the Association and the Hong Kong Association of Banks, has now entered the video sharing and voting stage. In this stage, called “My Favourite / Like Short Film Awards,” twelve short films produced by the participants were published on the Association’s Facebook page beginning on 22 December 2020. The themed videos feature the personal experiences of experts and opinion leaders in the fields of financial management, Fintech, entrepreneurship, sports, sustainable development, volunteerism, and more.

Stay tuned to our Facebook page for progress reports, and don’t forget to like and vote for your favourite video!

The voting rules for the My Favourite / Like Short Film Awards stage are as follows:

1. All “likes” given on the Facebook page by the public within the first 14 days will be counted;
2. The official number of “likes” in each video will be determined by the Association;
3. A winner will be selected by the number of votes on the videos on the Association’s Facebook page in conjunction with a judging panel.

The Chinese YMCA recently participated in the production of a Community Involvement Broadcasting Services series called “Youth Studio.” The programme explores the challenges facing young people today and policies that they are particularly concerned about. The hosts seek out information, stories and data related to these issues, both locally and overseas, and then air the collective views. The programme aims to enhance public understanding of “the millennial mindset” and what young people expect these days. Youth Studio is produced by the Association’s Strategy & Development Department with a staff member acting as the host. The first episode was aired on 8 January, with the topic being “The Daily Lives of Ethnic Minority Youths.”

There will be a total of 13 episodes in the first season of Youth Studio. The show is broadcast every Friday from 8:30-9 pm on AM621. Don’t miss it!

To -listen to previous broadcasts, please follow this link:
https://www.rthk.hk/radio/pth/programme/g1051_youth_studio

The Association’s “Realise Love Realise Dreams” project has been running since 2012, gathering resources and donations from society to help realise the hopes and dreams of underprivileged members of our community. Thanks to generous donations from caring people and organisations, the Foundation has helped many people in need.

As with so many of us, the pandemic has changed the dreams and desires of the underprivileged. For instance, reliable computer equipment and internet access have now become the biggest desire for many elderly people, as online interaction with friends is the only way they are able to socialise while stuck at home. Recently, a benevolent person donated three brand-new tablet computers to three elderly people between the ages of 80 and 99 through the programme, allowing them to use video calls to communicate with our social workers and their friends. You too can bring hope and help to the underprivileged – act now to help to bring their dreams to life!

The “Realise Love Realise Dreams” Foundation
Service targets: Underprivileged members of our community
Scope of assistance: Resource sponsoring, donations, volunteering to help bring the dreams and needs of specific people to life
For enquiries: call 2783 3370
Website：https://www.ymca.org.hk/en/realiselove