YMCA 2024 January Perspective
26-01-2024
Cover StorySupporting youth mental health
Teenage suicide is a worrying phenomenon. The Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong (YMCA) understands the immense pressure and challenges that teenagers, parents, and even teachers and social workers are facing. YMCA launched "H3 Project", a youth mental health support scheme, recently to allow teachers, social workers and parents to understand teenagers’ need for the three "H"s - "Here x Hear x Hug". Through these key deeds, we will embark on an exploration of the other three "H"s in life - "Hope x Health x Happiness".
"Time Still Turns The Pages" Sharing Session: Reminding educators to care for students through movie story
The movie "Time Still Turns the Pages" depicts a heartbreaking scene of teenage suicide. It pushes us to reflect as adults how we should be a guide and companion to teenagers. YMCA Counselling Unit held a "Time Still Turns the Pages" screening and sharing session especially for principals, teachers and social workers in December 2023. Mr. Nike Cheuk Yik-him, the film director and screenwriter was invited to attend and share his journey in creating the movie, as well as his views on youth mental health. A sincere word of care, a pair of attentive ears and a warm hug can be the remedy to teenagers struggling around you.
Developing mood detox remedies with Chinese medicine practitioners and counsellors
How do you self-soothe when you are distressed? YMCA's Kei Yau Integrated Medical Centre and the Counselling Unit jointly organised a "Medicine-Free Healing" seminar, where Ms. Ko-lam, YMCA's Senior Registered Chinese Medicine Practitioner, and Ms. Esther Yip Sze-nga, Centre-In-Charge of the YMCA's Counselling Unit shared soothing methods with parents, teachers, social workers and youngsters attending the seminar. The speakers explored the causes of emotional distress and insomnia from the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, while sharing the use of herbal soups, teas and acupoint massage to improve sleep quality and ease distress. The use of flowers to open up one’s five senses is also mentioned to illustrate the importance of self-care.
If you are feeling down, try taking a sip of herbal tea, massage the shenmen point on your wrist, take a stroll in a flower garden or give yourself a bouquet.
Helping peers through getting to know your own emotions
Take care of yourself, then you can care for those around you.
The "Accompaniment with Empathy" volunteer programme was launched by YM Volunteer Academy this year. Secondary school and university students are invited to form volunteer teams. With the guidance of YMCA counsellors and social workers, participants start from their own experiences and learn to understand their own emotions, be empathetic, listen and de-stress. After practising kindness and strength, volunteers design their service plans with the theme of caring for others and the community.
Spreading care through ice cream
To show our care and support, ice cream is delivered to secondary school students. Together with five partner secondary schools in the district, the Tsuen Wan Centre held three lunchtime mental health sessions. Taking advantage of the spare time after lunch, YMCA social workers led de-stress games and distributed booklets on mental health tips, allowing more than 3,400 secondary school students to understand the sources of stress and the ways to alleviate it, while developing mutual support amongst students when it comes to coping with stress. After the activities, Tsuen Wan Centre arranged an ice cream truck for students to experience joy through dessert.
What's NewsPublishing findings of the Survey on "Sharenting" and Protecting Children's Digital Privacy
Many parents like to upload photos or clips of their children to social media. However, oversharing may have negative outcomes for their children. A survey by YMCA found that more than 80% of surveyed parents shared their children's information on social media platforms. However, nearly 30% of parents never asked for their children's consent before doing so. More than 40% of students expressed that they are embarrassed by the sharing, and nearly 30% were annoyed. Details of the survey results can be viewed on our website: https://bit.ly/3tO14PH
YMCA held a press conference on 14 January to publish the survey findings, which resulted in more than 20 media outlets features. YMCA reminds parents to stop and think before pressing “share”. Before uploading photos of your children, take a moment to consider what needs you are trying to fulfill. Also, parents should seek children's consent before sharing any information about them.
The Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao Sister School Signing Ceremony
The Education Bureau launched the Sister School Scheme in 2004 to promote exchange and cooperation between the Mainland and Hong Kong. Its aim is to deepen the ties between the two regions, while promoting the development of schools and broadening the horizons of students through friendly exchanges and diverse professional exchange.
The Chinese Y.M.C.A. Primary School (CYMCAPS) and the Dongguan Hanlin Experimental School successfully paired as sister schools this year. Hanlin is a public boarding school that integrates primary, junior secondary, senior secondary and international education. Its diverse teaching percept is very much similar to that of the CYMCAPS. This is an important milestone in the exchange between Guangdong and Hong Kong. Through diverse and professional exchanges, friendship between the two schools is sure to develop.
Principal Lo King-chu, the CYMCAPS acting principal, met with Hanlin's General Principal Feng Haiying at the "Guangdong-Hong Kong- Macao Sister School Contract Signing Ceremony 2023/24" organised by the Education Bureau and the Department of Education Guangdong Province. During the exchange, the two shared school cultures and management philosophies. Hanlin presented school souvenirs, including works from students that exemplified their school culture to mark the occasion.
Outstanding Service Award Scheme 2023
To commend excellent service projects devised by our colleagues, promote inter-departmental and group collaboration while sharing service experience and takeaways, the YMCA has set up the “Outstanding Service Award Scheme” to encourage continued excellence. After a thorough interview and selection process, the 2023 awardees are the following:
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Award |
Programme |
Service Unit |
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First Prize, Inner-cooperation Award |
“Connection” Youth Mental Health Level Up Programme |
Jordan Centre |
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Second Prize |
“LEAD,Elite"-Volunteer leadership training |
Shek Kip Mei Centre |
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Third Prize and Innovative Award |
"Moving forward from the pandemic": ADHD students and family support programme |
Youth Leadership, International & Mainland Affairs Service |
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Merit Award |
Legendary Lives Appreciation Collection |
Home of Love-Sheltered Workshop and Hostel |
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Merit Award |
YM Athlete APP Therapeutic Support Scheme |
Integrated Medical & Allied Health Services Department |
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Excellent Award |
"ChilDrénMon GO” Joint-U Sports Challenge |
University & College YMCA Department |
Featured ActivityLunar New Year Outing: Wu Kai Sha Youth Village Open Day
on the 3rd day of the Lunar New Year
Wu Kai Sha Youth Village’s yearly open day will be held on 12 February (the 3rd day of the Lunar New Year). For only $20, visitors can enjoy a variety of camp facilities (including barbecue ground, recreation rooms, basketball courts, football fields, badminton courts and children's playgrounds, etc.) and activities (including trampolines, cornhole, Roundnet, Mölkky, pickleball, floor curling and ironing beads etc). Visitors will get to take part in a variety of water and field sports, visit a market with 70 stalls, join self-funded activities (including bungee trampoline, go-karting, rock climbing, branch keychain-making, string art, etc.), and experience Lunar New Year's photo setups for taking photos. Additionally, there will be a performance by the world champion of fancy rope skipping, a magic show, and a Chinese lion dance by Home of Love-Yung Shing Hostel. Visitors will receive a small Lunar New Year's gift upon entry.
Date: 12 February 2024 (Monday)
Time: 10:30 am - 5:30 pm
Location: Wu Kwai Sha Youth Village (2 On Chun Street, Ma On Shan, Sha Tin, New Territories)
Tickets: $20 (no pre-sale tickets)
*BBQ spots are on a first-come, first-served basis
*Parking fee for each entry and exit of the campground is $100. All proceeds will be used for charity.
Programme HighlightUniversity and College YMCAs 20th Anniversary Gala Dinner
The University and College YMCA Department held the 20th Anniversary Gala Dinner on 1 December, 2023. Hon Kenneth Leung Yuk-wai, JP, the Vice-Chairman of the Youth Development Commission and Member of the Legislative Council, Dr. Arnold Cheng Cheuk-sang, President of the YMCA, Rt. Rev. Dr. Thomas Soo, JP, Director of the YMCA, Dr. Eddie K.W. Ho, Chairman of University & College YMCA Committee, Mr. Karl Lau Chun-chuen, General Secretary of the YMCA and Mr. Oscar Ho Wang-him, youth representative of the World Alliance of YMCAs attended as officiating guests of the dinner. The department's 20-year progress was presented through videos, alumni interviews, exhibitions and mini-games. The "20+" online fundraising continued offline as a booth. The dinner has brought together more than 350 guests, past student leaders and families as an occasion of exchange and networking.
German cultural exchange
Inspired by German culture, the Kornhill Centre held a "German Fest" on 2 December, 2023, to recreate German festive cheer for centre and community members. Activities of the day included Halli Galli, the traditional card game, festival barrel rolling contest, German specialty workshops such as pig knuckle making and gummy bear DIY, as well as sharing sessions from German trainees. Apart from games and workshops, attendees interacted with trainees to learn more about their history and culture. Not only does the culture fair series enhance members’ understanding of different countries, but it also encourages the YMCA to continue developing its presence internationally and promote cultural integration. We hope to continue bringing more unique cultural experiences in the near future.
Singing Contest
A singing contest was held jointly by the Chai Wan Centre and the Chinese Foundation Secondary School on 2 December, 2023. The contest was officiated by the District Officer (Eastern), Mr. Simon Chan, JP, and supported by representatives from local groups and parent-teacher associations. Celebrated Cantonese opera singers and pop singers were invited to perform traditional Cantonese opera and popular tunes. The centre’s parent-child volunteer team and the school’s social service team collaborated to prepare gift bags and refreshments. Serving a total of more than 200 elderly and locals, the event conveyed our blessings through music.
Donation from the MTR of a retired train carriage to the Chinese Y.M.C.A. primary school
CYMCAPS students took part in the “MLR train - Wan Chai Harbourfront” opening ceremony on 20 December 2023 to witness a retired East Rail Line Mid-Life Refurbishment train car (also known as "Fly Head" trains) transforming into a new landmark on the Wan Chai harbourfront. Because the CYMCAPS has joined the MTR's "Legacy Train Revitalisation Programme", the school is expecting a donation of a retired train carriage, which will be renovated for teaching and activity purposes. The carriage can be utilised in engineering, mathematics, urban planning curricula, while its display can raise academic interest and promote the importance of railway conservation.
PAIN Kick Zone
As city dwellers who often work overtime and frequently perform repetitive motions, we are more susceptible to joint pain or sports injuries that can affect our quality of life. The Association’s Health Care Professions Department is launching a regular monthly column and publishing short articles about self-care. Topics covered will include arthritis, joint pain and self-healing. For more detailed health-related information, please visit our website www.ymca.org.hk/hcp or call 2783 3616 for inquiries.
Knee Osteoarthritis
Knee Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common ailment among the elderly. A healthy joint consists of cartilage and synovial fluid, which are crucial in reducing friction between knee joints when moving. A knee joint with osteoarthritis has thinner cartilage with mutated synovial fluid. When the joint is moved, immense pain is felt due to bones grinding on each other. Doctors often recommend the elderly to minimise movements that put a heavy load on their joints. This is sometimes misinterpreted as an advice to not move their joints. Instead, we should continue to perform the proper kinds of exercises regularly to strengthen our joints. With strengthened knees, walking downstairs will place less stress and damage on the joints, slowing down the deterioration of the knees. Here are two beginner exercises often used to strengthen your knees. If pain is experienced during these workouts, please consult your physiotherapist or doctor.
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Start in a supine lying position, bend your knee by moving your foot along the floor. Extend your legs again. Repeat for 10-12 times every day.
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Standing up with body lean forward. Sitting down slowly with good eccentric control. 10-12 times every day.
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