Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong

The coronavirus pandemic is now spreading rapidly across the world, creating devastating effects on economies and livelihoods everywhere. Here in Hong Kong, people from all walks of life, including the business, entertainment and academic sectors, as well as local social enterprises and charitable organisations are generously donating all kinds of hygiene-related products and daily necessities. Many of them have volunteers who are serving the needy alongside staff of YMCA, helping to mitigate misery and spread hope as we all fight this pandemic.

Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong is committed to building a civil and compassionate city by uniting people with the same spirit to extend the Kingdom of God. During this challenging period, we have harnessed the power of our Y-Care CSR partners, who include Hang Seng Bank, Hong Kong Hachiban Limited, Arredamentic Company Limited (Giormani) and the QBE Foundation to reach out the disadvantaged.

We have also approached the HKJC Charities Trust, the Koo Tin Lok Charitable Foundation, the Hong Kong Medical Association, the Sharing of Amazing Life Charity Association Limited and People On Board Social Enterprise Ltd. for donations or sponsorships of masks, hand sanitizer, household bleach, food, and other daily necessities. We also recently formed volunteer teams who provide support and guidance to those in need by phone and a tutor group which offers online homework assistance to students from families in need to help take care of their educational needs while schools are closed.

Providing emergency services for urgent needs
Ah Lai lives in a subdivided flat with four other family members. They have all been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic: both she and her husband are facing pay cuts while struggling to purchase overpriced masks and other hygiene-related products. “Since the start of the outbreak, my husband and I have not worked regularly. This is putting significant financial pressure on our household income, which has dropped by more than half. I am experiencing stress because I have to purchase protective items and the children are irritated and bored as they can’t go out to play. The five of us are just staying here in this tiny space and I’m beginning to run out of patience. Our parent-child relationship is worse than it was before,” Ah Lai told us.

After learning about and acknowledging the needs of Ah Lai, our front-line social workers immediately teamed up with volunteers to provide her and her family with daily necessities and hygiene-related items, as well as children’s books and toys collected from the community. Meanwhile, they also arranged online tutorials for Ah Lai’s children to ensure they keep learning from home. “I’m deeply grateful to YMCA for providing us with help during this difficult time”, she said. “Thank you so much for bringing me and my family warmth and positive feelings. I hope that the coronavirus will be controlled as soon as possible so that all our lives can get back on track,” Ah Lai concluded.

Serving vulnerable groups with all our hearts
The coronavirus pandemic is also making life even tougher for people like Mr Lai, who suffers from hearing impairment and vision loss. “There is no sign language interpretation on the TV news, and I can barely read the subtitles, which means it’s difficult for me to fully understand the situation,” he says. “Before, I only knew that I needed to wear a mask, and until recently I had been visiting restaurants without knowing the risks. Also, due to the shortage of masks, my wife and I had been wearing the same mask for days. I didn’t know about the importance of cleaning my hands for 20 seconds or cleaning the house with 1:99 diluted household bleach solution. I thought the coronavirus was just like the flu – I had no idea that it was so contagious until I was informed by social workers.“

The coronavirus outbreak has caused panic and anxiety in almost everyone in Hong Kong – and indeed around the world. In addition to the shortage of hygiene supplies, many are facing a drop in wages and other impacts on almost every aspect of their lives. To encourage the public to continue serving others during this difficult time, we have developed a webpage with helpful hygiene tips, simple stay-at-home workouts and emotional support videos. We have also launched the YM Volunteer @ Home initiative which encourages everyone to use videos, texts or pictures to send love and positive energy out to the community.

Enhancing hygiene levels of YMCA outlets to fight the pandemic
In addition to distributing hygiene-related supplies to those in need and publishing relevant health tips and information, we have also stepped up our hygiene practices across the board. All service centres and accommodations have adopted comprehensive measures such as daily deep cleaning with disinfectant, measuring the temperature of service users, strengthening the cleanliness at our restaurants, including keeping a large distance between tables to implement social distancing. These measures will reduce the risks of contracting an infection and of spreading the disease, helping to give service users peace of mind and protecting all of Hong Kong from this terrible disease.

Click the following link for helpful hygiene tips and to browse our anti-epidemic information website.

To raise more resources to help the needy during these difficult times, Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong has enhanced the publicity of our “Realise Love, Realise Dreams” Foundation, enabling the public to make donations. Upon receipt of the funds, we will match the amount with those in need to support their relief, such as the foreseeable issue in unemployment. We encourage all our members and corporations to consider making a donation to the “Realise Love, Realise Dreams” Foundation today. Please click here to learn about the various ways you can contribute.

Due to the outbreak of coronavirus, The Walking Football Association (WFA) has announced that the First Walking Football World Cup is postponed to May 2021. And the preparation of our walking football delegates will resume after the epidemic is stable. Details of the event will be further announced. For inquiries, please call 2783 3636.