Thanks to all donors, friends and partners for supporting the 3-Legged Nordic Walk 2024 in early March. Praise God for the wonderful weather and for the large crowd of participants (both corporate and individuals) for their support to our ministries for the under-privileged families in Hong Kong and the disabled children in Qinghai. Amen.

Our Information and Technology Department has just begun to use an enhanced computer programme regarding the staff's entitlement to paid annual leave. Pray that the system upgrade will enhance our overall work efficiency and productivity. Amen!

Tomorrow is Ching Ming Festival (a.k.a. tomb sweeping day) when Chinese people visit and sweep the tombs of their loved ones. Many of our social services clients will return to the mainland to pay their respects to their ancestors. Please pray for their safe and smooth trip to the mainland and back.

Today is International Children’s Day!
May God’s message be instilled in all Christian hearts to embrace children in need and meditate on the verse, “whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.” Matthew 18:5 Pray that more people will partner with us to support our ministries for the underprivileged children and youth in Hong Kong and Qinghai. Amen!

Today there’s an excursion to the Hong Kong Wetland Park hosted by our Sheung Shui Service Centre for twenty beneficiary children in the vicinity. Please pray that the activity will arouse the awareness of our next generation towards environmental conservation, and their concern for God’s creation in nature.

Due to the economic downturn, we have been diversifying our ways of raising funds. We have successfully connected with some more commercial outlets/retail groups for placing our donation boxes. Pray for our faith in Him to gather a bountiful harvest to sustain our ministries in Hong Kong and Qinghai. Amen!

Today is World Health Day; themed “My health, my right” that advocates for the rights of everyone, everywhere, to have access to quality health services, education, and information, and some basic needs including safe drinking water, clean air, good nutrition, quality housing, decent working and environmental conditions, and freedom from discrimination. Let us pray for wisdom from God for closer global collaboration for the general well-being of humankind and a healthy planet. Amen!

Praise God!
The Café Corner for health carers in the Sheung Shui Centre, served by welfare benefit clients from the Centre as volunteers, was officially opened earlier this month. Hope that the beneficiaries will feel empowered and shed their burden and stress while the volunteers will learn empathy and what the scripture says about serving: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35

Today marks the beginning of the HK Diploma of Secondary Education Examination 2024 (HKDSE). Several of our student mentees from the Child Development Fund Batch 9 (CDF9) will sit for the exam. Pray that all of them will concentrate and work hard to attain their best results.

Our Mong Kok Service Centre has currently submitted a funding proposal for the afterschool support service for children from disadvantaged families. Pray for the application to be approved, and we continue to lessen the burden of disadvantaged families as most of the parents have to work long hours to subsist. Amen!

Please pray for the holistic health of all our staff who face daily challenges of working with the vulnerable, as well as the ups and downs of life, particularly in these challenging times. Let us meditate on the bible verse “Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened and do not be dismayed, for the Lord our God is with us wherever we go.” adapted from Joshua 1:9. Amen!

Today is Eid al-Fitr (a.k.a. Festival of Breaking Fast), which is a Muslim festival. A fair will be held at our Mong Kok Service Centre for our Ethnic Minority (EM) clients. Pray that we continue to promote social and cultural inclusion, and mutual understanding transcending differences in races, cultures, religions, and others through our services. Amen!

Please continue to pray for the successful funding application for the formation of a “Diversity Hub,” a collaborative project of our Centre for Refugees with the University of Hong Kong to set up an archive museum about the EM sector in Hong Kong. Pray for our steadfast conviction in His providence and protection as “Our Father already knows our needs.” Luke 12:30

The EM Youth Ambassador (EMYA) Team carries on its regular outreach activities in different parts of Hong Kong twice a week. Pray that we strive to foster a cohesive and understanding community which upholds cultural integration and mutual respect. Amen!

Our Training Services Division is sponsored to host a job fair titled as “斜動新職能．婦女齊Slash” i.e. “A New Perspective of the Slanting Force; Women Slash” at Amoy Plaza today. It will offer employment opportunities for those looking for jobs or job advancement. Pray that our consistent effort in providing vocational training programmes and job market information for them to pursue their dreams, and contribute to the community with their gifts from God.

Over 60,000 SEN students were streamed into mainstream schools this academic year, accounting for a 5% year-on-year increase. The Education Bureau is considering raising the support to schools and parents of SEN children to buy computer accessories, electronic interactive games, etc. as learning tools. Pray that the related government departments will initiate more demand-oriented innovation policies for the needy; so as to lessen the stress of looking after SEN children.

The Social Enterprise Department is discussing with the Education University of Hong Kong about the arrangement of internship programmes. Pray that both the interns and CA will benefit from the programme as a whole; and they will choose to serve or support our ministries in the future.

Today some mentees from the CDF Long Ping Service Centre together with their mentors and parents will visit Mind Space at Castle Peak Hospital. Pray that the participants will understand and learn more about mental illness, the history of HK mental health services, and cultivate empathy towards the people especially children with mental illness.

Today our Migrant Domestic Workers (MDWs) Service Centre will jointly host with the Indonesian Consulate and other stakeholders a seminar themed image-based sexual violence for the MDWs and related legal protection. Pray that our collaboration with different parties will aid them who have to work far away from their home countries; and that they feel secure and cared for.

This April, our Social Enterprise Department has conducted several green collection initiatives in various private housing estates in our vicinity. Pray that we continue to embrace environmental conservation through our persistent advocacy and effort.

Our Board meeting will be held today. Pray for His direction, protection, and providence for CA through our dedicated board and staff members who embrace our mission and vision for the vulnerable and needy both in HK and Qinghai.

Our EMYA team runs regular game nights for EM clients, including board games and sports activities like dodgeball every Friday. Pray that all youth clients will feel uplifted and adapt to the environment with ease. Amen!

This afternoon, Mrs. Cheung, in her capacity as Chairperson of the Justice and Social Concern Committee (JSCC) under the HK Christian Council (HKCC), will hold a meeting. May God guide her words and steps, and continue to use JSCC for peace and justice within this city.

Sponsored by a funding from now till the year end, we will conduct a series of health talks to promote holistic health of our women clients from the Mong Kok Service Centre from the Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective. The topics covered range from physical health such as breast health, menopause, etc. to mental well-being by raising mindfulness and using stress relief measures like horticultural practice and Chinese herbal tea drinking. May He keep all participants healthy and strong enough to overcome all the challenges ahead.

Today twenty kids from our Mong Kok Service Centre will go to our Jordan Training Centre for some fun time and learn how to bake some cupcakes for their moms on Mother’s Day. Pray that we strive to promote a family connection filled with God’s love and hope. Amen!

The EM children, under the care of our EMYA team, attended different activities like Go-karting and visiting the trampoline park this month. Pray that all the youth clients will improve their interpersonal communication skills and broaden their life horizons through our ministries.

Give thanks! Financed by a funding, our Employment Support Services On Tai Service Centre has launched a programme named “JOY · 乎妳心晴” (i.e. CARE for Your Joyful Temperament) to instill positive thinking and confidence in the lady beneficiaries on welfare benefits. A wide variety of interest classes and skill learning will be conducted to brighten and enrich them. Hopefully, they will enjoy all-round personal development and re-enter the job market soon; and live a life full of joy, colour and vigour.

Subsequent to the overall government review of the CDF (CDF) Programme, in which CA has been participating as a frontline service provider since 2007, a briefing on the programme update was conducted by SWD. Pray for His continuous guidance and provision to help our younger generation from the deprived sector through this impactful programme as we believe what Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14