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Chairperson's Remarks
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Mr. Frank Wong, the new chairperson
of HAC.
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To all the supporters of the HAC,
This is my maiden report following
my appointment as Chairman of the HAC. I would like to express
my gratitude towards our outgoing chairperson, Prof. Gwendolyn
Gong, for her devoted leadership over the past nine years,
which has seen the HAC grow from strength-to-strength. Children
and parents from grassroots families have benefited from various
developmental programmes and training under Prof. Gong's leadership,
and I am extremely pleased to confirm that she will remain
to be our honorable advisor and continue to provide her valuable
advice to the HAC.
Looking forward, we shall continue
to provide suitable services to children, with focus being
put on storytelling and creative games. We shall also work
closely with our caring partners in helping children to become
well-rounded successors of the future.
- Professional Storytelling Service
In 2006, HAC established "Storyland". Since then, storytelling
has become the most significance service of HAC. Last year,
HAC conducted a survey on 'the impact of storytelling activities
in building parent-child relationship in Hong Kong'. The
survey found that parents who joined the storytelling workshops
benefitted from better parent-child relationships and intimacy
with their children, as compared to those parents who did
not receive similar training. The survey was selected and
released in the '2010 Joint World Conference on Social Work
and Social Development'. We were honoured to have the chance
to share our valuable experience with experts and scholars
from all over the world.
This year, by invitation of the 'Conference on Children's
Theatre Arts in Asia (Hong Kong)', our representative
held a storytelling workshop, sharing our experience with
practitioners from a host of countries, including Taiwan,
Singapore and Manila, etc. I believe this reflects the recognition
from the international social welfare sector toward the
works of the HAC.
Chairperson telling a story
to children members. |
- Reading Sowers in the Community
In 2009-2010, our trained staff continued to visit public
libraries, kindergartens, primary schools and the Hong Kong
Institute of Vocational Education ("IVE") to train teachers
and parents, equipping them with techniques on storytelling.
As a result, children enjoyed the fun of reading and a closer
relationship with their parents. By the end of 2010, HAC
aims to conduct 22 storytelling workshops in Kwun Tong Community
Libraries, helping more parents on the field of creative
storytelling.
- Deepening Service Scope
We will focus more on the psycho-social development of children
in the coming year. With the generous support from our long
term partner, Societe Generale, we will extend our service
to a group of children with hearing impairment and their
parents by the fourth quarter of 2010. New methods and techniques
of storytelling will be assessed on children and families
with special needs.
Chairperson presents long term
service awards to Ms. May Wong, Executive Director
(right) and Ms. Winnie Yu, Centre-in-Charge of Chuk
Yuen Centre. |
- Benefited from Additional Financial Grant
In 2009-2010, HAC, as a small NGO, received an additional
10% grant from the government under the lump-sum grant policy.
To make good use on the grant, we hired an administrative
staff to help out with the internal audit tasks, which saw
our services being provided in a more efficient and smooth
way. Between 2010-2012, HAC may also receive additional
benefits from the Welfare Development Fund, which we plan
to use on staff training in management and creativity, and
to arrange study tours. Both frontline and management staff
stand to benefit from the scheme.
On behalf of the HAC, I would like to take this opportunity
to express our gratitude towards the continuous support
from government officials, caring corporate partners, local
leaders and volunteers for their warm hearts in serving
needy children in Hong Kong. With your continuing support,
our staff will continue to realise our mission, 'Cherish
our Children, Cultivate our Community'.
A Paired reading programme between
volunteers and children. |
Frank Wong
Chairperson
March 2010
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