Rooted in Tin Shui Wai for Three Decades United in Love, Self-Awareness, Ingenuity and Heroism

Group photo of all attendees

The officiating guests were Mr Chris Sun Yuk Han, Secretary for Labour and Welfare; the Most Revd Andrew Chan, Archbishop and Primate of HKSKH; the Most Revd Dr Paul Kwong, Archbishop Emeritus of HKSKH; and Mr Poon Siu Chi, Member of the Executive Committee of the Welfare Council. Together, they witnessed an important milestone marking the two service units’ three decades of dedicated work in the community and extended their heartfelt blessings.

Remaining True, Growing Together with Tin Shui Wai

Thirty years ago, Tin Shui Wai was still in the early stages of its development as a new town. Recognising the needs of the community, the Welfare Council and clergy of the Diocese established St Matthias’ Integrated Services and Ha Shui Wan Nursery School with foresight. Following the example of Jesus Christ and his spirit of servant leadership, the two units quietly accompanied the residents of Tin Shui Wai as they grew and worked alongside them to build their community.

In her welcoming address, Mrs Patricia Lau, CEO of the Welfare Council, expressed her gratitude for the support received from different sectors over the years. She reviewed the development of the two units, shared stories of former service users and pupils, and looked ahead to the Welfare Council’s continued expansion of services in the Northern Metropolis in response to the needs of local residents.

Mr Sun also delivered an encouraging address. He described the services provided by the Welfare Council at the St Matthias’ Integrated Services complex in Tin Shui Wai as a pioneering presence in what is now the Northern Metropolis, and affirmed the organisation’s longstanding contribution to the community.

This was followed by a lively presentation by Principal Chak Chi Hong, himself a parent of a former pupil of the Nursery School, together with service users from the two units. Through an engaging theatrical presentation and dance performance, they recounted stories of young children’s learning and development, the awakening and growth of young people, and the transformation of families. Their performances brought to life the vitality and warmth that have taken root in the community over the past three decades.

Group photo of Secretary Sun, Archbishop Andrew, Clergy,
management team of the Welfare Council, and representatives of service units

Sowing Seeds, Passing on Core Values

During the celebratory ceremony, Mrs Lau led four young children onto the stage. Representing continuity and the future, each child carried a ‘seed of life’ symbolising one of the Welfare Council’s four core values.

The Rose of Sharon seed, representing Love, symbolised grace, beauty and being deeply cherished. The lily seed, representing Self-Awareness, symbolised purity, trust and awakening. The almond seed, representing Ingenuity, symbolised insight, wisdom and foresight. The saffron crocus seed, representing Heroism, symbolised courage, breakthrough and the determination to explore new frontiers.

The officiating guests joined hands in planting the four seeds in the soil, signifying the firm foundations laid by the two units during their three decades of service in Tin Shui Wai. They then watered the seeds with the ‘water of life’, representing the unceasing grace of God.

Through this symbolic act, they offered their prayers that the four core values would continue to take root in Tin Shui Wai, sprouting and flourishing in the years ahead.

Following the ceremony, the Integrated Services Centre and Nursery School held an open day featuring a range of engaging activities inspired by Love, Self-Awareness, Ingenuity and Heroism. Residents of Tin Shui Wai, service users and alumni were invited to take part.

The Nursery School incorporated its 30th Anniversary celebration into its learning theme for August. At the ‘Love Party’, participants used coloured torches to illuminate a birthday cake and discover hidden images, through which they could express their love for their families. During the ‘Self-Awareness Reflection Activity’, participants entered a natural-timber labyrinth, where they could pause and reflect upon the many moments for which they were grateful. The ‘Ingenuity Board Game’ challenged participants to apply their wisdom as they made their way across a cake-shaped game board designed by the children themselves. In the ‘Heroism Maze’, they had to devise ways of protecting the ‘water of life’.

At the Love booth organised by St Matthias’ Integrated Services, participants selected words of warmth and encouragement to pass on blessings to others, allowing kindness to circulate throughout the community.

Through reflective questions displayed on mirrors, participants were also invited to revisit experiences of failure and frustration, recognise their positive qualities and become more aware of the strengths that could help them grow into better versions of themselves.

At the ‘Ingenuity: Unlocking the Heart’ booth, participants discovered the importance of experimentation, self-confidence and creativity. Finally, the ‘Trial Ground for the Brave’ encouraged them to face the unknown courageously and to discover and strengthen the courage and inner resources already within them. Other experiential activities included a stone-stacking challenge, in which participants took turns placing stones to build a tower. Through repeated attempts, they experienced the importance of perseverance and the courage to embrace challenges.

The ‘BBQ Views on Love’ activity provided a safe and supportive setting in which participants drew questions from a container and responded to one another’s enquiries. The activity encouraged them to reflect upon their boundaries and expectations in romantic relationships, while learning to listen to and understand different perspectives on love.

The organisers presented each guest with a potted plant set upon a wooden base 

As a token of appreciation, the organisers presented each guest with a potted plant set upon a wooden base. The firm and solid wooden base supported a thriving plant, symbolising the hope that every family might be firmly rooted in a loving environment and allow the beauty and colour of life to flourish.

Students from the after-school care service, youth service users and parents of Nursery School pupils also assembled ‘Adventure Torches’ by hand as gifts for the guests. The torches symbolised the courage to explore the future and the light that illuminates the road ahead. They also represented the commitment to accompany young people and children throughout their journeys of growth.

The success of the celebration and open day was made possible by the wholehearted support and enthusiastic participation of service users from both the Integrated Services Centre and Nursery School.

Many service users volunteered to take up important roles, including event photography, professional stage lighting and sound operation, guided tours of the Nursery School led by young pupil ambassadors, and the introduction of activities at individual booths. Their shared efforts bore warm witness to the deep bonds and strong sense of solidarity that have grown within the Tin Shui Wai community over the years.

Secretary Sun tries out the booth games and interacts with young children