They Ate Less So She Could Have More

With Ka-Wei and her mentor, Cheng Oi-Jan

I met Ka-Wei a few weeks ago when I visited our Tin Shui Wai Centre which serves disadvantaged children. She is the eldest of five children and has the typical strong personality of a 15-year-old.  Rebellion against authority seems to come naturally for children of this age, and Ka- Wei was no exception.

Because her parents earn low wages and struggle to supply the needs of their large family despite getting Comprehensive Social Security Assistance, they naturally insisted that Ka-Wei should study hard and make the most of her opportunities.

Ka-Wei said, "I thought their demands were unfair and felt that they weren’t doing their best for me."

Fortunately, because her parents received Social Security, Ka-Wei was eligible to join the Child Development Fund programme.  The good news is that she is now taking advantage of the opportunities before her. She told us, "Before I joined the programme, I rebelled against my parents and couldn’t see that they were suffering because of poverty.  But when they promised to save HK$200 a month so I could participate in the programme, I began to notice that there was less food on the table at mealtimes and they ate less. It struck me that they were eating less to save money! From that day onwards my attitude changed. I realized that they had always given their best for me."

Students from families receiving Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (or Student Financial Aid) who wish to join the Child Development Fund, are required to save HK$200 monthly. This money is matched by Christian Action, with the HK government adding a further 30% at the end of the second year. During the three-year duration of the programme, we provide a mentor to help guide each student as he or she decides on extra curricular activities that would develop their personal skills and also be the most beneficial way to use their parents’ precious savings.

Before Ka-Wei joined the programme she had never thought about a career, or that her performance at school would effect her future. Now her attitude is very different.

She said, "Before I joined the programme I used to spend my pocket money on frivolous luxuries, now I often use it to help meet household expenses." Then she adds with a big smile, "I also study much harder!"

I hope that Ka-Wei will also get excited about being the first person in her family to get a tertiary education!

And I hope you will continue to stand with Christian Action as we work to ensure that children like Ka-Wei honour the sacrifices that loving parents make for their children - especially those parents who must eat less so that their children may have a better future.