[ ‘SHARE’ Jan-Feb 2014 – Who Is Willing to Be Their Neighbour? ] FOCUS ~ SOCIAL CONCERN
Interviewed and written by> Jojo & Tiffany
In September 2013 the HKSAR Government has set the poverty line for Hong Kong to be 50% of median monthly household income, and the Policy Address in January 2014 has announced a series of poverty amelioration measures. A poverty line may help the Government set appropriate poverty alleviation policies, but data and a line cannot define or reflect the real situation of poverty and the voices and expectations of marginalised groups.
The three interviewees below are from different origins and backgrounds. You may see from their sharing how the personal experiences and life expectations of different social groups among them display the uniqueness in life value that is beyond numbers and a line.
[ ‘SHARE’ Jul-Aug 2013 – Burying Seeds ] STEP INTO THE WORLD
The 2013 Yaan Earthquake destroyed the area’s infrastructure and traumatised hundreds of victims. In May, CEDAR’s China Project staff visited them in the Shuangshi Township of Lushan County and noticed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms such as insomnia, angry outbursts and irritability.
Shuangshi Township is a remote hilly district which lags behind in economic growth; the young work in the cities leaving behind the aged, women and children. Lacking medical care, the elderly constantly worry about their health. The women are uneducated and without community support, looking after their children is a lonely and arduous task. The earthquake further caused psychological traumas, so the villagers badly need care and counselling.
Granted funding by the HKSAR Government’s Disaster Relief Fund Advisory Committee, CEDAR has started the second phase of relief resources distribution. The later reconstruction stage aims to help PTSD sufferers by providing psychological and community support through referrals and counselling, community aid and support groups, and community education events.
[1] CEDAR is an approved charitable institutions and trusts of a public character under section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance. Please click Inland Revenue Department website to check for details. [2] Donations over $100 are tax deductible in Hong Kong with our receipts. [3] Please DO NOT fax any donation information.
Contact Method
Tel>23819627 Fax>23922777 Email>sharing@cedarfund.org Add>G.P.O. Box 3212Hong Kong
▲ CEDAR is a member of Integral Alliance, responding to disasters worldwide in partnership with Christian relief agencies around the world: www.integralalliance.org
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ:
An earthquake measuring 7 on the Richter scale on 20 April struck Lushan County in Yaan, Sichuan, promptly bringing back the memory of Wenchuan quake five years ago. However, the public media soon turn their focus on whether HKSAR government should grant China 100 million HKD relief fund and the integrity of relief and development agencies. Also many people said, ‘I would not donate any of my money to this relief work.’ These made a huge contrast with the past active response of Hong Kong people to emergency relief, concern for the hardships and needs of victims and touching stories with compassion.
