MAD Update (January 16, 2015)

We intended to start our MAD service project on Tuesday. Rachel and I went to help Mrs. Hunter on Tuesday. However, we didn't know that another MAD group was helping Mrs. Hunter too. So, I went to help Mrs. Wilson instead to even out the number of helpers per teacher. But, we had a few miscommunications and Mrs. WIlson forgot that we were helping on Tuesday. So, we weren't able to help that day.

We're making some changes to our plan. Starting next week, we're helping only Mrs. Wilson every week on Mondays and Tuesdays afterschool. So, two people will be going on Monday and two on Tuesday. We haven't really decided who will go on which day because it depends on who is available.

To improve what we are currently doing, we should communicate better with Mrs. WIlson.

Food Angel - December 30

I went with a few other students to help at a Food Angel in Sham Shui Po. I was under 16, so I couldn't help in the kitchen. I was fine with it because that meant that I could interact with the elderly more. Before the elderly came for lunch, we had to do some preparation work. Some people generously donated numerous boxes of kiwis. We sorted the kiwis and thew away the bad or moldy ones. When the elderly came, I helped them get their name tags and helped them to find a seat. Before we served them their food, another student and I walked around and chatted with the elderly. I could tell that a lot of them were pleased that we came. After we were introduced, we began to serve them. I served them tea or water, depending on their request. I passed out plates of food. Some of the elderly had specific requests for their food, such as having less rice and more vegetables. So, I had to remember those requests and relayed the message to the cooks. I also helped pass out refills to those who wanted it. When I didn't have much to do, I would walk around and chat with the elderly. They are really kind and welcoming.

Overall, this service took around 2 hours. However, time flew by as I served them. I was serving them, but in the end, they were the ones that served me too. They gave me joy and satisfaction. The other students and I even thought about staying and helping with the dinner shift. I would love to come here to serve the elderly again.

(Pictures will be up soon)

Christmas Fun Day at Heng On Community Center - December 13

On December 13, I went with other people from the GIN Education for All group and helped host a fun Christmas day for members of the Heng On community. In total, we had two booths with games. One of the games was to pick up marbles using chopsticks. The other game was to sort candies by their color. It was difficult to find games that would fit young children and elderly. The participants had to meet a requirement in order to receive a stamp from us. When they received all six stamps from the different booths, they could receive a prize.

I was warned that the event would be chaotic, but I didn't expect it to be that chaotic. Once the doors were opened, families rushed in and started line up for our booths. I was in charge of the "sort the candies by their color" booth. Originally, I had set the time for 45 seconds. However, the line was moving too slowly, so we opened another line and lowered the time and expectations for the participants. I timed them as they played and gave almost everyone a stamp. This went on for around 1 and a half hours.

After this entire event, I was exhausted from the people and the noises. But, I enjoyed serving the Heng On Community and knowing that I brought joy to the families. Christmas is a time for giving. This service embodied Christmas's meaning.

MAD Project Update - December 12

As of the last MAD meeting, we've decided to tweak our service. Our schedules do not match up very well with Mr. Meyer's schedule, so we decided to find another teacher that would fit our schedules better. We contacted Mrs. Wilson and she agreed that we could help her starting next semester. So, starting next semester, we will help Mrs. Hunter and Mrs. Wilson every other week.

Sha Tin Food Bank - December 6, 2014

On December 6, I went to a food bank for service with three other students. In 9th grade, I went to Tung Wah Food Bank a few times. The Sha Tin Food Bank was similar, but had some differences, to the Tung Wah Food Bank.

A worker at the Sha Tin Food Bank started off our service by giving us a talk on what food banks are. I already know the general gist of the purpose food banks, but the worker informed me about things I never knew about. That included information about: who was qualified for food banks, the types and needs of different people, and government support. He asked us questions to ensure that we understood what he said. I shared a bit about my experience at Tung Wah Food Bank.

After the worker explained what food banks were, we started our service. There was a mother and daughter waiting to collect their food. The four of us helped transport the canned and packaged food into their bags. The heavier foods, such as canned foods, were put in teh bottom, and the lighter foods, such as biscuits, were put on the top. The worker told us to ask the family some questions, so we did. This was a difference compared to the Tung Wah Food Bank. When I helped in the Tung Wah food bank, I didn't really interact with the people getting the food. I stayed in the storage room and helped out there. Anyways, after helping the first family, we started to assemble a food "package" for a family of three. On a sheet of paper, there were different types of foods (written in Chinese) with the quantity next to it. At first, I had some difficulty reading the Chinese, but I quickly got the hang of it. I looked for the food on the shelves and passed it on to two other students outside who were putting it into boxes. We assembled one more "package", then it was time to go.

Helping out in a food bank was really fun. Serving the Hong Kong community is a priority of mine.

ICS Service Warriors (with SWD) - November 27, 2014

This was the first service that the ICS Service Warriors participated in. We had one after school meeting every week three weeks prior to this service, totaling approximately 3 hours of preparation. During the first preparation meeting, we brainstormed ideas for this service. A person from the Shatin Welfare Department (SWD) came to our school and gave us some background information. In our second preparation meeting, there was role play and finalizing the activities we were going to do. In the third meeting, we finalized our preparations and got all the materials we needed.

On November 27, after school, we went to a home for mentally retarded women. There, we were given a tour of the home and informed about the different needs that the mentally retarded people would have. After the tour, we went into an activity room and played the games and activities we prepared for them. Even when we prepared simple games, such as tossing a balloon in the air, they found great delight in it. In total, we had four activities prepared for them: playing with balloons (hot potatoes), pass the parcel, jigsaw puzzles, and puzzles. Every time a new activity was introduced, we would have 2-3 students explain the instructions. I helped to introduce the pass the parcel game. Some of them were reluctant to join. So, I went around and encouraged them to join in the activities. In the end, most of the people in the room joined in the activities.

This was one of my favorite services to participate in. In the past, I have served children and the elderly. I'm not sure why, but I liked to serve those with mental disabilities the most. In this ICS Service Warriors group, I intended to explore different kinds of service and see which one I enjoy participating in the most. As of now, out of all the options, serving the mentally retarded is at the top of my list.

Community Service Cafe - November 8, 2014

On November 8, I went with three other students and served at Tung Wah Community Cafe in Mong Kok. A volunteer explained to us about the purpose and functions that the Tung Wah Community Cafe provides. Those with financial needs can have cheaper meals. After informing us about the history of this cafe, he passed us some aprons and assigned us roles. I worked with one other student and was in charge of cleaning up after those who ate. We would get their trays and put the used plates, cups, and utensils in the correct bucket. After that, we would get a damp towel and wipe down the table. Finally, we would push in the chairs and get the table set for the next customer. In addition to this, I would also help the elderly order and/or get their food.


This was the first time I served in a community cafe. It was a really great experience. I hope that I would be able to serve there again.

Act 20:35 - In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive."