Jenny, a single mother, lives with her two teenage sons in a 70-square-foot sub-divided flat. She mainly relies on social welfare to make ends meet. However, the pandemic has put the household under increased strain. She worries about catching COVID-19 and not having enough money to buy essential pandemic supplies.
“Disinfectants and hand sanitisers are expensive so I never really used them before,” Jenny said. “But I have to disinfect everything during the pandemic. It is cramped in the subdivided flat so I have to keep it extra clean.” Her two sons have to stay at home for long periods because of school closures during the pandemic. She constantly reminds herself to keep up good hygiene at home.
Fortunately, help arrived in the form of care packs provided by the social workers from the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Lady MacLehose Centre, which were funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club. Each care pack includes food, personal hygiene items and home cleaning products. “The support from everybody gives me peace of mind,” Jenny said.
Public demand for different supplies has increased significantly during the pandemic, and the outbreak of the 5th wave of COVID-19 infections has led to a drastic shortage of these supplies.
In response, the Club donated 500,000 rapid antigen test kits to social welfare organisations in March 2022 to facilitate health monitoring by frontline social welfare workers and to meet the urgent needs of our community.
Jenny said that she has been able to adjust to life in the past year thanks to the help of different members of our community as well as her own ability to adapt. Recently, she decorated her sub-divided flat and put succulent plants by the window. The plants have brightened up and brought an air of calm to the small space she lives in.
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From serving the local community after retirement to contributing overseas, Ronald—a retiree with rich life experience—rediscovered the meaning of doing good through exchange and learning. He continued to spread the impact of volunteerism within the community, sharing the power of helping others even after retirement.