“I grew up without a real home, and was living in foster care until age 6. I and my elder brother were then referred to the Home until 18 years old. My days living in the Home was joyful. All the experiences made my childhood far more enriching than my peers’,” happily said the Home's old girl Man.

Thanks for the support from all walks of life, theme park trip was arranged every year. Man even had the opportunity to enjoy helicopter ride, volunteer in Guangxi, and perform gymnastics at the Scheme’s kick-off event! “When I dreamed of learning piano, house mother and social worker just made it happen,” Man recalls. The Home's workers always encouraged multifaceted experiences to unlock children’s potential.

When she grew as the “big sister”, Man helped take care of younger ones in the Home, and developing independent living skills was her greatest takeaway from the Home. After discharge and graduation from secondary school, she worked as a school clerk and teaching assistant while pursuing her associate and bachelor’s degrees, as well as a Postgraduate Diploma in Education step by step. Man becomes a teacher and loves travelling in her spare time, just like the Home’s social worker who shared travel stories and souvenirs with her - living as a Big Big Girl with dreams fulfilled.

As close as family, the housemother is the stronghold of life

Luke lacked parental care and was referred to the Home at age six. He was adopted in Form 3 and moved to the U.S. "If I only focus on not having my parents around as a child, it would seem unfortunate. But under the Home's care, every step I took felt meaningful."

Despite no blood ties, the love from the housemother made Luke feel at home. "She led by example and taught me how to treat others. During holidays, although I was the only one staying behind, she would make time with me as if family."

Luke fondly recalls the abundant resources provided by the Home- annual trips to Ocean Park, music lessons (he passed Grade 7 piano), tutoring, abacus classes, lion dancing, and even calligraphy taught by staff.

When the opportunity for overseas adoption came, Luke hesitated. "But with encouragement from the housemother and social worker - and their promise to welcome me back if things didn't work out - I found the courage to take the leap.

Luke returned to Hong Kong after graduating from university in the U.S. Now working at a multinational company here and keeping contact with his housemother, Luke is building an independent life and confidently walking his own path.

Jeffrey's parents couldn't care for their six children due to financial problems, so Jeffrey was referred to the Home by the age of seven. Despite struggling with stuttering and introversion, he received support from the workers and found solace in Auntie Cheng's company. Her genuine care helped him open up and develop perseverance. He still values Auntie Cheng's advice and considers her one of the most important people in his life.

Despite unsatisfactory results in public examinations, Jeffrey overcame his stuttering, and became a certified sommelier and restaurant supervisor. To climb the ladder, Jeffrey continued his studies and is now pursuing a master's degree.

Though busy with his career and studies, Jeffrey is a dedicated father, trying to give the best to his daughter to let her shine like him.

"I still remember the feeling of being held by the house mother,” said the Home’s old boy Tommy, who was not yet six years old when his parents relinquished custody. He was referred to the Home where the unprecedented love inspired him to become a social worker.

The house mother often encouraged Tommy to pursue his goal, and treated him as if he was her own son by accompanying him to look for a public examination venue. With this strong backing, Tommy dared to repeat Form 5, matriculated to an associate degree, started a bachelor's degree in social work, and succeeded to become a social worker finally.  Tommy was even pleased to volunteer to various services after work, and tied the knot with his sweetheart last year.

Tommy was so much loved to love that he lighted up not only his own life but also the lives of those around him.

Living at St. Christopher’s Home changes Manci’s childhood, and life.

Absent from parental care, Manci, her younger brother and seven half-siblings were raised by the grand-mother till she died. Manci was referred to another charity’s Small Group Home where was however loveless to her as members were cold and fought with each other occasionally. She was not only isolated in school due to her unusual background, but also badly treated by her step mother during home leave.

Fortunately, Manci was transferred to St. Christopher’s Home when she was allocated to a secondary school in other district. Embraced by the caring room-mates and supportive house-parents around, Manci felt loved and safe here, and kept in touch with them even till now. Such positive bonding helped build her sense of identity and self-esteem in pursuit of dreams.

A diploma holder of hotel management, Manci climbed up the ladder by completing part-time degree and master programs while working full-time, and developed her career in overseas property investment. Regardless, her creative vibe stayed unchanged. Manci took cake art courses in Europe twice and opened her own cake shop recently. “I am grateful for the loving childhood St. Christopher’s Home gave me. It heals the rest of my life,” Manci made cookies as part of the special edition Love Chocolate gift set item in celebration of the Home’s 85th anniversary last year.

Sze Man’s dad beat his daughter and sick wife, and kicked them out of home every time when drunk. Aged six, Sze Man was referred to the Home for care, but still received her dad’s threatening calls.

Understanding Sze Man’s inner fear, the house-parents treated her with extra care. Under the counseling of social worker and clinical psychologist as well as loving environment of the Home, Sze Man became emotionally stable and lived happily till reuniting with her mom at 18.

Sadly, her mom soon died in kidney failure that overwhelmed Sze Man by facing all the pressure alone. The Home, realizing her difficulties, found an anonymous donor to support Sze Man’s living and studies for three years!

Through her efforts, Sze Man progressed from an associate program to a bachelor’s degree, and is pursuing her master’s degree in Social Work in hopes of helping needy people in future.

“Despite all the life’s hurdles, I am thankful for the love of the Home and God. I believe when the worst is over what comes to me will be a future of hope."

Fai lived with his father when his parents divorced. Unfortunately, Fai’s father became violent due to business failure. Once out of control, his father broke the mop while hitting Fai, who was hospitalized for nearly a month and was referred to the Home afterwards.
The abusive father, however, had not stopped disturbing Fai even in the Small Group Home. Every time when his father showed up, the house-parent bravely kept Fai safe from abuse like a good broody hen. Under the counseling and loving care of the social worker and house parents, Fai learned to open his heart and re-build trust with people eventually. Interaction with other children also cheered Fai up from the horrendous past.
“The Home gave us a good shelter… Although we all came with certain imperfections, what we experienced is so unique and memorable that nobody would have.” Trained with a sharp creative vision in University, Fai has become a director with his own production house, and helps develop promos for the Home this year. He is also tying the knot with his beloved to turn over a new leaf.

Siu-wah was abused by her step-mother and referred to the Home when she was at Primary 4.
In the small group home, Siu-wah witnessed the helplessness of the elder residents who got disappointing public examination result. She was determined to work hard for the public examination. The Home gave full support and encouragement to her and specially designed incentive program for her. In addition, the Home arranged an internship program for her which inspired her to strive for being an accounting professional. Finally, she got flying result and admitted by a local university. After graduation, she took up positions in the fields of accounting and finance in various listed companies. Today, she has a warm family of three members and is a sponsor and volunteer of the Home too.