A cheerful heart is good medicine!

Willing volunteers are the backbone of Christian Action’s work in Hong Kong, and although many are already involved we always need more. We have two centres serving people who belong to ethnic minority groups, and right now, this is where we need help. We need five volunteer tutors per day for after school classes for ethnic minority children, including tutors to teach Cantonese classes. The classes are one of the many essential services ethnic minorities rely on to level the playing field and help them integrate into HK society.

Here’s a letter from one volunteer who responded to our advertisement for a Cantonese class.

My name is Connie Estipona and I am a Filipino. I’m a person who can never sit idle at home. I joined a Cantonese course run by Christian Action and met Joey, a social worker. I then started volunteering for the Ethnic Minority service and helped with tutorials for the kids. I enjoyed the interaction with the children, as well as joining other women’s activities at the centre.

My reason to reach out is the passion of LOVE…. I want those people of different cultures (nationalities) to feel someone cares for and loves them. I participated in educational talks, attended social activities and became a friend to many people with diverse backgrounds. I also helped other institutions as a coordinator to let women attend and attain technical education in a very wide perspective. I won the hearts of the people, showing them that serving with 'a cheerful heart is a good medicine'.

I wish and hope that Christian Action grows strong and solid to continue supporting, reaching out, and helping ethnic minorities integrate into the Hong Kong lifestyle. I would like to thank the beautiful people at Christian Action (Jordan) for their warm hearts, friendly smiles and unending love for the ethnic minorities. I am so privileged for being part of the team… we will work together in love and unity for the ethnic minorities in Hong Kong. Warmest regards and love to all! Connie

Chinese speaking groups who would like to have cultural exchanges with groups of people from ethnic minorities can volunteer their services too. We would like to run one cultural exchange programme every month and invite you to be part of that. Connie has quoted a very good proverb when it comes to helping people struggling in a new culture: A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. (Proverbs 17:22)