Love @ Po Leung Kuk

For every mother, feeling her baby growing inside of her during the 10 months of pregnancy is one of life’s most incredible journeys. Ms. Yiu, soon to be the mother of Laam Laam, could not wait to welcome her little one and start their small family, Born prematurely at just 26 weeks, Laam Laam’s tiny organs were not yet ready for the world. He spent crucial months in the hospital fighting to survive and he requires round-the-clock care – a ventilator breathes for him at all times.   Laam Laam couldn’t run and jump like other kids in the past 6 years because he had to go to the hospital for various treatments. His ventilator must be monitored constantly. As such, Ms. Yiu had no choice but to leave her job to be Laam Laam’s full-time caregiver. While the financial, physical, and emotional demands soon became overwhelming, money grew tight as the income of Ms. Yiu’s husband alone could not cover Laam Laam’s expensive medical costs.   Professional team of Po Leung Kuk Chao King Lin Early Learning Centre is helping Laam Laam on his muscle training     Thankfully, she heard about the Po Leung Kuk Chao King Lin Early Learning Centre-Special Child Center. When the professionals of the center heard about Laam Laam’s circumstances, a dedicated team of physiotherapists, occupational therapists, childcare workers and social workers were fully geared up to provide holistic support for Laam Laam and his family. His performance on his speech, muscles and eating abilities were weaker than other children of his age at the beginning of training; however after 3 years of time at the center, Laam Laam made tremendous strides in developing his overall abilities.   Ms Yiu feels immensely grateful to Po Leung Kuk and the center for providing her family with comprehensive support She cherishes how their care gave her strength and courage to face each hurdle along this difficult journey. “Because if I did not hang in there with courage, who else could Laam Laam count on?” While uncertainty remains about the future of Yiu’s family, Po Leung Kuk will continue to support children with special needs and their families like Yiu’s family through the Kuk’s full backing in fostering children development and meeting their family needs.   With the assistance of Po Leung Kuk’s resources and generous contributions from donors, we are able to provide adequate and comprehensive training services for underprivileged children and families, safeguarding the children's growth and offering holistic support to families.  

(Chinese Only)當自己的孩子被懷疑有特殊教育需要（Special Educational Needs，簡稱SEN）傾向，作為家長當然擔心不已，只要好好把握0 至6 歲嬰幼兒的發展黃金期，情況定可大有改善。保良局在2016 年開展「傲翔計劃」到校學前康復服務，為6 歲以下有特殊需要的幼兒提供到校專業支援，更引入全港首架「學前康復服務專業治療車」。專業治療車由保良局自資營運，並獲得保良局丙申年郭羅桂珍主席捐款支持服務營運，為幼兒提供一個理想的訓練環境。   專業治療車穿梭於港九新界的幼稚園暨幼兒園，為有需要的學校提供支援。保良局言語治療隊長馬嘉敏表示，由於不少幼稚園的校園空間有限，訓練時間與上課時間重疊，難以騰出課室作訓練場地。再者，進行訓練期間需要一個安靜、隔音的地方，專業治療車正好解決有關問題。車身可劃分成兩個小訓練室，同時為兩名幼兒提供一對一的治療服務，以達致治療的最佳效果。 別小看專業治療車的車身小小，車內卻收藏了各式各樣的專業器材，如言語治療訓練圖卡、小手肌訓練遊戲、專注力提升教材、社交技巧玩具、各類圖書等。治療師會因應孩子的需要，配合使用適當的器材進行跨專業的訓練，如大小肌肉、認知、語言及社交情緒等，讓幼兒在遊戲中學習到不同的知識及技能。   專業治療車自營運以來，得到不少家長的正面評價，周爸爸就是其中一位。他在兒子筠霖大約2 歲左右，發現他不願開口說話，又不肯與人有任何交流，經初步評估後發現兒子有自閉症傾向。就讀保良局屬下學校的筠霖，幸得到學校的轉介，輪候數月便開始接受「傲翔計劃」到校學前康復服務，礙於校園空間有限，治療師遂安排筠霖於治療車上進行一系列的訓練。現年4 歲的筠霖持續接受兩年多的訓練後，情況有明顯改善，個性變得活潑多言，樂意與同學一齊玩，非常喜歡校園生活。」 目前保良局傲翔計劃共有6 支專業團隊提供服務，未來亦會繼續與不同學校聯繫，以支援更多有特殊教育需要的小朋友，盼每個孩子都可以發光發亮。

Yu Tin Ching (Ching) has resided in Po Leung Kuk’s dormitory (also known as “the House”) since 2 years-old. The shy little boy would only sit quietly aside in the beginning, even the in-house staff could hardly notice him. Fortunately, he got his chance to shine on stage. Whenever Ching danced, the invisible boy stole the limelight and became the “dancing king” among the children in the House.     Ching loves dancing since he was small. He originally taught himself by watching online dance tutorials. However, it is difficult to master the basic skills or make further progress through self-study. Luckily, Ching met with another dancing enthusiast, Ms. Cheung, in Primary 4. Ms. Cheung discovered the talents of Ching, she initiated him into dance trainings and practices, as well as arranged him to participate in various stage performances of the Kuk, such as the Child Sponsors’ Day, so as to build up his self-confidence gradually.     Ching dreams of becoming a professional dancer. He hopes to learn more dancing techniques from dance schools, but stepping out from the comfort zone of the House and the expensive tuition fee made him feel confused about his future. “Do you really want to be a Dancer?” Ms. Cheung reassured Ching and let him finally made up his mind.    Later with the help of Ms. Cheung and social workers, Ching received financial assistance from “Angels for Orphans” programme of Po Leung Kuk, and started learning jazz dance and street dance at professional dance schools. At the last Child’s Sponsor Day of this 18-year-old boy, Ching decided to express his gratitude to the Sponsors by delivering his best dancing performance before leaving the House.    After DSE, Ching targets to enter The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts to further develop in dance studies and achieve his dream as a dancer, “I wish that one day, I can come back to the House as dance tutor, and contribute to the Child Sponsor’s Day.”