Support the Welfare Council's residential homes for the elderly and rehabilitation
Under the new wave of the epidemic, even though the operations of the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Welfare Council have significantly been affected, staff in various units are still working hard to maintain a high quality of service. However, the percentage of staff confirmed with the Covid-19 disease ranges from 10 to 100% in different units. Due to the suspension of day services according to the government guidelines, some of the staff concerned have been deployed to residential care homes on a voluntary or deputation basis. The situation is most critical in the 9 residential care homes for the elderly and 3 mental health rehabilitation homes, with 2,100 residents and 1,380 staff at risk.
On average, 17% (198 home staff and 223 residents) have been confirmed with the disease since February (not counting the previous period), with some of the smaller homes reaching 100%, with severe absenteeism. Our existing staff are working two shifts instead of three, and some are working 14-16 hours a day. Some staff have to stay at work for two to three days to accompany the residents waiting for admission to the Accident and Emergency Department. On the one hand, we admire their professionalism, but on the other hand, their working conditions and stress are truly heartbreaking. Given the severe shortage of manpower, the Welfare Council has to employ temporary care workers, cleaners, nurses, etc., at 2-3 times the daily wage to cover their shifts. To protect the families of the staff, they are also allowed to stay outside their homes temporarily, and a special allowance is given to staff entering the infected areas to maintain morale.
Archbishop Andrew Chan, Bishop Timothy Kwok and Bishop Matthias Der ask our brothers and sisters in Christ to pray for our venerable staff and to donate to the “Act of Love Fund”* of Welfare Council to alleviate the considerable extra expenses caused by the epidemic so that our services can continue to demonstrate the Church's commitment to society.
【Let us pray】
"Merciful Lord, at this time of epidemic and death, grant us salvation and help, so that amid our suffering we may reverently trust in the Lord, and that He may show mercy to those who work in epidemic prevention and to those who are responsible for the social services of our Church, especially those who care for the infected residents, so that they may be enlightened by the Lord and have the strength and love to care for all who are sick; we pray in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen."
*Donations can be made through the following means to support the Act of Love:
1. Make cheques payable to "Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Welfare Council Limited" and mail them to Resources Development Department, 12/F, 112 Kennedy Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong.
2. For bank transfer, please deposit the donation to one of the following bank accounts of "Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Welfare Council Limited" and return the bank-in slip to the Resources Development Department, 12/F, 112 Kennedy Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong.
Hang Seng Bank: 024-255-757999-883 or
Bank of East Asia: 015-514-10-407766-1
3. Donate online through the online donation platform using Credit Card, FPS, Alipay, WeChat Pay and UnionPay.
For further enquires, please contact Ms. Lillie Ching of Welfare Council (Tel: 2533-1285 or email: lching@skhwc.org.hk )
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