Hong Kong
I’ve been a volunteer at Mother’s Choice in Hong Kong for over 20 years helping to care for young children with special needs.
Mother’s Choice is an extraordinary place that provides vital care for the most vulnerable children in Hong Kong. Since 2005, I’ve been volunteering once a week at their childcare home helping out with special needs infants aged 0-6 who are awaiting forever families.
It’s such a privilege to spend time with these little angels.
Each week, typical duties include working alongside the childcare staff and other volunteers to lend an extra pair of hands to help rock, feed and look after these tiny treasures.
Besides providing daily care, we may assist the kids with personal development programmes and stimulation classes.
Not only that, but there’s plenty of time for fun. For singing, dancing, reading and play.
It goes without saying, it’s easy for these children to steal your heart.
More than that, I’ve seen countless infants blossom from shy and insecure youngsters to outgoing, confident social butterflies.
And it’s all credit to the wonderful team at Mother’s Choice. A kind, caring, patient and supportive family of carers, therapists and volunteers.
Since Mother’s Choice was founded in 1987, thousands of children have benefitted from their care.
Today, the childcare home provides temporary care for up to 32 babies and 12 special needs kids awaiting adoption, foster care or reunification with their birth families.
Over the years, the work of Mother’s Choice has become more all-encompassing. The help they offer now spans a childcare home for babies and special needs children, foster care homes, adoption services and support for pregnant girls.
In fact, a major part of Mother’s Choice’s work entails supporting young teens facing pregnancy. In this regard, the non-profit provides shelter and teaches parenting and life skills to expectant teens.
Plus, the organisation has become a leading advocate on adoption issues. Mother’s Choice has placed more than 1,300 children in permanent homes and supported hundreds of adopting families.
In recent times, I’ve been fortunate to become involved with Mother’s Choice’s Cuddle Me Program which provides one-on-one care between a trained cuddler and a child who may need a little extra care or attention.
Tailor-made for developmentally at-risk children, this early intervention initiative integrates the techniques of cuddling (nurturing touch, one-to-one interaction and quick responses) to help improve a child’s wellness and well-being.
Though early days, the results of Cuddle Me are encouraging. Benefits range from a decrease in infant crying and improvement of healthy sleep to pain relief, physiological stability, weight gain, growth, shorter hospital stays and improved mental health.
It’s little wonder the experience of volunteering at Mother’s Choice has left an endearing mark on me.
I‘ve learnt to look beyond a disability and appreciate every child is unique and special in his or her own way.
It’s taught me that each small act of kindness reminds a child they are loved.
In turn, I feel a great sense of hope and optimism for the future of these wonderful, remarkable children.
Click here to learn more about Mother’s Choice.
"Each small act of kindness reminds a child they are loved."
Janet Middlemiss
FOUNDER
JEM
Lend a Hand
Want to leave the world a better place? Check out JEM’s Bridging the Divide campaign and get volunteering.
