Fund helps instill life saving skills

Three years ago, relatives persuaded the withdrawn Nilam to apply to take part in a Child Development Fund initiative that Caritas organised. When she met the criteria and succeeded in joining the programme, retired marketing executive Louise Wong became her mentor.
 
“When I first met her, we were just strangers. She looked a bit fierce and it seemed she did not like me. I was worried about whether I could get along well with her,” Nilam recalled, adding their relationship was rather distant in the first year.
 
To break the ice, Ms Wong offered to tutor Nilam at home, so she could get to know Nilam’s parents and siblings and elicit their trust in her, also. As the two began to discuss Nilam’s personal development goals, Nilam’s dream of becoming a teacher came to light. Ms Wong then arranged for her to intern at a kindergarten as a teacher for a day.
 
Nilam went to the kindergarten with great trepidation, worried that the children would not like her because of her skin colour. To her delight, the children were attracted to her and enjoyed having her teach them.
 
Teacher, friend
Ms Wong had raised two sons of her own, who are now grown up in professional careers. She began to consider Nilam to be like a daughter and was keen to help her realise her goals.
 
Gradually, Nilam’s self-confidence grew, alongside her savings. The programme requires participants to save $200 of their pocket money each month for two years, to instil an asset-building habit. If they succeed, the fund matches their $4,800 in savings and provides a $3,000 incentive.
 
With Ms Wong’s encouragement, Nilam used her savings to join a study tour to South Korea last summer - her first trip abroad without her family. She used some of the savings on extracurricular English classes.
 
“To find a good job in the future, I should first acquire good English. I will continue to save money to study at university,” Nilam said.
 
“I am very fortunate that I have joined this project and have Louise as my mentor. She has helped me a lot, teaching me how to face difficulties, regain my confidence and pursue my dream.”
 
Passion for study rekindled
Keith Chiu dropped out of school as a youngster and failed to find a job. He was lost and shiftless when a social worker threw him a lifeline, introducing him to a Hong Kong Children & Youth Services initiative under the Child Development Fund.
 
Keith was not keen to join, until he was paired with mentor Nick Cheng, a 28-year-old IT specialist who had much in common with his then 17-year-old charge. Both had grown up in single-parent households and faced challenges, and Mr Cheng’s story inspired Keith.
 
The pair met regularly to share views on continuing studies and working. When Keith revealed he had thought of becoming an accountant, Mr Cheng helped him find information on relevant courses and doggedly encouraged him to go back to school.
 
“Seeing him able to overcome difficulties encourages me to work hard for everything I do. I believe I can also do the same. He has already become my role model,” Keith said.
 
He has just completed his first year of study and is now more determined than ever to graduate from university.
 
“I have to work hard for my future, find a good job and take care of my grandmother to repay her for her years of  bringing me up,” he said.
 
Fresh recruitment round kicks off
The Child Development Fund has so far sponsored NGOs to specially design 40 three-year projects. Volunteer mentors are trained to help participants formulate personal development plans, and advise them on how to best use their monthly savings, matching donations and financial incentives to achieve their life goals.
 
The Social Welfare Department has recently selected 15 NGOs to deliver 21 new initiatives under the fund. Children aged 10 to 16 who meet the eligibility criteria are welcome to apply.