Children and Teenagers are not only future leaders of society but are also the key driving force in propelling social development. However, according to a report from the Commission on Poverty in 2018, around 235,000 children in Hong Kong were living in poverty with the poverty rate reaching a staggering 23.3%. Poverty hinders children from growing up in a healthy environment and accessing resources and prevents them from having good opportunities for more learning and development. This may unfortunately affect their future.

We believe that a church is not only a community of believers, but a place of resources and empowerment. Therefore, we work to establish partnerships with churches and Christian service groups in every district to respond to the needs of vulnerable children and teenagers, empowering them to fulfil their potential.

With the support of the Hong Kong Church Network for the Poor, we started the Church Intensive Community Mentoring Programme in 2007 to recruit mentors for vulnerable children and youth. Since then, we have established our Ministry Coordination Team and started running Child Development Fund Programme funded by the Labour and Welfare Bureau in 2008. To date, we have run 13 district-based projects and two phases of school-based projects. We have worked with approximately 170 Christian organisations and churches and provided appropriate activities and support services to vulnerable children.

In addition to helping children develop good saving habits, the Children Development Fund Programme allow church brothers and sisters to mentor the participants during their project. The programme also encourages children to set up their own personal development plan and to nurture a positive attitude towards life that will reduce intergenerational poverty.