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The pandemic has disrupted our lives in different ways, but nothing can stop us from wishing for a better future and fighting through the adversity. Channel 823 interviewed three Hong Kong people of very different background who held on to their wishes during these tough times. Here are the stories of how their characters have grown.
Chor Ying, a single mother of a young daughter, is a member of the Food Angel Community Outreach team. Having lost her job and a stable income during the pandemic, she knows better than most what it’s like to have to worry about making ends meet. At one food give-away, Chor Ying witnessed the conditions facing some of the elderlies living alone, and how much care and support they desperately need from the community. Motivated to do more, she decided to become a part of the Food Angel Community Outreach team, which help bring nutritious meals to the needy.
During one home visit, Chor Ying came across an elderly man who, despite suffering from a high fever, refused to call for help because he didn’t want to be taken to the hospital. Chor Ying immediately offered him some bread and water, and called for the ambulance. As she relived that memory, Chor Ying got a bit emotional. “I’m just so glad that I could be there to care for and comfort the elderly during the moments when they need our help the most.”
Through the efforts of all “food angels”, many families were able to get the help they needed during the most difficult times. Chor Ying, who owes her job and food security to Food Angel, describes her employer as her “angel”. Because just like how “food angels” do, the organisation also cared for her and gave her help during the time she needed it the most.
Chor Ying’s wish is for Hong Kong to get past the pandemic soon so that no one will need to worry about putting food on the table anymore. More importantly, she wants the “old folks” to stay healthy so that she can see them again!
Derek is a member of the property management team at Lok Fu Place. His job lets him engage with all kinds of people including visitors and tenants. During the peak of the pandemic, part of his job involves regularly checking on the malls and fresh markets to collect first-hand information about the latest anti-pandemic measures. For a while, his team had their hands full just from taking phone calls.
Many people have grown frustrated over the course of the pandemic. However, Derek believes that this is precisely the reason why someone in his position needs to remain positive, so that he can help the community get through the tough times together. Being a good listener allows him to connect with visitors and tenants at a closer level, even if it means to hear them vent. On top of that, Derek has been proactive in reaching out to these people to better understand their needs and difficulties. Many of Derek’s lunch hours were spent catching up with store owners and keeping their spirits up. After all, most of the time, all people want to know is that someone cares about them.
Derek admitted that the pandemic has taught him many things, from communication skills, to being more empathetic and keeping a positive outlook on life. He hopes that Hong Kong can get pass the pandemic soon, so that all businesses can prosper, and everyone can finally breathe a sigh of relief.
Giuseppe is a half-Chinese, half Italian 7-year-old boy who loves to run around his neighbourhood. But because of the pandemic, he had no choice but to stay home.
Like most children of his age, all his classes had been switched to virtual classes, which means he was not able to see his friends in person. Although he finds classes boring, Giuseppe said he enjoys spending time learning how to make his own artworks. One of his favorite activities is making colourful magnets that he learns from a TV show.
At home, Giuseppe is either busy helping out his mother with house chores, or fighting with his little sister. While sometimes mom would get upset over his grades, he’s perhaps his own worst critic. When asked how he rates himself for his behaviour at home on a scale of 10, he gives himself a mere 2, though he sees plenty of potential for improvement if he works hard on his school work.
As much as he wanted to play with his friends, Giuseppe always chose to stay home. It’s not that he worries about catching the virus, but rather he cares for his friends. “I don’t want my friends to get sick from going outside. Because if they do get sick, it would make them feel horrible.”
As soon as the pandemic is over, the first thing Giuseppe wants to do is to go overseas and visit his nonno (grandfather) and nonna (grandmother). “I want to go see them in person soon. They used to take me to many different places. But now we are not able to fly, and it’s been three years since I last saw them,” he said. “I just want to tell them I love you and I miss you!”
