The lunch meeting was attended by 14 members with an attendance rate of 52%. Visiting Rotarians included Deputy Assistant Governor Dominic Wai and Charter President Jimmy Lau from Rotary Club of Star Avenue.
After President Sam gave reports of past events and announced future Club/District events, Immediate Past President Mark introduced the meeting’s speaker, Ms. Iris Wong, the Executive Director of Ronald McDonald House Charities Hong Kong (“RMHCHK”). Iris’s topic was: “Keeping Families Close: A unique Role in Family Centered Care.” Family-centered care is the delivery of health care based on partnerships between patients, families and all those involved in the care of the child and family. Family-centered care improves the patient’s and family’s experience with health care, addresses evolving needs of families, reduces stress (e.g., emotional and financial pressures), improves communication and improves the health of children with chronic health conditions. RMHCHK mainly has three types of service: Ronald McDonald House, Hospitality Cart Program and Love Companion Program. The first Ronald McDonald House was built in Hong Kong In 1996 in Shatin, nearby to the Prince of Wales Hospital. The House offers temporary residence, a “home away from home” for families with seriously ill children. The House has comprehensive facilities including 23 family units, a common kitchen, library, study room, play area, communal dining area and organic garden. For the many children and families in hospitals that are not served at the House, the Caring Teddy Hospitality Cart travels around the hospital visiting children to brighten their day. This also alleviates stress of families spending long hours at the hospital. The Love Companion Program engages previous House guests to support current House families as mutual aids. Regular gatherings and workshops connect old and new House families. With increasing demand for “family-centered care” service for sick children and their families, RMHCHK is extending its services by developing a second Ronald McDonald House with 66 rooms in Kwun Tong – a location near the Hong Kong Children’s Hospital that has commenced operation in the Kai Tak Development Area in late 2018. Upon its full operation, the second House will be able to serve around 1,200 sick children and families annually. With two Houses serving the community in Hong Kong, 89 rooms in total will be provided by RMHCHK. To support the meaningful Room and Facilities Sponsorship Project for the second House, you can consider donating at one time, or a donation installment plan can be tailor-made for you. More information can be found in these links:
https://www.rmhc.org.hk/en/new-rmh/
