St. John’s Cathedral HIV Education Centre 2016 Report

Elijah Fung, Centre Manager

A NEW VISION FOR TODAY In 2015, St. John’s Cathedral conducted a review of its outreach ministries to ensure that they provide services in line with the current needs of the Hong Kong society. In order to address recommendations that emerged from this review SJHIV Centre staff have met and dialogued with a comprehensive range of stakeholders, donors, supporters and volunteers to fine-tune, reposition and broaden our mission and the services we offer. Given the accumulated expertise and extensive network that the Centre has developed over the last two decades it is felt that we should continue to offer education and support to maligned minority groups within society that are at high risk of HIV infection but also broaden our services to include Life Education to children, youth and parents. Our vision is to provide a Life Education that helps children, young people, and their parents understand how to live healthy and fulfilling lives, respecting the diversity within both our communities and creation.

We would appreciate your prayers and support during this transition period as our board and staff discern what is best for our Centre's mission in the years ahead.

OUR INVOLVEMENT WITH YOUTH AND COMMUNITY In 2016, in addition to our regular education programmes at schools and within the community, we organized a series of AIDS-related programmes to engage young people all of which were aimed at strengthening and empowering young people with up-dated facts and skills that can enable them to work towards “Zero New HIV Infections, Zero HIV-related Discrimination & Zero AIDS-related Deaths” in society.

YOUTH FESTIVAL 2016 With the generous sponsorship of the Hop Yuen Charitable Foundation Fund, a youth festival was organized within the Cathedral Garden on 2 July 2016 which attracted hundreds of young people from a variety of backgrounds and featured several informative and entertaining programmes such as mini markets, information and game booths, and creative performances by talented young people. Guests of Honour included The Most Revd. Dr. Paul Kwong ( and of Hong Kong Sheng Kung Kui), Dr. Ada Lin (Senior Medical Officer, Special Preventive Programme, Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health), The Revd Simon Fan (General Secretary of The SKH Missionary Area of Macau & -in-charge of SKH St Stephen’s Church, Macau) , Mr. Eric Chin (Rotary Year 2016 – 17 District Governor), Ms. Lily Gar Kook Tam (Rotary Club of Queensway 2016 – 2017 President), Ms. Amy Lo Pei Ying (Representative of The Amity Foundation Hong Kong Office), Mr. David Tse (Managing Director of Hop Yuen (Holdings) Ltd) and Ms. Macy Go (Director, Hop Yuen Charitable Foundation Fund).

ANNUAL FUND RAISING CONCERT Later in the year, we were most grateful that the Hong Kong Welsh Male Voice Choir, Miss Vicky Wong Doi Kei, Harmonicaplus and students of the Li Po Chun United World College of Hong Kong were able to perform at our annual charitable concert in the Cathedral on 8 November 2016. Their inspirational music created an entertaining evening for an audience of 500 people.

HIV ACROSS ASIA In the Asia Pacific region, 5 million people were living with HIV in 2014. Notably, 90% of them were from just six countries: , India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. While globally, more than 36 million people were living with HIV in 2015. Moreover, 2.1 million people became newly infected with HIV in that year. Therefore, with a mind to drawing attention to and addressing such significant statistics with action, to commemorate World AIDS Day.

WORLD AIDS DAY WITH HONG KONG YOUTH & COMMUNITY (December 1 2016), a youth night was organized which attracted more than 130 young people. The Guest of Honour was Kurt W. TONG (Consul General of the United States of America to Hong Kong & Macau). Activities included sharing and performances delivered by “Step Up Infinity” of the Rotary Club of Tai Po, the Hong Kong Rope Skipping 2014 Runner Cup Skippers, Tak Chi Kok Martial Arts Society, Miss Wong Doi Kei of Harmonicaplus, SKH Tung Chung Integrated Services, and Li Po Chun United World College of Hong Kong.

In addition to the youth night, on 2 December 2016 an exhibition was organized in the Cathedral Garden to display the services of the Centre and the significance of World AIDS Day. On November 27, 2016, a World AIDS Sunday Service was broadcast by RTHK 4, 97.6FM (11.05 a.m. – 12.00 noon) reaching thousands of listeners. Finally, in early November, our Centre set up an information booth at the Central and District Health Festival 2016/2017.

To conclude, I would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere gratitude to The Very Revd (Dean of HKSKH St. John’s Cathedral), sponsors, volunteers and colleagues. Your leadership and contributions have meant so much to our Centre and the people we serve.

Please remember us in your prayers, especially throughout our transition into a Life Education Centre.