Scroll Top

Tag: Hong Kong

Barefoot Walk 2024 Insights: Take This Step, Care for the Disaster-Stricken Poor

Written by: Ken Wong (Communications Officer) ‘I used to farm barefoot as well, and it didn’t hurt at all!’ a farmer from the farm shared with me as he passed by. ‘I used to run around barefoot, and my soles developed thick calluses; how could it hurt?’ Looking across to the path on the other side of the farm, I saw participants and staff from the Barefoot Walk struggling to walk barefoot over a stretch of sharp stones, finding it difficult to move forward. On 2 November, nearly two hundred participants in the Barefoot Walk journeyed to the Zen Organic Farm in Ta Kwu Ling, walking barefoot around the farm. Why do we choose to seek hardship? When

Continue reading

‘SHARE’ 254 – Rural Development Model: ‘Relationship, Relationship, Relationship’

Editor’s note: In this issue of SHARE, we share about rural development work. The issue’s ‘Focus’ explores rural development centred on relationships, emphasising the interaction with nature, land, and interpersonal networks. ‘Back to the Bible’ reflects on the teachings of selflessness, drawn from agricultural-related scriptures in Leviticus. ‘Blessings by Offering’ features CEDAR’s projects in Nepal, bearing witness to how rural poor communities are transformed through capacity building and community empowerment. Additionally, in ‘Learn a Little More’, our colleague Dustin shares his ten-year service journey at CEDAR. ARTICLES OF THIS ISSUE ‘SHARE’ 254 – Rural Development Model: ‘Relationship, Relationship, Relationship’ ‘SHARE’ 254 – Rural Development Model: ‘Relationship, Relationship, Relationship’ Written by Winnie Fung (Chief Executive) If you ask a

Continue reading

Ten Years of Graceful Service

Written by Dustin Tang (Donor Services Officer) As of September 2024, I have served in CEDAR Fund for ten years. Looking back, apart from changes in roles and tasks, God’s grace has always been with me. Ten years ago, I was introduced to CEDAR by a sister from my church. Initially, I participated as a volunteer and took part in administrative support work, such as contacting and inviting churches to participate in our activities, inputting participant information, preparing event materials, etc. Later, I became a part-time staff member and transitioned to a full-time role. My role and work have changed from being ‘behind the scenes’ to being ‘in front of the scenes’, sharing and leading experiential activities in

Continue reading

‘SHARE’ 253 – The Transformation of Church Social Involvement

Written by Tony Chan (Senior Communications Officer) The distinct feature that sets CEDAR apart from other poverty alleviation and development organisations is our operating principle of helping the poor, ‘From Church, Through Church’. Here, ‘Church’ refers not to a specific congregation but to the Christian community. In Hong Kong, we encourage the Christian community to participate through donations, prayers, or volunteer services to help transform the lives of the poor. On the frontlines, we implement projects through local churches and Christian organisations in impoverished areas to fulfil the Lord’s will—believers united in social involvement. The Historical Development of Social Involvement in Hong Kong’s Churches Promoting social involvement in Hong Kong’s churches is not easy. One factor is the

Continue reading

‘SHARE’ 253 – The Transformation of Church Social Involvement

Editor’s note: In this issue of SHARE, we once again share CEDAR’s core belief: helping the poor ‘From Church, Through Church’. This issue’s ‘Focus’ section delves into the historical development of Christian perspectives on social involvement and shares how CEDAR promotes church participation in social issues. ‘Back to the Bible’ reflects on community-oriented missions through the scriptures in 2 Samuel. ‘Taking Action’ shares a testimony of a church partnering with CEDAR to care for the poor community. ARTICLES OF THIS ISSUE​ Download this issue Banner Picture: EGCDWO

Continue reading

Learn to be like God – CEDAR Bible Study Insights

Written by: Clara Chiu (Head of Partnership Development) Earlier, on behalf of my fellowship, I invited a staff member from CEDAR to lead our fellowship Bible study. We explored God’s compassion for the poor, striving to emulate God. Both my fellow members and I benefited greatly from this experience. I want to share our insights with you in this issue of the CEDAR eNews. We studied the parable of the ‘Sheep and the Goats’ from Matthew 25. Before delving into the specific passage, the staff member guided us to first examine the context in which Jesus used this parable. In Matthew 24, as Jesus was leaving the temple, he told his disciples: ‘Not one stone here will be

Continue reading

Run for the Poor

Written by Clara Chiu (Head of Partnership Development) I know Queenie through a marathon event. This year, CEDAR has participated in the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon 2024 ‘Marathon Charity Programme’ and obtained 50 quotas for the ‘10 km race (Non-Challenge Group)’. We invited our donors and friends to participate and donate to CEDAR to support local and Afghanistan children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) and their families. Queenie is one of the participants. She learned about this event through her colleague and immediately signed up when her colleague asked for participants. Looking at her slender figure, I initially thought she was a regular joiner in running competitions. However, she said she seldom runs because she prefers playing

Continue reading

2023 CEDAR Barefoot Walk: More Than We Could Ask For

Written by: Clara Chiu (Head of Partnership Development) We thank our Father for how real His help is. The Lord has boosted our staff’s morale through the Barefoot Walk when society’s sentiments are low, and offertory levels are trending down. Preparation for the Barefoot Walk usually takes a whole year. This time, we started to prepare the Barefoot Walk as early as 2020. Before COVID, we were in talks with Abounding Grace Baptist Church to co-organise the Barefoot Walk and agreed on the route in Tsz Wan Shan. Unfortunately, the pandemic has forced a delay in the activity, and it was not until 2023 that the two organisations could join hands to make it happen. We are incredibly

Continue reading

LETTER FROM CEDAR | JUL 2023

Dear Supporters, For Dragon Boat Festival this year, Hong Kong resumed the dragon boat race after three years of suspension. As shown on TV and reported through various media channels, participating citizens, organisations and companies were very enthusiastic, and everyone was excited. Whether we deem it as a sport or a festival tradition, dragon boat appeals to many of us. My church had also formed a team to participate in a dragon boat race before, so I had personally experienced the team spirit that comes with it – with a mutual goal and a clear division of work, team members must work together and be in sync to follow the instructions while paddling furiously to reach the finish

Continue reading

‘SHARE’ 249 – An Experience Connecting with the Impoverished – Barefoot Walk

Written by Clara Chiu (Head of Partnership Development) Awakened by Getting into the Impoverished’ Shoes CEDAR Fund organises Barefoot Walk, our flagship walkathon, every November. Participants have to walk barefoot along a designated route in Hong Kong. We have to prepare almost a year in advance to make it happen, including venue application, route planning, experiential activities’ design, promotional collateral production and event registration. One of the preparation works involves all our colleagues: our trial barefoot walk on the planned route, and it recalls my first day in the CEDAR Fund –‘Colleagues Barefoot Walk’. It was my first time walking on the street barefoot. Apart from dirtiness, I got worried about people’s gaze. Yet, I was walking with

Continue reading