Imagine yourself on a little boat, its canvas stretched towards the sky, sailing gently across the sea. Beneath you, calm waves ripple alongside. The weather is perfect – a blue sky, warm sunshine, and one or two clouds drifting lazily above. Close your eyes and you will catch the scent of salt from the sea and feel the breeze brushing against your cheek. Are you in paradise or in a fairy-tale land? Indeed, you are in Sai Kung.
Celebrated as the “backyard” of Hong Kong, Sai Kung is not merely a home for its residents but also a haven for locals and visitors alike. With its tranquil waters and lush greenery, it soothes every weary soul. Earlier this year, members of the ReLive Society (ReLive) of the Haven of Hope Christian Service embarked on a memorable trip there. For them, it was more than just a day of leisure; it was an adventure in self-discovery and, for some, a homecoming.
Most of the members of the Society are lifelong wheelchair users, many of whom once suffered from severe illness or injury. They are beneficiaries of the Haven of Hope ReLive Project, funded by The Community Chest. Initiated by an occupational therapy team, the programme helps participants move beyond trauma and turn a new leaf of their life. It is designed to develop 1) self-management of their disabled bodies, 2) the right mindset to redefine their roles in society, and 3) the skills to build and sustain a fulfilling lifestyle. Many participants had long remained confined at home, reluctant to step beyond their comfort zones. By gathering them as partners and teammates, the occupational therapy team inspires breakthroughs, encouraging each member to rediscover themselves.
For most of us, planning a boat trip in Sai Kung followed by a seafood feast is a small treat to oneself. Yet, for the ReLive’s members, it was a remarkable achievement. With the support of professional therapists and medical interns, some participants were able to board the boats safely and experience something they had scarcely imagined possible. Others, not yet ready to take up the challenge, chose to stay and watch on the pier. But their joy was no less – the success of their peers gave them hope and courage. The message was clear: “Nothing is impossible. You can also make it someday.”
The occupational therapy team believes this “chemistry” between teammates is essential in helping people with disabilities to reconnect with the society. Every experience gained becomes part of their strength – the courage to re-join the community and, most importantly, the chance to redefine their roles in their new “lives”.
Lok (a nickname) was among those who joined the Sai Kung trip. Once a resident of the town, he had moved away following a tragic event that left him in a wheelchair. For years he had neither the courage nor the motivation to return. Only when relatives and friends visited him at home did he have the chance to reconnect with his past.
That is why the Sai Kung trip was deeply meaningful to him. After sailing, Lok was brimming with excitement, leading his teammates to explore the town’s attractions on the way to a seafood restaurant. At one point, he slipped away briefly to reunite with his old friends. For him, the day was far more than a holiday – it was a journey back to childhood and to cherished memories. It is the day that he regained his self-respect and confidence.
Sai Kung means a lot to the people of Hong Kong: a backyard, a holiday retreat, a tourist’s spot, and a place called ‘home’. On any given day, children may be seen collecting shells, musicians performing along the seaside, artists finding inspiration, and a group of wheelchair heroes discovering blessings of their own.
More details of Haven of Hope Christian Services can be found here.
The sailing programme was made available by Sailability at Hebe Haven Yacht Club.
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