Hope for the Future

“We will not stop; we will keep challenging ourselves and get there – slowly but surely.” To many, getting to the finish line means fighting for first place. However, to Kim and the Fearless Dragons Running Club, it symbolises the spirit of not giving up. Although he has been blind since childhood, Kim is not discouraged by his inability to see. As the founder of the Hong Kong Network for the Promotion of Inclusive Society and the world’s first-of-its-kind Fearless Dragons running club, he helps people with disabilities to integrate into society. The club consists of runners with visual or hearing impairments along with able-bodied pacers, where a runner and pacer both hold onto the same tether as they head towards every finish line. Driven by the motto “Can’t see. Can’t hear. Can marathon” and Kim’s encouragement, the runners first started with 3km runs before working their way up to 5km and full marathons! No matter far you fall behind, you can still cross the finish line if you keep going forward and do not give up.

Last year, six fellows from the first season of The Orchestra Academy Hong Kong (TOA) performed with the HK Phil. Besides receiving one-on-one professional guidance by the musicians, they also had the opportunity to participate in community concerts – enjoying fruitful experiences both onstage and offstage. Let’s take a look at their musical journey so far. Background music: Symphony No. 39 by Mozart, played by the fellows from TOA

“Walter can be anything except for a pilot.” As a child, Walter was diagnosed with retinal degeneration, which left him with only 30% vision. Despite his condition, Walter’s mother always encouraged him to try new things. He won a place at The Chinese University of Hong Kong after achieving one A and two Bs in his A-Levels, and interned at German and Hong Kong investment banks. Although his résumé was impressive, his visual impairment remained a significant barrier to employment. This challenge inspired him to establish the Care-ER Association, which is dedicated to improving the career prospects of people with disabilities and fostering workplace inclusion.

“It had been a long time since I had spoken to anyone. They even asked me what I wanted!” Looking back, Ah Lik is still moved by the memories of the ImpactHK volunteers he met on one of their Kindness Walks a few years ago, in particular, the children who shook his hand and talked with him. For years, Ah Lik had lived without much food nor shelter, spending his days feeling hungry, desperate, and alone. When he was invited by the volunteers to the 29 community centre, Ah Lik felt his heart melt from the kindness shown. Now as a full time assistant at the centre, Ah Lik has not only found employment, but also friendship, care, and a sense of belonging. Today, Ah Lik hopes to help other homeless people rejoin society – just as the ImpactHK volunteers helped him do so back then.

“I hope to broaden my students’ horizons through education and open their eyes to a bigger world.” Kenny counts himself lucky to have grown up in a good environment with abundant learning resources. When he came across Teach For Hong Kong, Kenny felt a calling to promote educational equity, so he quit his consultancy job to become a teacher. His approach goes beyond textbooks, inspiring grassroots students to plan for their futures and forge their own paths.

A mentor can help us to develop our strengths and achieve our goals. Funded by TrustTomorrow, The Orchestra Academy Hong Kong (TOA) aims to nurture young local musicians. Candidates admitted to TOA’s Fellowship Programme will have the opportunity to train intensively at the HK Phil and received one-on-one guidance from professional musicians under mentorship scheme. Benjamin Moermond (Ben), Principal Bassoon with the HK Phil, is Fox’s mentor. In addition to discussing technique and performance, Ben also advises Fox on daily practice, concerts , auditions and more. This has helped Fox to improve both his bassoon skills and his confidence – valuable gains in his musical journey. Ben remarked, “Fox was perhaps a bit shy for the first few weeks but he grew tremendously during the programme. By the end of the season, he was fully comfortable performing with the orchestra!”

TrustTomorrow recently sponsored three Tung Chung teams in InspiringHK Sports Foundation’s Well Dunk programme. Through professional training and formal competitions, underprivileged youth persevered in the face of adversity and tested their endurance. The highlight of the programme was the "Well Dunk! Grand Finals" , which concluded on 16 July. Awardees of “The Best Player on the Team” took the stage to share valuable lessons from their journeys!

“A hot meal is not much, but it means a lot to seniors in need.” Maria Sung, owner of the social enterprise Holy Cafe Bakery, hires people with special learning needs to help them integrate into society. During the pandemic, even when business was hard, Mrs Sung still delivered free hot meals to underprivileged elderly and those in need.

One of the latest TrustTomorrow programmes is a HK$9 million donation to more than 30 member NGOs of Hong Kong Council of Social Service, supporting them in their efforts to provide various essential services to vulnerable groups and help them get through the recent wave.

Swire has been thriving with Hong Kong for 150 years and we have remained committed to this city through the many ups and downs.

The coral reefs in Hong Kong waters are so diverse, even more so than the Caribbean Sea which has the world’s largest coral concentrations.

Paul Chan and the team from Walk In Hong Kong helped curate the guided tour of Swire’s “Believe in Hong Kong” exhibition. In the course of preparing the tour, Paul reflected on his longstanding bond with Swire, from collecting Coca-Cola bottle caps for the free yoyos to living in Swire Hall and winning a Swire scholarship as a student at the University of Hong Kong.

Marine conservation is one of Swire Trust’s key focus areas. Through its TrustTomorrow initiative, it partnered with National Geographic to launch the "Oceans Tomorrow" campaign.

Standing on-stage with a viola resting on his left shoulder, Andrew Ling is the picture of concentration as his fingertips move swiftly across the strings; his other hand drawing the bow gracefully.

Joining forces once again with Soap Cycling, Swire Trust volunteers rolled up their sleeves to help make recycled soap on 26 June.

Established by Arts with the Disabled Association Hong Kong, ADAM is a social enterprise that strives to create professional opportunities for local artists with disabilities.

Swire has been committed to creating a vibrant community in Quarry Bay, from the time the Taikoo Sugar Refinery and Taikoo Dockyard were located there to the bustling hub it has become today with Taikoo Shing, Cityplaza and Taikoo Place.

Swire has grown with Hong Kong for half a century. To mark this important milestone, the Group has compiled a commemorative book of stories, as told by people and mementos.

Have you noticed the large-scale Swire posters that are currently on display across the city?

Other than sponsoring projects in the areas of Education, Marine Conservation and the Arts, Swire Trust’s TrustTomorrow hopes to support NGOs through volunteer programmes, where our people serve together to build a better community.

Christian Action – Centre for Refugees strives to serve those who are disadvantaged, marginalised, displaced or abandoned, regardless of their age, gender, nationality and religion.

Two Swire Scholarships recipients (Swire Scholars) look back on how the scholarship brought them closer to their dreams, as well as how their achievements now enable them to give back to society.

Meaningful life education can plant the seeds of positivity in students’ minds.

The TrustTomorrow initiative creates education opportunities for our community through partnering with organisations such as VTC, Time Auction and CareER.

We are now launching a MySwireStories Instagram page to showcase stories of Swire, its people and encounters over the past 150 years.

To reaffirm the Group’s ongoing commitment to Hong Kong, Swire has injected an additional HK$150 million into Swire Trust’s TrustTomorrow initiative. Learn more from the news.

Run by ImpactHK, ‘29’ is a community centre which provides career training and job opportunities for people who are experiencing homelessness.

Habitat for Humanity Hong Kong will improve the homes of over 60 underprivileged families, creating a study area for the kids with new tables and chairs to enhance their learning environment.

Through its “Building Community, Building Tung Chung” initiative, TrustTomorrow has been organising six online activities each month to help promote family wellbeing, as the pandemic continues to keep students at home.

Swire Trust’s TrustTomorrow is sponsoring St. James’ Settlement’s FOOD-CO through the Joyful Express community programme.

Swire Trust’s TrustTomorrow, is once again joining hands with St. James’ Settlement’s FOOD-CO. This year’s Joyful Express community programme will provide food and daily necessities to individuals in need.

Swire Trust's TrustTomorrow initiative teamed up with HandsOn Hong Kong and the Methodist Centre to launch a phone support initiative under the Integrated Discharge Support Programme for Elderly Patients.

Swire Group (Swire) will be continuing its sponsorship of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HK Phil) as Principal Patron for another three years from April 2021, with a grant of HK$46.4 million, the biggest corporate donation in the orchestra’s history.

InspiringHK Sports Foundation is teaming up with Swire Trust’s TrustTomorrow to boost spirits through physical exercise with a series of online and offline activities in Tung Chung.

Co-directed by the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra and The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (“HKAPA”), The Orchestra Academy Hong Kong (“TOA”) is launched with the support of a HK$9 million sponsorship from the Swire Trust.

To drive community inclusion and foster stronger connections with especially ethnic minority youths, Tina Chan, Swire’s Group Head of Philanthropy talked to the SCMP about the programmes that Swire has supported on to make a difference.

If you have something that will never get used up, what would you do with it? Auntie Choi will tell us all about it in “Extra Yarn”, a picture book by Mac Barnett.

Artist Teresa Ho from Arts with the Disabled Association Hong Kong will share tips on drawing quick portraits.

“Building Community, Building Tung Chung” is a partnership between Swire Trust’s TrustTomorrow funding initiative, the Hong Kong Council of Social Service, four local NGOs and the Association of School Heads of Islands District.

We are delighted to have invited artists from the ADAHK to lead two virtual art workshops starting this week. See You Online!

Swire Trust’s TrustTomorrow funding initiative has teamed up with non-profit organisations to supply care-packs to underprivileged families during the pandemic.

【Swire Symphony Under The Stars】See you online tomorrow (12 Dec) at HKT 7:30pm!

Since 2006, Swire has been Principal Patron of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, helping bring enrichment into the lives of Hong Kong people by making classical music accessible to all.

Hersha and Margaret are yoga therapists from the Joshua Hellmann Foundation and they’re here to guide you through a Kids Yoga practice.

We’ve invited Hersha and Margaret, yoga therapists from The Joshua Hellmann Foundation for Orphan Disease, to guide us all through a Hatha yoga practice!

During this difficult time, TrustTomorrow has funded St. James Settlement’s FOOD-CO platforms again to deliver fresh food packs to those in need.

In this uplifting and inspiring tale, Miss Rumphius fulfills her childhood promise to make the world a more beautiful place. Auntie Choi is here to share Miss Rumphius’ story with us.

Swire Trust’s TrustTomorrow has partnered with a number of NGOs to introduce “See You Online”: a programme that allows you and your family to take part in virtual storytelling sessions and yoga classes at home.

Swire Trust’s TrustTomorrow funding initiative is bringing positive energy to the community via the joy of cooking by supporting Swire Properties’ new community-outreach programme “Noodles for Love”.

Building on our first round of funding earlier this year, Swire Trust rolled out an additional HK$14 million in late September to help combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

As we battle through COVID-19, elderly people are amongst the most vulnerable members of our community. Granny Ho, a 90-year-old who suffers from chronic illnesses, is one example.

63-year old home-alone Ms Wong received food support from NGOs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tina Chan, Head of Philanthropy for The Swire Group Charitable Trust, spoke to SCMP about TrustTomorrow.

We're launching TrustTomorrow, a new funding initiative to deepen our long-held commitment to Hong Kong and to mark our century and a half of operating here.