Christian Service News
Issue 59 (April 2008)
Newsflash
Helping Children of Chronically III Parents – Project MSN
Health is important not only to individuals, but also to families. Families with health problems, especially chronic illnesses, may cause great emotional trauma to every member. A series of tragedies in recent years resulting from mentally or physically ill parents and their helpless children serve to remind us the vulnerability of these families.
“Project MSN – Mutual Support Network” is launched to assist children living with parents who suffer from chronic mental or physical illnesses. A child’s emotional and developmental needs may be stunted because of the parent’s limitations. By introducing knowledge about their parents’ illnesses, the children are led to a positive entry into the family’s secret. Contingency plans will be made with parents and children through open discussion under proper intervention. They will learn to protect themselves and to identify dangerous situations. A variety of groups and programs are introduced at the same time to strengthen their positive psychological development and to provide them with more life chances. With the help from volunteers who act as their “guardian angels”, the children get more love and care that will continuously support them to go through difficult situations.
By providing a strong community support network, Project Life MSN aims to rebuild a child’s self-esteem and strengthen the parent/child relationship.
(Project Life MSN serves age 6 to 15 children whose parent(s) is suffering from chronic illness, including physical illness or mental health impairment. Service boundary includes Yuen Long, Tuen Mun and Tin Shui Wai. For enquiry, please contact us at 2474 6611.)