Miss Ng Sai Woon, a foster parent from our Agency, was awarded the Chief Executive's Community Service Award at the 1999 Honors and Awards Presentation Ceremony of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. This award was presented by Chief Executive of Hong Kong SAR Mr Tung Kin Wah to praise her years of contribution.

Miss Ng's husband, Mr Chan Hon Hung, commented that: " I didn't expect my wife, as a housewife, will receive such an honorable award from the Chief Executive of Hong Kong SAR." Presently retired, Mr Chan has worked in the police force for more than 30 years. He always wish to receive an certificate of merit for his contribution during his years of working there. However, his wish never came true. On the contrary, his wife has received a service award for her devotion and kindness being a foster parent.

The couple reflected that: "The award is a symbol of encouragement. We are glad that our commitment was recognized. It has also proved that the importance of foster care service has been acknowledged. As a matter of fact, it hasn't affected us much if we received this award or not. We still take care of our foster children as in the past."

Miss Wong Yau Lin, our social worker who assisted the couples, pointed out that the main reason for Mr and Mrs Chan to receive this award is because of their devotion, lovingness and care to the foster children, regardless to their age and background. They treat everyone of them as their own child. During all the home visits, Miss Wong could feel that the children also treat this foster home as their own home. This makes the service provider feel safe to let their children stay at the couple's home.

Miss Wong Yau Lin was also amazed by how the couples use the appropriate ways to teach and guide the children according to each of their distinct character. This is an important stage in the children's grow up process. As Mr Chan Hong Hung stated: "Which child doesn't need to be taught? I won't refuse to teach a child just because he is not my own child. I believe in two important factors: 1) when rewarding or punishing, you have to be fair to both your own children the foster children; 2) the right way of guiding children should balance between reward and punishment."

Mr and Mrs Chan still keep in touch with their foster children even after they have returned to their own homes. At times, these children visit the couples during holidays such as Chinese New Year and Mid-Autumn Festival. They will also go outings together or meet for tea. Nearly all the friends of Mr and Mrs Chan treated the foster children as the real family members of the couples.

Mr Chan Hong Hun last stated, "I hope more people will become foster parents. All it takes is your own commitment." In fact, Mr and Mrs Chan have become the role model of foster parents. Mr Chan's sister has already been another good foster parents, and more and more of their friends and relatives are approaching them to inquire about how to become a foster parent!