The old and new areas in Tai Kok Tsui alternate. There are many bright and beautiful mansions here, and there are old districts there. There are street sleepers under the tunnels and bridges.
Some people only feel that the homeless are suffocating, but others see the efforts of this group of people to change.
In an inner street in this area, there is a "community kitchen" opened by a non-profit organization and designed like a western restaurant. From the glass window, I can see that the employees are working hard to make lunch boxes that look like two or three meals. The scene is peculiar enough. It turns out that the people who work here have experienced homelessness, and the hundreds of meals they make will be distributed to the homeless in the district on the same day.
The founder of Community Kitchen admits that he is proud to see his employees at work.
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ImpactHK, a local non-profit organization, has been providing support to the homeless to help them become self-reliant. Earlier, the organization opened its first community kitchen "Kind Kitchen" in Tai Kok Tsui, providing about 2,200 meals a week to the homeless and disadvantaged groups, while providing employment opportunities for the former homeless to learn the skills they need to reintegrate into society.
In this story of ex-homeless helping the homeless, Eppie, 58, is one of the employees, not long ago she was also homeless.
Eppie pointed out that he left his family of origin very early and moved to live with his boyfriend and his mother in his early years, but in 1997, his boyfriend died suddenly.
She said that she decided to move out of her boyfriend's house in order not to be hurt by the scene, but because she didn't want her family to worry about "not being able to return home," she had committed crimes and knew that friends she met in the correctional facility would sleep in the park, " I went there and found the canal on the flyover in Nanchang Village at that time. I didn’t return to the house (mother’s house) that night, but sleeping in the rough seemed to be relieved, looking at the sky and seeing the sky, I didn’t need to think too much.”
Row sleepers have their own stories. Eppie, 58, was a homeless not long ago. Now, he has been accommodated in a house and works in a community kitchen.
(Photo by Ou Jiale)
Unforgettable Volunteers of Former Street Sleepers
Street sleepers each have their own stories. According to Eppie's explanation, they were "undetermined" at the time, and "something that I don't want to put down."
But about 7 or 8 years ago, the overpass where Eppie used to sleep in the street was "cleared" by the government. The outreach volunteers who had been in contact with Eppie for a long time offered to arrange temporary accommodation for her; Later, if he commits another crime, he will be admitted to the correctional institution. "I remember that I returned on July 20, 2020, and then I went to live in Tongzhou Street Park. I was so surprised to see Jeff (the founder of Tonglu She), knowing that he has always been Don't give up, I want to touch me all day long." She described the volunteers as "feeling and righteous", and their kindness made her feel guilty for her self-willedness.
What really set Eppie's life on its current track was an accident.
At that time, Eppie was taking out the garbage part-time. When it rained at night, when she pushed the garbage truck up the ramp, she was accidentally pressed against her leg by the car body. The wound grew from the size of a fingernail to a "winter dump", and it still did not heal after half a year.
At that time, a social worker said to take her to treatment, but when she got off the bus, she arrived at the center of Tonglu She.
Eppie pointed out that the volunteers gave her advice and care at the time, and arranged accommodation for her on the same day, so she had to accept it.
Later, she joined the fellowship program and began to work as a center assistant in the form of a subsidy. "After working for about 3 months, the social worker will open the kitchen after the social worker talks. I like depression, so I immediately chose the kitchen to do it." She pointed out, Working in the kitchen on weekdays is very particular, and also pay attention to cleanliness. From time to time, I have participated in workshops taught by hotel staff, and I have benefited a lot. Seeing the community kitchen gradually taking shape from a "concrete room", Eppie said that he was very moved.
Jeff Rotmeyer, founder and CEO of Tonglushe, said that the establishment of the community kitchen "Kind Kitchen" this time hopes to provide employment opportunities and comprehensively assist the homeless.
(Photo by O Jiale)
'Canada also has a problem of rough sleeping'
Jeff Rotmeyer from Canada, who has moved to Hong Kong since 2005, recalled that he was initially brought to the homeless camp by a friend, "I saw a group of people who were in pain, they were struggling, and it was very upsetting to see it. Sad." Jeff pointed out that there is also a problem of rough sleeping in Canada, the difference is, "It's all over the city, you can see it, but in Hong Kong it's a hidden problem, and living in Hong Kong doesn't necessarily know about it." So in 8 years My former friend and I launched the "Kindness Walks" every month, constantly visiting and condoling to the homeless. Five years ago, I gave up being a teacher and founded the non-profit organization Tonglushe.
Jeff pointed out that unlike other organizations in the market, Tonglushe hopes to address the problem of rough sleeping as comprehensively as possible, such as providing shelter, food support, life guidance, as well as art, music and friendship. The establishment of the community kitchen "Kind Kitchen" this time also Hope to provide employment opportunities.
Just like "writing CVs" for this group of former homeless people, Tonglushe's catering partners hold training workshops from time to time, in order to lay a solid foundation for them to re-enter the catering or service industry in the future and explore their dreams.
"What we create is not only employment opportunities, but also opportunities for them to help others." Jeff pointed out that the five employees in the kitchen had all experienced homelessness. After overcoming the challenges, they helped people who are facing the same difficulties when they were employed. , is significant for both parties; opening the kitchen is an unprecedented move, but he hopes to succeed and support more homeless people with this innovative approach.
Eppie was deeply moved by Jeff's efforts, and together they wrote stories of ex-homeless helping the homeless in this community kitchen.
(Photo by O Jiale)
Homeless People Are Apologized by the LCSD : To talk about money, talk about justice
01 Community
