Loving Home experience

"The supreme happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved," - French novelist Victor Hugo.

If you pay attention, you can find love all around. The Club News is starting a new Loving Home corner where members can share stories about loving families.

Family provides support

Speaking at the Caring Company recognition ceremony, SHKP Vice Chairman & Managing Director Raymond Kwok (right photo, third right) said that his father instilled a strong sense of family in him, and that he, like his father, makes family a priority. A supportive family can help a person face the most difficult challenges and prevail, said Mr Kwok. Along this line of thought, SHKP actively promotes harmonious family life among staff members, helping employees strike a good balance between work and family. With strong support from the company and a family-friendly working environment, staff can fully develop their efficiency in work.

Family activities for staff

SHKP believes that being part of a close family can help relieve stress, so it holds regular activities like outings, sports and special interest classes for staff and their families. SHKP encourages staff members and their families to help charities; coordinating volunteer work under the SHKP Volunteer Team.

Concern for staff health

Staff health is another area that SHKP cares about. It organizes regular exercise sessions and lunchtime seminars on stress and health management. The company doesn't forget about retired staff, and has set up the SHKP Evergreen Club to stage regular gatherings, trips, seminars and other activities for retirees.

The virtue of giving - Ngai Wai-ling (membership number: 566332xx)

I joined the SHKP Club ten years ago. I always take part in Club activities with my parents, husband and daughter, since they offer good family fun. We went to the Noble Hill sports carnival, saw world-renowned acrobats at New Town Plaza, watched fireworks from Two ifc and more. All were a lot of fun.

Many Hong Kong people are too busy at work and sometimes neglect their families. I make family a priority. If you try, you will realize it's not hard to find time for family. I like picnics with my family and sometimes join activities with neighbours, so we can talk about our children. This also provides a chance for an only child to meet others in a group, so they learn how to get along.

Waffle says sorry - Irene (membership number: 743376xx)

I remember once when my daughter made a little waffle to apologize after I caught her telling lies. She was very young at the time, but our helper Maria showed her what to do. I didn't see her make it, but Maria told me about it later. My daughter spent the whole afternoon and made a mess of the kitchen, then put the waffle in the box and wrapped it with a paper saying "sorry I won't lie again".

She put the box on my desk and I saw it when I got home. I asked her where she got the money to buy a waffle. I thought she was telling lies again when she said she made it herself, but Maria explained. It was so touching, and there's nothing I can't forgive this loving girl for.

Ingredients (four waffles):

80 gms flour, a teaspoon starch, a teaspoon sugar, a quarter teaspoon of fine salt, 40 gms unsalted butter, 50 mls milk, 60 mls water and one egg.

Preparation

Mix flour, starch, sugar and salt.
Separate yolk and egg white. Mix yolk with milk and water, then add melted butter.
Combine with flour mix.
Whip egg whites and add to the mix.
Bake in the oven until brown. Top with peanut butter or thick cream for taste.

Listen to the children - Ho Siu-fong (membership number: 450096xx)

To Uncle Long Legs with Love: Letter counseling service from the eye of children is a book of 29 real letters written by children to Uncle Long Legs. The letters tell of how some children are neglected by their parents or suffer bullying by classmates, then each letter is followed by advice from a professional social worker on how to deal with the problem. I was very impressed by one comment: "When children express how they feel and think, you should realize it has taken them great courage to speak out."

The letters reveal children's insecurity and sometimes helplessness. I am sure people will learn a lot from this book and understand their own children's world, and eventually become good listeners to their children.

Title: To Uncle Long Legs with Love: Letter counseling service from the eye of children

Publisher: Service Coordination Office of Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hong Kong

Safe and comfortable home for parents - Mei Lam (membership number: 350125xx)

A friend was recently preparing to move into his new house. He lives with his parents, who are over 70, and while he talked excitedly about his ideas for the new place he hadn't given much thought to the arrangement for his parents. He said: "It doesn't matter with my parents' room. They just need a bed and a closet." I have lived with my parents for many years, and I know that a proper home can make a difference to their health.

Safety should be a top priority, especially in the bathroom. There should be sturdy handles by the bathtub, toilet and basin, and a folding chair next to the shower or a bath can be useful for old people. Non-slip floor covering adds safety.

The bedroom should be bright enough. Dim light can make older people feel sleepy all day long, so use white light bulbs. Insomnia is common among old people, so thick curtains can help make the room quiet for sleeping. Alternatively, silk curtains let in natural sunlight.

It's important to talk to your parents before you make any arrangement for them, because it's them you care about.