Issue: 03/2006

Finding hope in a sensory garden

The Haven of Hope Sunnyside School sensory garden was two years in planning and construction. It offers an outdoor play and therapy facility for mentally-handicapped students. SHKP helped design the garden, paid part of the construction cost and staged fundraising sales in 20 of its malls to collect public donations for the project.

Chris and his family.

Patience is a virtue

Chris works in the disciplined services and has a 12-year-old son who just started secondary school and a ten-year-old daughter Natalie. Natalie has mental and physical handicaps, so she lives and studies at the Haven of Hope Sunnyside School in Tseung Kwan O. Natalie often has difficulty communicating, so Chris has to try different ways to comfort her if she becomes upset, which often tries his patience. He often left it up to his wife to look after the children as a result.

New interest in parenting

Religion led Chris to take a new interest in parenting three years ago. He decided to spend more time with his family and take part in activities with Natalie at Sunnyside School. He has been impressed with her progress since she began sensory therapy. Her reactions have developed and she is better able to avoid injuries, for example pulling her hand away from hot water. She is also much more motivated to learn.

Peaceful refuge

Chris walks with Natalie around the school's new sensory garden after work. Natalie is so happy with the sound of the wind and curious about the source whenever they walk by the rock tunnel. Her happy face is a great joy for Chris.