By Father Paul Kam Po-wai
On 24 July, I had the privilege of going to Tuen Mun for the 30th Anniversary Celebration of the Caritas HUGS Centre. It was a deeply moving and unforgettable experience.
Many of you might not have heard of the Caritas HUGS Centre before. Founded back in 1996, it mainly offers counselling and support for people struggling with substance abuse. The Chinese name “Yung Po” [Garden of Acceptance] stands for a place of acceptance, nurture, and growth. It’s also a play on words for the English acronym “HUGS”.
The celebration had two main parts: a Light Rail tour and the “HUGS 30” Ceremony.
For the Light Rail tour, around 30 guests and friends set off happily on the “HUGS 30” tram at 2:00pm promptly. Starting from Tai Hing [North] and finishing at Pui To, the journey passed through 12 stops and took 50 minutes. It was a deeply personal and touching journey.
Along the way, a social worker and a service user shared a conversation, giving us a chance to listen to a heartfelt story of true companionship. Since the speaker grew up in Tuen Mun, almost every stop held memories from his life. As the event brochure put it: “Listen to the sound of the tracks, feel the warmth of thirty years walking together.” Hearing his story and reading the brochure was truly heartwarming.
What stuck with me most was when he said: “The Light Rail has a final stop, but companionship doesn’t. May we all stand by each other and use hugs to help keep drugs away.” It showed me just how important and powerful the support of social workers, partners, family, and friends really is.
After the tour, we headed to the Jockey Club Theatre for the 30th anniversary ceremony. It was a warm, emotional family gathering. Around 200 people attended—staff, service users and their families, partners, friends, and volunteers. Several people who had fought addiction shared their stories, speaking honestly about their struggles and how, after years of ups and downs with the unwavering support of social workers and loved ones, they finally overcame addiction and turned their lives around.
Now, they have the strength and courage to help others. On top of these moving stories, a group of parents performed an original play, vividly capturing their emotions and the tough times they weathered with their children.
A huge thank you to everyone involved in organising this event which allowed us to see and feel the incredible dedication and hard work of the centre’s team over the last thirty years. May everyone supported by the centre, along with their families and partners, continue to walk hand in hand with the team and spread love and care across the community. Thank you again to all the staff for your wonderful work!
Keep it up! Onward to 30, 60, and 100 years of “hugs”—carrying forward the love, the hope, and the embrace!
