Between political unrest, Covid 19, lots of people leaving and now the TaiPo fire, Hong Kong people have been through a lot. A number of people have told me that they are leaving for their kids (they want a better future for them) and I have talked to others who tell me that they are staying because they need the money. They have established themselves here in Hong Kong and they are afraid to leave and start over again somewhere else. It doesn’t sound like a very positive atmosphere, does it? I think in Hong Kong, most people tend to put their trust in money. We tend to believe that if we have enough money, we will have a good quality of life and be happy. Well, money can buy a lot of things, but it can’t buy mental health, or connectedness to others. Still there is good news for Hong Kong.
We are Busy and We Often Turn to Things
Practically speaking it’s hard to spend quality time with family and friends when you are working overtime so much of the time. We are really busy here and we have money to spend on consumer gadgets, but not necessarily time to spend with those we love. Hong Kong used to be the world’s largest marketplace for electronics. Now China holds that title, but you can still find everything tech here. Smartphones, cameras, watches, computers and so much more. Hong Kongers love their gadgets and spend a significant amount of their time and money on their gadgets.
Finding Help in Times of Need
It stands to reason that Hong Kong people would turn to close friends for help in their time of need and not to their electronic gadgets. Unfortunately, with the cities constant push for efficiency and productivity, relationships are often neglected. A 2025 Mind HK survey involving 1000 participants 18 years old or older found that nearly 46% of those living in Hong Kong show, “mild to severe symptoms of depression or anxiety.” That’s an overwhelming number of people who need help. Mind HK also points out that 72 percent of the people surveyed were not able to find adequate support during their times of need. Relationships take time to maintain. As one Reddit post reads, “Everyone here is busy with their own stuff. No one has time for your bull _ _ _ _.”
Help From Uganda Africa
Where can Hong Kongers turn for help. Of course, there are many possibilities and their is no one single solution. Uganda Africa seems like a very unlikely place to find help. How could people from a poor country half way around the world help support Hong Kongers’ emotional health? If money were the answer to Hong Kong’s problems, they couldn’t. According to one study 60 percent of the people in Uganda make less than 2 dollars a day. If being born into the perfect family or having it all together were the answer to Hong Kong’s problems, they wouldn’t be able to help. It doesn’t seem to make any sense on the outside. Watoto children’s choir is comprised of orphans, but they don’t see themselves as orphans and they don’t call their home’s orphanages. They come from loving supportive communities. Yet they have been traveling the world singing and dancing and offering hope through Jesus Christ for 31 years now, and they have a message Hong Kong needs to hear.
Watoto
My wife, Tracy and I have been hosting Watoto for 3 years now. From the first concert we went to we were impressed. Their joy is contagious and faith building. They really believe in God and time and time again God has shown up for them. They shared stories of how God healed, restored and gave them a sense of purpose. A spark in my heart was lit, if God can come through for them, then why not for me also and for that matter why not for the people of Hong Kong? Those who had no sense of hope found hope and healing in Jesus Christ.
Interview with John
This year, I asked John to do an interview with me. I really appreciate his boldness in sharing about Watoto’s purpose. Watoto is having a big impact. Take a listen to the interview. If you want to hear part of concert, check out these previous posts –Watoto’s Better Day’s Tour or from the year before Watoto’s Children’s Choir Sing From Their Hearts
Hanging Out Together
Good News for Hong Kong
Good news for Hong Kong comes in different shapes and sizes. Charities, churches, non for profits, and individuals from many different backgrounds have chosen to give of themselves help others. Where ever you are at, make a choice to speak life into someone else’s life.
