Rev. LAU Lap-mo
Chairman of the Board
The service theme for this year is "Transformation and Partnership," celebrating the establishment of the new company. Starting in 2023, the Organisation began the "corporatization" process , aiming for a more flexible structure to respond to societal changes, enhance governance and operational effectiveness, and continuously and effectively promote the development of social services. On April 1, 2024, Christian & Missionary Alliance Social Services Limited was officially launched, operating as an independent entity and embarking on a new chapter.
Reflecting on its development journey, Christian & Missionary Alliance has been actively involved in social care work since the 1950s, with services covering refugee relief and charitable education. Over several decades, the legacy has been passed on, and the Organisation now operates a total of 11 government-subvented service units, including 4 Elderly Neighbourhood Centres, 6 Nursery Schools and Social Work Service for Pre-primary Institutions. Simultaneously, it runs multiple self-financing service centres and short-term projects established in response to societal needs. The Organisation upholds the mission of "Loving People with Christ’s Love" and firmly responds to community needs. The establishment of the new company inherits this mission and continuously provides social services through concrete actions.
I sincerely thank all colleagues at the service units, church brothers and sisters, community volunteers, and supporters of various funds. Because of your enthusiastic commitment and selfless dedication, the elderly, parents, and children receive valuable support and are no longer alone on their journey through life. Over the past year, we have flexibly adjusted to the situation to promote our services, meeting the diverse needs of users in support and learning while maintaining a stable volume of services. Furthermore, each service centre continuously reviews and implements policies based on the "Service Quality Standards," ensuring stable service performance. In February 2025, members of the Board of Directors and the Nursery School Management Committee visited Yau Lai Neighbourhood Elderly Centre and Plover Cove Nursery School, where they felt the dedication and professionalism of the colleagues and received unanimous affirmation from the service users.
In terms of governance, I was appointed as the Chairperson of the new Board of Directors this year. The new Board of Directors was established in December 2023 and consists of 11 members, including social service partners, church representatives, and professionals from the social welfare, accounting, and human resources sectors, working together to realize the mission of "In the Spirit of Christ’s Love, to preach the Gospel, to provide wholistic care, to serve the community." Over the past year, Board representatives have actively participated in industry conferences and good governance-related training, such as financial and legal seminars, to enhance the Board’s governance effectiveness.
We continue to review service operations and management arrangements in accordance with the guidelines of the Social Welfare Department’s Lump Sum Grant Manual. The Board of Directors regularly reviews financial status, reserve levels, and human resource allocation, and makes arrangements for designated accounts and five-year financial planning. Human Resources and Finance Sub-committee and Service Development Sub-committee also operate actively, regularly proposing suggestions to improve policies and formulate development directions. In terms of early childhood services, the 9 members of the Nursery School Management Committee also fully exercise their supervisory and planning functions, regularly submitting reports to the Board of Directors to ensure a coordinated and orderly governance structure.
Simultaneously, self-financing services still rely on fundraising support. Thank God for His grace and provision, as the Organisation was approved by Social Welfare Department on April 20, 2024, to hold a territory-wide Flag Day, raising over HK$1.5 million to sustain the operation of three self-financing services. We extend our sincere gratitude to all supporters and participants.
Looking ahead, we are committed to upholding our original aspiration, striving to provide quality, timely, and effective services, and continuously pursuing excellence to respond to the rapidly changing challenges. It is particularly gratifying that in August 2024, the Organisation was selected by the Social Welfare Department to undertake the "District-based Pre-primary Institutions Social Work Service", providing stationed social worker support to 18 nursery schools in the Southern District of Hong Kong Island, catering to the needs of young children and their families. Furthermore, the Social Welfare Department approved the granting of a venue of over 2,000 square feet in the Ap Lei Chau Centre to us at market rent, allowing Lei Fook Neighbourhood Elderly Centre to expand and benefit more elderly people. These are all graces and opportunities bestowed by the Lord , motivating us to continue to move forward faithfully and complete God’s commission wholeheartedly.
Although the social environment is unpredictable, we firmly believe that the Lord Jesus is the solid rock forever. We hope that everyone will watch together in one heart and walk hand-in-hand, bringing Christ’s love and care deep into the hearts of every service user. I wish everyone good health, spiritual joy, and abundant grace from the Lord in the new year!"
In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: "It is more blessed to give than to receive." (Acts 20:35)
(From Christian & Missionary Alliance Social Services Limited 2024-2025 Annual Report of Social Services）