Wong Chan Chong - Camp Quality Volunteer

In May 1998, Camp Quality Hong Kong, an international organization providing year-round support for children undergoing treatment for cancer and their families, was founded in Hong Kong with the support from the Australian Headquarters and the Rotary Club of Kowloon North.

As I recall, during the Easter holidays in 2002, my organization, a voluntary first-aid group, was invited by Camp Quality Hong Kong to provide first-aid service for one of its camps. As we did not know much about the conditions of the campers, we were very much concerned and made careful arrangements. After arrival, we were surprised that all the campers and companions at camp were full of life, which was indeed beyond our imagination of a sad and gloomy atmosphere. During the camp activities, all campers were active in taking part in the games and events and they were full of happiness throughout camp. Even the companions were full of energy and upbeat. Although we were just standing nearby and watching them, we were still moved by their dynamic spirit. This was my first camping experience with Camp Quality.

Months later, I was again invited to provide first-aid service at one of the camps, sometimes I would also be asked to take on the role of a companion and thus I was able to make more contacts with the campers. After attending several camps, I found that they are just the same as normal children, but with more confidence and stamina.

I can still remember the trip to Macau in 2004. It started to rain when the campers were visiting the famous attraction “The Ruins of St. Paul's”. The rain was not heavy but still we had to change our schedule. Everybody was disappointed since we had to leave early and was going to the gathering location, another first-aid colleague of mine and I saw a lovely camper telling her companion that her leg was in pain. I asked her if she needed help and told her we could carry her to the gathering location. To our great astonishment, she refused with firm confidence. I had to respect her decision but followed her in case she needed any help. I was thinking, a healthy kid in this situation might have already got someone to carry them by now…On another occasion when I was at camp, I noticed that one older camper who was active in all the games was booming with confidence and full of courage…I realized then who she was from the newspapers, she was a member of the Hong Kong Handicapped Sports Team and had won many international competitions. This camper must have given a lot of effort and tremendous stamina to become a successful sports lady with only one leg. I believer her efforts and the morale that she had was definitely much more than any normal athlete. But on the contrary, as a physically healthy person, I always complain. I should learn from their stories of gaining success from frustrations, fostering a confident and unremitting spirit.

Now that I have become a member of Camp Quality, I am eagerly looking forward to the day that I can be more actively engaged in the camp activities so that I can learn more and more from the campers…

All the best to everyone at Camp Quality for a brighter future.

Wong Chan Chong
“First-aide 68”