ABOUT US

As a young child, I remember my father sharing his day with my grandmother everyday. He taught me how important it is to respect and value the elderly.

As a caring doctor, my father offered free treatment to the underprivileged. He told me, “Whatever career you choose, always remember to serve your community.” He encouraged me to support the helpless and comfort those who have no hope.

After retirement, I chose to serve the elderly because many elders have lost their sense of purpose and feel lonely. But when they interact with the young, something magical happens. The sheer joy of engaging with energetic youth is refreshing.

Youth learn to get out of their comfort zone and learn how to communicate with, care for, and respect the elderly. They learn that it is more blessed to give than to receive.

We have an expanding partnership with elder facilities, schools, and universities. But the real impact is not in statistics. It is felt, seen, and experienced. I invite you to visit us. You will inhale warmth and see how we are harnessing the fun-loving spirit of youth and injecting this into elders.

Poh Lee Tan, Mighty Oaks Founder

When the young and young-at-heart join together, this unique and precious intergenerational nurturing and bonding can often bring unparalleled joy and newfound understanding. It may be the glue that holds a busy family together, or a healing balm for a fractured society.

One of my late grandmother’s favourite Bible verses, and one that defined her most as a Christian educator, is Proverbs 22:6: “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”

My hope is that every child can be shepherded by a wise and caring elder, and that every elder be gloriously blessed in return.

Lydia Chan, Mighty Oaks Director

Mighty Oaks’ vision, that every elderly person deserves to live with dignity, purpose, hope and love, touched Master Wong’s heart. He created this artistic representation of our name as a gift to our organisation.

Master Wong loved art, poetry, and calligraphy. After retirement, he continued to teach calligraphy, host exhibitions of his own work, as well as that of his students, published books, and contributed to community, including to Mighty Oaks.

Master Wong was one of the judges of our art competition, an event to encourage young artists to paint for the elderly. He always had a kind and encouraging word, not only for the winners, but also for many of the other young artists. He continued to support us as a judge until he passed away at the age of ninety-nine.

“As a teacher for over seventy years, I practice what I preach, and continue to learn and improve. I observe the changing cultural shifts and aspire to create a second rainbow in my life.”

Master Wong, thank you for inspiring us and being such an important part of the Mighty Oaks community. We appreciate and respect you.

Poh Lee Tan, Mighty Oaks Founder

Even while my grandparents were in their 80s and 90s, they had tonnes of friends of different ages and backgrounds – from the young man at the swimming pool to the cleaning lady at the mall. They were the loving, power couple who everyone wanted to be associated with. Because of them, I aspired to be strong, independent, and most importantly, a loving and generous person to people around me.

In April 2022, we lost our beloved por por (grandma) to cancer – two days before my wedding. I never imagined I would not have my por por with me on my wedding day. There I was, walking down the aisle wearing a wedding dress that she chose for me, with a pair of earrings that she had saved for my wedding day, and into a marriage that she had been praying for and blessing.

Though my por por is no longer with us, her influence and impact will be with me throughout my life. At Mighty Oaks, I love that I can interact with other elders, even if it’s just for a brief chat or a hug. It allows me to spread the love that I have for my por por, which in a way heals my grief, and also continues the bond I have with her.

Jocelyn Wat, Mighty Oaks Team

She was always there for me. She was my other parent. When I fell off my bike or got hurt at school, it was to my nanny that I’d burst into tears and ask for a hug. When I was sick and ran a fever, she would always stay up with me at nights to take care of me.

My nanny was wise in the ways that only those who survived the tumultuous first half of the twentieth century can be – and she freely shared those life lessons with me. She also instilled in me values of kindness, generosity, integrity, and loyalty.

I visited my nanny every two weeks for many years when she grew old and moved into a nursing home.  During those visits, our roles reversed.  She would turn to me for advice and comfort, and share with me her fears and joys.

I reflected on the arc of our relationship when she passed away. I realized that the elders we depend on will age, and then we become the caregivers. We are the warmth that they draw close to; we become the comfort that puts them at ease. I joined MO because there are many elders in Hong Kong who need that same care, love, comfort, and warmth that my nanny received in her final years.

Lilian Ho

While learning about “community art,” I realised that elders are often a neglected group. A few years ago, I created an interactive installation about tea culture using ceramics. During the early research process, I conducted street interviews about the role that tea played in an elder’s daily life. What surprised me during the interviews was that a lot of elders told me that they didn’t have time to enjoy tea. Originally, I had a misconception that grandpas and grandmas enjoy tea and eat dim sum during the day. But the truth is, many of our elders live difficult lives that are far from the leisure tea-appreciating lives that I imagined.

After I graduated, I looked for work in community art and came across Mighty Oaks, which allowed me to bring art and education into the community, and work with elders as well as people from different backgrounds and ages. I believe by working with them via the medium of art, together we will create a beautiful tapestry.

Jack Tang