Spirit of Hong Kong Awards: medical volunteers heal mind and body with pivot to arts
Eli Care is a volunteer group that integrates Western and Chinese medicine, clinical counselling, and arts and crafts into its work
When medical volunteers found their efforts to provide consultations and counselling services to remote areas in Hong Kong and overseas were having a limited impact, they changed tactics and set up a new organisation.
“So we made a small change, shifting from just medicine to incorporating the arts. We wanted to focus on both physical and mental well-being,” traditional Chinese medicine practitioner Lam Kar-yeung said.
In 2017, Lam and clinical counsellor Jennifer Wong Ming-wai founded Eli Care, a volunteer group that integrates Western and traditional Chinese medicine, clinical counselling, and arts and crafts into its work.
Eli Care has been shortlisted for this year’s Spirit of Hong Kong Awards in the teamwork category for its efforts to combine diverse expertise to help those in need.
The annual event, jointly organised by the South China Morning Post and property developer Sino Group, honours the achievements of remarkable people or groups whose endeavours might otherwise go unnoticed.
In addition to free medical consultations, which include physical check-ups and medication advice, the group offers activities such as photography and arts and crafts – helping to address patients’ physical and mental needs.
