Hope in Hong Kong

HONG KONG

Dunstan de Souza KMG reports on the Order of Malta’s Third Asia Pacific Youth Camp in Hong Kong.

The Third Asia Pacific camp saw approximately 100 disabled young adults engage in sporting and social activities, parties, and dinner shows, with guests coming from Cambodia, Hong Kong, the People’s Republic of China, The Netherlands, Australia and Indonesia.

For the last 36 years, the Order of Malta has run camps for disabled young adults between the ages of 18 and 30. The goals of the camps are to forge a sense of community, promote cultural exchange and help young people overcome personal barriers.

The European camps now attract between 400 and 600 participants depending on the capacity of the venue.

In 2017, the Order organised such a camp in the Asia Pacific region for the first time, hosted by the Singapore association.

The third Asia Pacific Youth Camp was held in Hong Kong from 22 to 26 October 2019. Despite all the civil unrest and the uncertain situation in Hong Kong, or perhaps because of it, the camp was a most inspiring experience for me and the participants.

There were approximately 100 participants at the camp. This number was down from 150 that had booked to attend at one stage. Understandably, many who were planning to attend withdrew because of the civil unrest.

With the participants who did turn up we had a camp filled with inspiration, fun, resilience, courage and faith. We all came away better for the experience.

Guests at the camp came from Cambodia, Hong Kong, the People’s Republic of China, The Netherlands, Australia and Indonesia. The Australian contingent comprised three disabled guests, three carers and seven members and volunteers from the Australian Association. The range of activities included games, sporting activities, tourist outings, adventure activities, karaoke, shows and liturgical celebrations, and all were wonderful. We were also so happy to see our amazing Grand Hospitaller, H.E. Dominique de La Rochefoucauld-Montbel, make the enormous effort to travel to Hong Kong for the camp.

The camp formally started with an Opening Ceremony, which commenced with a Mass and then a parade of nations. Two or three athletes represented each country, one of whom carried their nation’s flag. Solon Toiava carried Australia’s flag, a larger than life guest from Sydney.

During the days, there were lots of varied

activities. They included rock climbing, bubble soccer, swimming, archery, painting, table tennis, an adventure ship cruise, a visit to a theme park and so much more. The organisers put in such an amazing effort.

Every evening there was a party in the main hall at the camp venue. The theme would range from karaoke to disco to professional after dinner shows, including an internationally renowned magician. He was meant to stay for only 30 minutes but left some four hours later as he was so inspired by our guests and had such fun. And there was always lots of dancing.

I think it is fair to say that each night Australia’s representative Solon was the best dancer, best singer, had the loudest laugh, and was easily the most entertaining person at the camp.

Every evening, before that evening’s party, we would be shown a compilation video of the previous day’s activities and evening party thanks to three

videographers from Austria who have recorded these camps for years. This was one of the many highlights each day.

The Australian Association members and volunteers at the camp included Daniel Kwok, Rachel Boffa, Dalton Fogarty, Eoghan Wright, Anna Sammut, Peter Park and me, Dunstan de Souza.

The resilience, courage and joy displayed by the guests was inspirational. Seeing several wheelchair-bound guests doing rock climbing while still in their chairs was just stunning. There were tears of joy each time one made it to the top, and even if they didn’t. Seeing a brave 34-year-old go on his first roller coaster ride was inspirational – and terrifying for him. Seeing a person with stumps for legs dangling in a harness off the side of a boat and then being dropped into the sea laughing all the way was just so much fun.

Seeing the joy all the guests showed in everything they did was a lesson for all

of us. Despite all their obvious challenges, they were filled with joy and courage.

A special thank you to the organisers: Alfons Mensdorff-Pouilly, Desirée Jebsen, Selina Fung and the whole Hong Kong team who were so well organised and welcoming. They could not do enough for us. They even looked after us when the conference had finished and some of us stayed on for a few more days.

The Australian Association will have the challenge and privilege of hosting the next Asia-Pacific. It was meant to be in September 2020 but because of the COVID-19 circumstances the camp has been pushed back to September 2021 on the Gold Coast.

If you are interested in helping as a volunteer or funding activities, please contact Danny Higgins, the Hospitaller for the North Eastern region and the leader of the Camp Organising Committee on dannyhiggins@optusnet.com.au.