We are grateful to the Morgan Stanley volunteers who recently spent the afternoon with our beneficiaries. We welcomed the team with an introduction to the SAC Centre and our services. A paper art workshop was arranged and hosted by our members, who shared skills they had learnt through previous art therapy classes with the volunteers, using a train-the-trainer model. Together, they created beautiful greeting cards which will be distributed to other members to demonstrate love and care. A big thank you to the Morgan Stanley Hong Kong team for their efforts and generous donation of 100 gift packs.

SAC organized a public roadshow on 27 and 28 November at Yau Tsim Mong District, to showcase the art pieces made by PLHIV. Led by registered expressive art therapist, our patient members made artistic creations through different media for expressing their inner suppression due to their illness and COVID-19 epidemic. They made use of own creativity in fascinating mask design to express personal feelings and bring encouragement to the community. Other activities such as an exhibition to introduce the services of SAC and information on our unique women phone-in hotline and free HIV & Syphilis testing, red ribbon interaction zone and photo area were also held during the event.

Under the support of MTR Corporation Limited, SAC HIV Self Testing Service posters have been installed at the MTR stations of the East, West and Ma On Shan Line, and on the Kwun Tong, Island, Tseung Kwan O, Tung Chung and South Island Line, as well as the Light Rail, during 22 September to 5 October 2021. The promotion aimed to encourage the public to join SAC HIV self-testing service, and they are able to conduct self-test in privacy as preliminary screening of their HIV status to reach the target of “early testing, early treatment”.

The Society for AIDS Care (SAC) continues a 12-month joint school project, “Love with Care School Project” with Khemara Cambodia. Schools in Cambodia has been negatively impacted by COVID-19 and schools were closed since mid-March 2020. As a result, the school program has been deferred and group gathering activities were replaced with individual home visits. Fortunately, the jointed program has been successfully carried out and reached over 1,458 students. The new program has been started.

We have already started distributing the certificates & trophies of “Say No to Discrimination!" Design Contest 2020-2021. School teachers and participants are welcome to contact us for distribution arrangement. We are also pleased to announce that “Say No to Discrimination!" Design Contest 2021-2022 will open for application in September. Stay tuned for more information.

Under the threat of COVID-19, The 6th Asia Pacific Conference on AIDS and Co-infections went virtual again on 17-19 June this year, to ensure all participants can join the conference under a safe environment condition. The conference featured regional experts to provide community and health care perspectives, as well as national plans/ programs for implementation for strategies to eliminate stigma and discrimination. We are honored to be one of their supporting organizations for the sixth consecutive year. And our professional team has attended the online presentation of latest researches on HIV/AIDS presented by scholars at the conference.

The Society for AIDS Care (SAC) continues a 12-month joint school project, “Love with Care School Project” with Khemara Cambodia. On 15 February, Khemara Cambodia organized a Valentine’s Day Event with over 200 high school students in the Province of Tbong Khmum. Teachers and the local authorities were also participated in the event. The students took part in a Question and Answer Session on Sexual and Reproductive Health Education. By the end of the program, the students were able to gain a lot of knowledge on issues such as HIV prevention and child protection information.

The epidemic of COVID-19 has brought serious impact on Hong Kong. Apart from worrying about infections, rushing for buying epidemic prevention stuff and unemployment causing by deteriorated economic environment have caused a heavy burden on the public. Most of our members are grassroots, living alone or unable to work due to their physical conditions, extra expenses for purchasing epidemic prevention goods or other living needs also put a lot of pressure on them. With the support of The Swire Group Charitable Trust, we immediately distribute anti-epidemic materials and food support for members in need. In addition, health information related to epidemic is distributed regularly through electronic means and psychological support has also been rendered. We hope to walk through this tough period together with our members.

The Society for AIDS Care (SAC) and KHEMARA Cambodia have completed their joint project with enormous success last year! To continue our support in empowering students in the less developed countries in HIV care and prevention, we have commenced another 12-month joint school project, Love with Care School Project: HIV/ AIDS Prevention and Sexual and Reproductive Health Campaign. The project aims to increase the knowledge of HIV prevention and sexual reproductive health for school age children, in order to reduce the prevalence of HIV. Testing and counseling services will also provide to ensure all seropositive patients and those with sexual reproductive health issues can receive medical attention. The representatives of SAC and KHEMARA have signed an agreement and kicked off the project in October 2019.This year, the project will take place at two Secondary-High Schools in Tbong Khmum district, Tbong Khmum province, and in Peam Chileang, Thma Pechr, and the project will reach over 1,000 students directly.

A pilot study has been done by SAC on twenty-one participants with HIV, ages 56-84 years old. They were randomized into either the exercise group or the control group. The exercise group performed an eight-week supervised exercise program while the control group remained their usual daily activities. The Short Form 36 – Health Survey, grip strength, 30 seconds chair stand and six-minute walk test were measured as the outcomes. Our results showed that compared to the control group, the exercise group who were under supervised exercise program showed significant improvement in their physical health and reported better quality of life. In addition, this study has also been selected for a poster presentation on The third Asia Pacific Conference on AIDS and Co-infection (APACC). The study, “Chung, CH and Lou, VWQ (2019). Effects of Supervised Exercise on Physical Health and Quality of Life Among Older Adults Living With HIV in Hong Kong. Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care, May 14, Volume Publish Ahead of Print - Issue - p. doi: 10.1097/JNC.0000000000000099.” has been shared online, please visit the below link for more details. https://journals.lww.com/janac/Citation/publishahead/Effects_of_Supervised_Exercise_on_Physical_Health.99931.aspx

The fourth Asia Pacific Conference on AIDS and Co-infections (APACC) was held from 27 to 29 June at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The conference aims to promote dissemination and successful translation of new knowledge regarding HIV and co-infections while facilitating a neutral, scientific knowledge exchange. We are honored to be one of their supporting organizations for the fourth consecutive year. Our Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Alice Chan, is pleased to receive a certificate of appreciation from Dr. Patrick Chung-Ki Li, co-chairs of APACC 2019 for our continued contribution. In addition, we have set up a booth at the venue to introduce our services and activities. Our professional team also attended the latest researches on HIV/AIDS presented by scholars at the conference.

The Society for AIDS Care was sponsored by M·A·C Cosmetics’ charitable campaign VIVA GLAM to launch the “Care and Support; Walk Together” Fabric Art Creation Exhibition from 8 June to 9 Jun at Domain Mall, Yau Tong. The exhibition exhibited fabric artworks handmade by people living with HIV/ AIDS (PLHIV), by using simple sewing, patchwork and cross-stitch techniques. The artwork enabled them to bring their creativity in full and helped to build up their self- confidence during the process. Also, a supportive peer network was developed through collective creations. The exhibition attracted many people to view our exhibits and learn more about our services. We hope that the public will be able to join together with PLHIV by appreciating their talents and understand their feelings. We hope to join hands with the public to achieve zero discrimination towards PLHIV.

We have participated in the Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer Charity Sales, organized by Foodlink on 7th May. A charity sale booth was set up to introduce our direct patient care and rehabilitation services. Many office staff showed their support and purchased products handmade by our members. Applause for Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer Hong Kong!

Under the support of The Equal Opportunities Commission, SAC had hosted a series of roadshow exhibitions in shopping malls around Hong Kong from August 2018. The third “Say No to Discrimination!” Roadshow Exhibition was held at G/F, Fortune City One, Shatin from 5th to 6th Oct 2018. The exhibition showcased the masks designed and handmade by secondary school students and the public participated in the Mask Design Contest, as well as the art pieces created by our members. The exhibition aimed to understand more about HIV/AIDS and to spread the message of encouraging public to reconsider HIV/AIDS discrimination and give a hand to PLHIV.

From August 2018, SAC had hosted a series of roadshow exhibitions in shopping malls around Hong Kong. The second “Say No to Discrimination!” Roadshow Exhibition was held at Lok Fu Place from 14th to 15th Sep 2018. The exhibition showcased the masks designed and handmade by secondary school students and the public participated in the Mask Design Contest. The exhibition aimed to understand more about HIV/AIDS and to spread the message of encouraging public to reconsider HIV/AIDS discrimination and give a hand to PLHIV. This program is supported by The Equal Opportunities Commission. Mask Design Contest 2018-2019 is now open for application, we welcome secondary school student and the public to join the contest. Through the contest, students and public participants are invited to learn more about HIV/ AIDS and the challenges PLHIV faced through creating masks, thus to eliminate misconceptions and discrimination.

From August 2018, SAC had hosted a series of roadshow exhibitions in the aforementioned shopping malls around Hong Kong. The first “Say No to Discrimination!” Roadshow Exhibition was held at L2, Leung King Plaza, Tuen Mun from 23 to 24 August 2018. The exhibition showcased the masks designed and handmade by secondary school students and the public participated in the Mask Design Contest, as well as the art pieces created by our members. The exhibition aimed to understand more about HIV/AIDS and to spread the message of encouraging public to reconsider HIV/AIDS discrimination and give a hand to PLHIV.

Supported by HSBC Hong Kong Community Partnership Programme, The Society for AIDS Care (SAC) provided a 12-months long Health-Mind-Care Therapy program, aims to encourage people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) to build a positive attitude towards difficulties. The second art roadshow exhibition was organized on 26-28 July 2018 at Fa Yuen Street, Prince Edward; Portland Street, Mongkok and Haiphong Road, Tsim Sha Tsui to showcase the art pieces made by PLHIV. Three visual arts experiential activities were displayed in the exhibition, including fabric arts, oil painting and floral arts. Other activities such as an exhibition to introduce the service of SAC, red ribbon interaction zone and photo area were also held during the roadshow. The exhibitions aim to promote the importance of HIV/AIDS awareness, eliminate the stigma and discrimination towards PLHIV and achieve “zero infection for the next generation.

Art has no boundaries. Through artistic creation, it can reveal the inner feelings of the author and their interaction with the environment. Sponsored by M∙A∙C AIDS Fund, SAC organized the “Love and Care・Join Together” Art Exhibition on 2-3 Jun 2018 at Domain Mall, Yau Tong. There are three visual arts experiential activities displayed in the exhibition, including acrylic painting, photography and circle painting. By using art as a media, PLHIV discover individual talents during the creative process, confidence was enhanced and a supportive peer network was developed through sharing personal feelings. In addition, we hope that the public will be able to join hand with PLHIV by appreciating their talents and understand their feelings. Together, we build a HIV-free and zero AIDS deaths future.

Our long term supporter, Mr. George Dovas is a senior yoga class teacher. He was invited to hold a yoga class at Sheung Wan, the Naked Hub on 22 Jan. During the event, George raised and donated HKD $6,000 to support SAC services. We are honored to be invited to attend the class and shared our work to the participants and our mission of achieving “Zero Infection for the Next Generation.

Our fund-raising team visited three communities between August and October in 2017, including Homantin, Tseung Kwan O and Stanley. We have presented our society was the first non-governmental organizations in Asia providing high quality direct services to PLHIVs, promoting latest AIDs news, as well as women hotline and free testing services. Let the public clarify the misunderstanding towards AIDs, so as to facilitate full community reintegration.

Our fund-raising team visited three communities between August and October in 2017, including Homantin, Tseung Kwan O and Stanley. We have presented our society was the first non-governmental organizations in Asia providing high quality direct services to PLHIVs, promoting latest AIDs news, as well as women hotline and free testing services. Let the public clarify the misunderstanding towards AIDs, so as to facilitate full community reintegration.

The first Superhero Run was completed successfully on 8 Nov 2015 at Kai Tai Cruise Terminal. Several hundreds of participants joined hands to support “Zero Infection for the Next Generation”.

We have joined the Expo organized by The Hong Kong Council of Social Service three consecutive years from 2015-2017, introducing our services and events to corporate representatives to explore partnership opportunities. In 2017, the Expo was held on 10 Mar in the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

We organized Charity Book Fair in Discovery Bay Recreation Club in Aug and in Wonderful Worlds of Whampoa in Sep. Over 10,000 books had been collected from residents of Discovery Bay and Whampoa Garden for sale. We are grateful for the generous support and help we received from volunteers at the Book Fairs.

Have you ever thought how miserable it could be if one found herself being infected with HIV during pregnancy? Normally for a pregnant woman, it is a joyful experience to look forward to a new page in life with her born baby. However, the sky falls on the mom if she was told she was HIV +. She is often left helpless, in despair and afraid to tell anyone of her predicament. Fortunately as medicine advances, pregnant women infected with HIV can give birth to a HIV-free baby.

To celebrate our 20th anniversary, a special SAC MILK MILK Saving Bank was designed by a volunteer contemporary illustrator Dorophy Tang to collect love & blessings as well as encourage public to make donation in supporting our “Mother-to-Child Transmission Prevention” Program, building a future of Zero Infection for the Next Generation.

We set up a booth at the Expo held in Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in 2013, 2014 and 2016. In the Expo 2016, we have introduced our services and the importance of the new Women Phone-in Hotline and HIV Testing Service to visitors. Charity sale was also held during the event.

The campaign was commenced to promote anti-discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) and raise the public awareness on AIDS prevention and care in Hong Kong. Our Red Tees were designed to echo with the theme of World AIDS Day in 2008 and 2010 by renowned Hong Kong designer, Ms. Ranee Kok and local illustrator Din Dong respectively. All proceeds from the charity sale of RED TEE were spent on eliminating discrimination and fighting for the right for PLWHA, through maintaining AIDS-related programs and direct care services.

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We are honored to be the beneficiary organization of Lan Kwai Fong (LKF) Carnival 2014. A total of 4 booths were set up at the Carnival on 11-12 Oct, as well as a 6-feet tall “MILK MILK” Saving Bank at the entrance to collect donation and blessing.

LKF Carnival 2014 is organized by Lan Kwai Fong Association. Booths provided face painting, instant photo-taking, distribution of balloons, “MILK MILK” Saving Bank packs and selected masks from Mask Design Contest with the help from over 70 volunteers. Free condoms were also given out to adults to promote safe sex. Games were also designed to provide information about HIV/AIDS to participants and to raise their HIV/AIDS awareness.