Those Chinese people who came to Hong Kong to earn a living in the early days lead extremely difficult lives. In times of trouble, they reached out to industry, native and kai-fong (neighbourhood) associations for assistance. Over time, Chinese communities developed a strong spirit of mutual support. This photograph shows Queen's Road Central to the west of Central Market in the early 20th century. Burgeoning with shops on both sides of the road, this is indeed a prosperous scene.
The Berlin Foundling House in Hong Kong Island West; circa 1900. The orphanage, initially located in rented premises on Morrison Hill, was founded in the 1850s by the Berlin Ladies Mission for China to care for orphan girls. In 1860, it was relocated to the new premises in Sai Ying Pun depicted in this photograph. In 1903 it was renamed the Bethesda Home.
The directors of the Tung Wah Hospital generously supported the founding of the Po Leung Kuk association (originally named Po Leung Kung Kuk). The upper floors of Ping On and Fook Sau buildings were loaned to Po Leung Kuk to provide shelter for women and children and for use as office space. This photograph shows the newly completed Ping On Building.
Group photo of Sir Kai Ho Kai (Centre), Colonial Secretary Stewart Lockhart and other officials and guests taken during the inauguration of the premises of Po Leung Kuk in 1896.
On 26 February 1918, a fire tore through the Happy Valley Race Course. Upon word of the fire, the Tung Wah Hospital sent medical personnel to tend to the many victims of the blaze.
After the fire at the Happy Valley Race Course, Tung Wah honoured the requests of the families of the deceased by establishing the Race Course Fire Victims' Cemetery in So Kon Po. A jiao ceremony was also organised so that victims' spirits could be redeemed. Taken in 1918, this photograph shows military personnel accessing damage to the racecourse after the fire.
People affected by a typhoon find temporary refuge in the clinic of the Kennedy Town Kai-Fong Welfare Association. The TWGHs directors of 1961/1962 delivered food and relief supplies to those affected. (TWGHs, Tung Wah Group of Hospitals)
Hong Kong residents wait in line at the Tung Wah Hospital to receive jumpers and blankets from Chairman Lim Kee Chin and Tung Wah directors on 4 January 1966.
Chairman Raymond Y. K. Kan and Tung Wah directors distribute clothes to those affected by torrential rain in Sau Mau Ping resite area (the present-day Tsui Ping Estate) in June 1972.
Tung Wah personnel distribute clothes to those affected by torrential rain in Sau Mau Ping resite area (the present-day Tsui Ping Estate) in June 1972.
Tung Wah's charitable and relief work continues to extend far beyond the borders of Hong Kong reaching those affected by calamities in mainland China and in Chinese communities across the globe. Taken in 1948, this photograph shows Tung Wah directors on an inspection tour of areas struck by flooding in Guangdong and Guangxi provinces.
This is a piece of property belonging to the Sam Yup Association in Hanford, California, the United States. The upper floor houses a temple, while the lower floor was used as a meeting place for the members of the association. The building was converted into a museum.
