Hand-in-Hand for Benevolence – Tung Wah's Fundraising Culture and Social Development
1/F Thematic Galleries 1, 2 & Function Place
28.10.2020 – 7.3.2021
Jointly presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals
Jointly organised by the Hong Kong Heritage Museum and the Tung Wah Museum
Since its inception in 1870, the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals has provided medical, educational and social services to the people of Hong Kong. Tung Wah has also been actively engaged in humanitarian efforts, such as disaster relief, burial and bone repatriation services, and refugee support for Chinese communities at home and abroad. Tung Wah's contribution to the Chinese populace is widely recognised and deeply appreciated in all walks of life.
To sustain and expand its diverse services, Tung Wah organises a variety of fundraising activities every year to reach out to generous supporters. In the Group's early days, this involved door-to-door alms collection. In the early 20th century it involved charity opera performances and religious rituals. In the post-war period, Tung Wah organised charity Cantonese opera concerts with prominent stars, fundraising funfairs and television galas. And in more recent times, it has made personal appeals to individuals and families, fundraising activities are also held on online platforms. These activities have encouraged different levels of society to give to charitable causes and have raised public awareness of the importance of giving to charity. Visual and documentary records of these activities have captured the evolving faces of Hong Kong society through the years and reflected the 150-year-old Group's ability to keep abreast of the changing times. Tung Wah's success in connecting fundraising with mass entertainment has enriched people's lives, as they derive enjoyment through philanthropy.
This exhibition features more than 200 invaluable artefacts and a vast array of historical photos. It allows visitors to gain understanding on the social development of Hong Kong through Tung Wah's fundraising culture and to relive the collective memory of Hong Kong people embodied therein.
Visitors of "Hand-in-Hand for Benevolence – Tung Wah's Fundraising Culture and Social Development" will receive a piggy bank or a memo pad. Available while stocks last.
Exhibit Highlights
Plaque with the Inscription "Shen Wei Pu You" (the God Protects All) Bestowed upon the Tung Wah Hospital by Qing Emperor Guangxu
1879
Collection of the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals
TWGHs Charity Funfair Raffle Ticket
Prizes were attractive, the first prize was one floor of a building.
1965
Collection of the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals
House Programme for Charity Film Premiere of The Phantom Lover
1995
Collection of the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals
Poster for Tung Wah Charity Gala 1981
Tung Wah Charity Gala, the longest-standing live fundraising programme in Hong Kong television history, is an annual event where well-known figures in Cantonese opera and films would put in all they can to raise funds for Tung Wah.
Collection of the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals
Charity Cantonese Opera Performance The Romance of the White Snake
1961
Collection of the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals
Banknote Origami Decoration by Liza Wang Fan Club
2018
Courtesy of Mr. Eddie Wang
(From right) Renowned actresses Felicia Wong, Shum Chi Wah, Nancy Sit and Petrina Fung sell charity funfair raffle tickets.
1966
Collection of the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals
These costumes were worn by Koi Ming Fai, Joyce and Ng Mei Ying in the performance of the scene "Dreams of Three Paintings" from Dreams of a Chinese Studio in Tung Wah Charity Gala 2011.
Courtesy of Sunbeam Chinese Opera Cultural Company
Exhibition Shots
Interactive experiences are offered in the exhibition. Visitors can keep the ‘donation' up and up when participating in the games.
