Stewards originates from the Christian Brethren movement of this century. The word Stewards in Chinese stands for someone whom God entrusts.
Back in the early 1950s, Hong Kong's population doubled to over two million people within a very short period of time. At that time, the Government of Hong Kong had limited resources to cope with the large number of refugees from Mainland China. Most of the population was then poor and deprived. In the face of such sudden social changes, Christian missionary work also took a drastic change. Missionaries provided for the basic needs of the people while also sharing with them the Good News of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The first school, founded by an American missionary called Mrs. Viola Decker, was Pooi Kei School located in Wong Tai Sin. Two other missionaries, Miss Ruth Whitehead and Miss Frances Hollingsworth, also set up High Rock Christian School in Sha Tin Village. Mr. William Decker later expanded the education work with the opening of Jordan Valley Primary School, Pooi Nga Primary School, Pooi Shing Primary School and Kindergarten, Tsing Tsing Kindergarten, Pooi Yan Kindergarten and Pooi Tun Secondary School. A number of these schools were what was known as roof-top schools. Despite the limited facilities in such schools, students were able to receive a good education thanks to a group of caring and competent teachers.
In the area of health care, our first clinic was opened in 1956 in Chuk Yuen. The original Peace Clinic, a large Nissen hut, was started by a British missionary called Miss Frances Wilks. The Clinic provided free medical and tooth-removing service to the poor people.
In the early days, different missionaries started different work independently. They were all self-supporting. Funding in those days came from Churches in the United States of America, United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. In view of the growing need for health care in the early 1960s, our missionaries applied to the Government for land to set up a purpose-built clinic in Kwun Tong. Peace Clinic and Crippled Boys Home, a 3 storey building, was completed in 1966 and became home for 40 children who suffered from the Polio disease.
Stewards was incorporated in 1962. Since then, it has developed various educational, medical and social services to serve the local community and has strived to build a better tomorrow of Hong Kong hand in hand with Hong Kong people.
For details, please visit Stewards website.