Hong Kong Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) was founded by a group of devoted Christian women in 1920. To uphold the principles of the World Young Women’s Christian Association (World YWCA), and follow Emma Robarts and Lady Mary Jane Kinnaird’s footsteps in gathering women with a prayer group and hostel that received young ladies who left home, the Association strives to advance the spiritual, mental, physical and social welfare of women, to promote their growth in Christian character and to cultivate Christian spirit of fellowship and service.

Since their inception, YWCA has endeavoured to strive for women’s rights such as eradicating illiteracy among women, promoting monogamy and “equal work for equal pay”. Advocating the caring spirit of Christ, and the purpose of “Enhancement of Life”, the Association now provides women-oriented services that move with the times.

As a diversified social service organisation with more than 100 units all over Hong Kong, YWCA has an annual service attendance exceeding 3 million, serving different groups of people in need, including toddlers, children, youth, women, adults, elderly and families.

YWCA Youth Camp has provided service since 1968, providing day camp, overnight camp and adventure activities. Their camp was renovated in 2004 and officially launched in January 2009, which has now been renamed as the HKYWCA Sydney Leong Holiday Lodge. Until now, the camp has served 410,965 people, including school, NGOs, church, uniform team, family and corporate companies etc.

The resort incorporates sky gardens, natural lighting, concrete dry walls and other natural design features by the 2009 World Association of Chinese Architects (WACA) and the 2007 Hong Kong Institute of Architects (HKIA) Merit Award.

57 solar panels were installed on the rooftops of three buildings, with a system capacity of 35 kWp. Its power generation in the first year was 32,576 kWh.

Information Source: YWCA and HKYWCA Sydney Leong Holiday Lodge Webpage