CHURCHES
(Continuation)
the weak, the object of its solicitude being the abandoned children of the poor—L'Asile of Holy Childhood
The majority of our readers are familiar with the austere building known as the French Convent situated on Praya East overlooking the men-of-war anchorage, and covering a large area of ground extending from Queen's Road East down to the sea-front. There are few, however, who realise the good work that has been going on within this refuge. For the past fifty years the saintly sisters of the Convent have been rescuing thousands of native infants from death by disease, starvation and maltreatment, cherishing and educating the discarded offspring, born in poverty and shame and protecting the persecuted slave girl from the brutality of her owner. Silently, unostentatiously and devotedly this little band of Sisters of the order of Saint Paul de Chartres has laboured from one year's end to another.
The Press of that time was taking note of the need for new premises owing to the increasing calls on the institution's resources. The following year, 1904, the Government made a grant of land at Happy Valley and there the new children's hospital was built.
In the S.C.M. Post of April 20, 1906, we find the following:—
"The Superioress and Sisters of the Asile de la Sainte Enfance are making an appeal to the charity of all those who recognise the value of the work in which they are engaged. The object is to provide funds for the further extension of their charity by building a new Hospice on the ground at Wongneichong, very kindly given by the Government. The present premises at Wanchai are very fully occupied and cannot accommodate any more inmates; it is therefore proposed to make room at Wongneichong for aged and infirm people who are permanently kept, also for the increasing number of destitute infant children who are sent to or left at the Convent and are taken care of. The Asile de la Sainte Enfance at Wanchai is so well known that it is hardly necessary to give details of the work done. It may however be stated that permanent inmates of the Institution number about 380 and that about 1,600 destitute children and sick people are received in the course of a year. The Superioress would wish to remark that no appeal has been made to the public for providing buildings since the year 1883, and after that date, schools, infirmary and hospital have been added. The present need is so urgent and the expense so heavy that this appeal is reluctantly made, yet with confidence in the generosity of the public, towards a very worthy object.
That confidence was not misplaced, and the necessary funds were duly forthcoming.
Yesterday, the history of the French Convent was sketched, from its opening in 1848 in premises at Wanchai to the time of its first expansion, when the hospice known as Le Calvaire was about to be constructed at Happy Valley. We have seen that there was an appeal for funds for this purpose, in 1906; and two years later the aim was accomplished.
Page 158
CHURCHES
(Continuation )
the weak, the object of its solicitude being the abandoned children of the poor- L'Asile of Holy Chilhood
The majority of our readers are familiar with the austere building known as the Rench Convent situated on Praya East overlooking the men-of-war anchorage, and covering a large area of ground extending from Queen's Road East down to the sea-front. There are few, however, who realise the good work that has been going on within this refuge. For the past fifty years the saintly sisters of the Convent have been rescuing thousands of native infants from death by disease, starvation and maltreatment, cherishing and edu- cating the discarded offspring, born in poverty and shame and protecting the persecuted slave girl from the brutality of her owner. Silantly, unostentatiously and devotedly this little band of Sisters of the order of Saint Paul de Chartres has laboured from one year's end to another.
#
The Press of that time was taking note of the need for new premises wwing to the increasing calls on the ins- titution's resources. The following year, 1904, the Govern- ment made a grant of land at Happy Valley and there the new children's hospital was built.
In the 8.0.M. Post ofApril 20, 1906, we find the following :-
"The Superioress and Sisters of the Asile de la Sainte Enfance are making an appeal to the charity of all those who recognise the value of the work in which they are engaged. The object is to provide funds for the further extension of their chairty by building a new Hos- pice on the ground at Wongneicheong, very kindly given. by the Government. The present premises at Wanchai are very fully occupied and cannot accommodate any more inmates it is therefore proposed to make room at Wongneichong for aged and infirm people who are permanently kept, also for the increasing number of destitute infant children who are sent to or left at the Convent and are taken care of. The Asile de la Sainte Enfance at Wanchai is so well known that it is hardly necessary to give details of the work done. It may however be stated that permanent inmates of the Institution number about 380 and that about 1,6000 desti- tute children and sick people are received in the course of & year. The Superioress would wish to remark that no appeal has been made to the public for providing buildings since the year 1883, and after that date, schools, infir- mary and hospital have been added. The present need is so urgent and the expense so heavy that this appeal is reluc- tantly made, yet with confidence in the generosity of the public, towards a very worthy object.
That confidence was not misplaced, and the neces- sary funds were duly forthcoming.
Yesterday, the history of the French Convent was sketched, from its opening in 1848 in premises at Wanchai to the time of its first expansion, when the hospice krwn as Le Calvaire was about to be constructed at Happy Valley. We have seen that there was an appeal for funds for this purpose, in 1906; and two years later the aim was accompli- shed.
158
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