The family support mission is called "Blue Bus Stay Connected". The name alludes to the dark blue buses used by Hong Kong Correctional Services shipping prison inmates around the city.

The inspiration arose from the experiences of Lau Hoi-bun, who ran away from home at 17 to become a gangster. He ran from an abusive father who beat Lau and his mother routinely. Years later, Lau killed a member of a rival gang, and was convicted of manslaughter.

After serving 18 years, Lau got married in the 1990s, got out of the gang lifestyle, and did odd jobs to raise his two sons. Lau has a bad temper and some achievement in kung fu, the volatile mix landed him more sojourns in prison for assault.

Once as he sat on that dark blue bus, he caught sight of a woman and two children. The kids' faces were red under the sun. As the trio drew nearer, Lau recognized them to be his wife and boys. He felt an overwhelming sadness, struck by the awareness of what a terrible burden he'd become to the people he loved. He decided to change. So, that was the seed that became the Blue Bus Project to help the kids especially because they are innocent victims of their families' circumstances.

Eric Chui, associate professor at the Department of Social Work, the University of Hong Kong, interviewed more than 80 families broken by prison.

He found that children left in the care of only one parent are more likely to suffer from emotional disturbances and develop delinquent behaviors. The problem is exacerbated by the cold reality that the remaining single parent faces additional emotional and financial stress, creating a vicious cycle for the children.

There are more than 60 family service centers under the Social Welfare Department, but the Blue Bus Project is specialized in helping offenders' families and their children. "People do not need to fear being discriminated after they open up. They find more understanding and practical assistance there," Chui said.

(HK Edition 08/30/2013 page4)