In October 2023, the Student Affairs Office launched the year-long Me&U Community Caring Programme, selecting 30 enthusiastic students from among 100 applicants to form three service teams. In partnership with different organisations, the students planned and delivered a series of outreach services after undergoing relevant training.
Under the English Grammar Class and Mentorship Programme, the team not only offered voluntary private tuition to children living in sub-divided units, but also provided life guidance to them through games.
The team paid door-to-door visits to households living in sub-divided units to identify home repair service needs, and then made referrals to partnering organisations accordingly. Some team members also participated in the repairing work.
During the summer, the team organised the English Baking Classroom for the children.
Empowerment is more important than providing help. Service recipients don't necessarily need us to help change their current situation as that may be difficult. What they need is our understanding and support. Bringing happiness and positivity to their daily lives gives them strength. Having done so, we have already made a meaningful difference.
The team followed the Inspectorate of the Hong Kong Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) on a four-day outreach across Hong Kong to rescue animals in need, including abandoned kittens, lost dogs, and injured birds and bats.
Each team member participated in at least eight sessions of voluntary work at the SPCA Tsing Yi Centre. Their work included cleaning up the kennels at the Adoption Department.
The team shot and produced a video to promote animal welfare.
Collaborating with my teammates to create a short film to promote animal welfare was challenging yet rewarding. It involved communication and exchange of ideas. Although we had different opinions, being able to analyse everyone's ideas and come up with a final solution brought us a great sense of success as a team.
The team joined the Auxiliary Medical Service (AMS) to visit some 200 senior citizens living in To Kwa Wan and Tung Chung, bringing them supplies as well as teaching them to use the tablet for entertainment and conducting a mental health survey with them.
The team co-organised a health fun day for the elderly with the AMS. It was a joyful gathering with activities beneficial to the elderly's physical and mental health including health check, wound care, fan-making with a health theme and brain training games.
In collaboration with the HKSKH Lok Man Alice Kwok Integrated Service Centre, the team paid monthly visits to five elderly individuals in groups, making friends with them and offering them specific services.
The knowledge I had gained in the classroom regarding people's physical and mental well-being enabled me to offer better support to the elderly, while the practical skills I had learnt helped me navigate challenging situations during the visits.
