Christine Cheung:
Helping others to help themselves
and extending love
“Caring for others as we care for our own” pretty much explains Christine Cheung’s journey. She joined the Life Education Ambassador Programme in 2022 as a Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU) student. Her initial motivation was to find ways to communicate better with her grandmother. Starting as a participant, she eventually became a mentor. Over the past two years, her journey has been a testament to the transformative power of volunteer work.
From Participant to Mentor: A Journey of Self-Discovery
As a Psychology and Mental Health student, Christine’s interest in psychology began in secondary school when she overcame her emotional challenges with the help of a social worker. “At that time, I lacked the motivation to socialize, so my social worker encouraged me to participate in a bazaar to sell DIY clay crafts according to my interests. I was thrilled at that time. Not only did I get a good price, but I also recognized my self-worth,” said Christine.
Driven by her passion for psychology, Christine pursued further studies at Hong Kong Metropolitan University, attracted by its comprehensive programme covering psychology and counselling. “The most attractive thing about the programme at the University is that it covers psychology and counselling, which is very comprehensive,” she says. With aspirations to obtain a master’s degree in counselling or clinical psychology after graduation, Christine is dedicated to making a difference in the field.
The Unexpected “Lucky Tree”
Christine joined the Life Education Ambassador Training Programme in 2022. “There is little talk about life and death education in Hong Kong. Moreover, my grandmother often talks about the word ‘death’, which makes her think negatively. I hope that by visiting the elderly and helping them, I can bring the relevant experience back home to help my grandmother,” she says.
The programme included communication skills, makeup workshops, etc. Christine and another student went to a residential care home to visit an elderly woman. The connection between the elderly and Christine grew stronger as they engaged in activities, including finger painting. “The first time we met her, we taught her how to draw a finger painting, but soon there was an obstacle: for some reason, her fingers could only be dipped in ‘green’, so we decided to draw only trees. Later, Granny described the painting as including the three of us, with the tree being her, the flowers and plants next to it being us, accompanying the tree. A ‘lucky tree’ which she called. We could not have imagined that she would give special meaning to the painting, treasure it, and stick it in a prominent place.”
After establishing a relationship, it was even better when she offered to take a personal photo of the elderly. “When she found out that the photos could be used for funerals in the future, she agreed without saying a word, and when she received the booklet of her life story that we had made for her, she appreciated it very much and read it back and forth many times.”
Reflecting and growing through activities
Christine’s volunteer work benefited others and transformed her perspective on life. “I’ve learned Active Listening and summarizing skills from my books, and I’ve been able to put them to good use when I volunteer, and I’ve realized what it means. This love extends to her family and her grandmother. In the past, I used to be the one who shared most of my conversations with my grandmother. Still, now I listen and provide her with opportunities to express herself,”
“I don’t overreact to her constant talk of ‘death’, and I’m less judgmental,” Christine says, reflecting on her personal growth through her experiences.
As a student leader, Christine leads other students in makeup sessions and photography and shares tips. ” When the elderly do not want to wear full makeup, we can say, ‘Makeup can make your complexion look rosier.’, and usually, the elderly are willing to put on a bit of rouge.” In addition, she will advise the students according to their activity plans and give them advance notice of some difficulties so that they can make corrections, such as preparing semi-finished products when doing handicrafts according to the varying abilities of the elders.
Christine is active in campus life and extracurricular activities, and encourages everyone to seize the opportunity to participate. “Participating in activities gives us a sense of achievement, and it is fun to meet different people. Student Affairs Office also provides various opportunities for students to serve the community and show their strengths. For example, last year was the ‘Make a Difference in your Community’ project, where students conceived and implemented projects based on social issues, such as environmental protection, mental health, the elderly. The outstanding group could even go to Africa to participate in the service-learning trip. The prizes are lovely, and I would have signed up for the programme if I had not been in the final year!”
Christine Cheung
