a quarterly journal from the hongkong federation of youth groups December 2010 Volume 2 Number 4
Always here 1960-2010
Commemorative anniversary issue Contents Anniversary messages The Hon Donald Tsang, Patron Sir T.L. Yang, Vice Patron Mr George H. Stokes, Vice Patron Dr Peter Tsoi, President
5 Editorial
6 Highlight Rosanna Wong Ever changing, always here
Interviews HKFYG Council Members 16 Peter Tsoi, President Involved, connected, committed
18 Clara Shek, Ogilvy Listening, communicating, facilitating
19 Hubert Chan, HKC International Seeing two sides of cyberspace
20 Allen Fung, McKinsey Getting involved: a dose of reality
Feature 36 Internetscope Reaching out in cyberspace
38 City space Sporting chance
In the loop 46 Asia Bibi Dress to impress!
47 June Leung A chance to re-invent your self
48 Kaleidoscope George H. Stokes, Vice Patron The founding of the Federation December 2010 Volume 2 Number 4
Identifying needs, targeting problems Youth at risk 8 On the skids
10 Late night hang out
12 At the margins
14 Parent-child mediation Resolving conflicts
Counselling 22 Close to the edge
24 Special needs, special strategies
25 Turning monsters into kittens
27 Youth entrepreneurship Think sustainable: interview with Alex Tam, Ecosage co-owner
30 Youth SPOT project Saving up for future needs
Addictive behaviour 32 Escape from reality
34 Future at stake
40 Arts & culture Sugar Chan Why I dance
Travel 44 Anaita Tejpal Welcoming the New Year with lights: Diwali
45 Au Ka-lam The Chinese experience: Singapore, Taiwan and Hong Kong
HKFYG Core Services Counselling Parent-child Mediation Creativity Education & Youth Exchange Research & Publications e-Services Services for Youth at Risk Education Services Volunteer Services Leadership Training Youth Employment Leisure, Cultural & Sports Services Youth SPOTs HKFYG Anniversary Messages
Warmest congratulations to the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups on its 50th Anniversary. As our key partner in youth development, the Federation works tirelessly to encourage young people to lead a life driven by a sense of mission, civic- mindedness, healthy habits and positive attitudes.
Many of these young people have become responsible adults, model citizens and even brilliant leaders in our society.
I thank the Federation for its commitment to our younger generation. May I wish the Federation another fruitful half-century.
The Honourable Donald Tsang, GBM Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Patron
My most sincere congratulations for the Golden Jubilee. Together, we nurture young people; together, we strengthen them to face the challenges ahead, and together, for at least the next fifty years, the Federation will inspire them to even greater things.
Sir T.L. Yang, GBM, JP Vice Patron
The foundations of the HKFYG were established by the time I left in 1970. Those foundations still stand firm. The Federation meets so many needs in the community, with so many different activities now. May the good work continue for another fifty years.
Mr George H. Stokes, MBE Vice Patron
For fifty years, the Federation has been providing services to generations of young people. It would not have been possible without the assistance, encouragement and partnership of the community. On behalf of everyone at the Federation, I would like to express my deep gratitude for this support. We so value your trust in us.
Dr Peter Tsoi, JP President Editorial
would like to thank our Patron and Vice Patrons for their encouraging words and their abiding support. It is our honour, obligation and joy to fulfil our vision and mission to serve the young people I of Hong Kong. In this special issue of Youth Hong Kong, we have invited those at the frontline of Federation services to talk about their work. With them, we discover the nature of the young people we care for and serve. Outreach and social workers, along with mediators and counsellors, share the challenges they face, while young people reflect on their own experiences.
Hong Kong has changed over the past 50 years, as have the aspirations, issues, needs and dreams of young people. Throughout, the Federation has been here, constantly gaining insight into the world of youth so that we might be able to deliver relevant and timely services.
This is our commitment. It is our pledge and promise: to care, to serve, to always be here for each successive generation of Hong Kong’s young people.
Dr Rosanna Wong, DBE, JP Executive Director The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups December 2010
December 2010 Youth Hong Kong 5 Highlight Ever changing, always here by Rosanna Wong
No one would deny that the changes in Hong Kong over the past 50 years have been anything short of tremendous. Leaving aside the unique political transition from colony to Special Administrative Region, this is a city which has transformed itself economically and socially. Here we trace the parallel changes in services for youth.
In the 1960s, Hong Kong had a global reputation as a “factory city”, The 1970s were marked not only by the extension of government- manufacturing inexpensive, but not always safe or reliable products. A subsidized education from six to nine years, but also by the introduction burgeoning middle class was still dwarfed by the large labouring class of a housing policy and the emergence of subsidized primary which worked hard in difficult, dangerous conditions and lived simply, healthcare. The city was changing too as a result of the opening up of in overcrowded squatter settlements or housing estates. They received the mainland. This saw manufacturers moving their factories north of little by way of social provision or assistance from a government the border and Hong Kong redefining itself as a commercial, service- whose focus was on administrative affairs and containment of unrest, orientated city. As a result, incomes increased as did the standard and especially at the time of the 1967 riots and the acute water shortages. quality of living, allowing for a high degree of upward social and economic mobility. For a vast number of young people, working to help the family out of poverty took priority over both a carefree childhood and an education. With a dearth of trained youth workers, the various youth organizations “For a vast number of young could do little more than simply provide recreational facilities and people, working to help the family opportunities, instead of addressing more deep-rooted challenges and out of poverty took priority over offering in-depth, diversified services. both a carefree childhood and an education.” The beginnings of a social policy By the end of the 1960s and into the next decade, changes included a marked development in social policy. While some might argue that The emergence of new priorities this was a reactive, rather than a proactive action on the part of the Young people’s needs and issues were reflected in these changing times government to ensure social stability, it did improve the material and youth organizations responded by further consolidating their conditions of the people. Youth organizations also began introducing counselling and outreach work and by instigating a new focus on family various initiatives to establish more comprehensive services. Pilot life and school social work. The latter two developments are indicative projects included youth counselling and guidance, as well as service of Hong Kong’s growing stability, in that family and education now projects for young people working in industry and outreach social work. appear as major concerns, compared to poverty, long working hours However, the focus still tended to be on remedial work, rather than on and low wages in the past. the all-round development of young people and their potential.
6 Youth Hong Kong December 2010 Highlight
In the 1980s, the future of Hong Kong was negotiated. While this had forefront of commerce, including finance, shipping, tourism and service repercussions in political circles, the city was booming economically and industries. was slowly asserting itself as a wealthy business and financial centre. In fact, the ever-changing, ever-higher skyline was a visible indicator of the Increasing complexities growing prosperity of Hong Kong, in spite of the rise in emigration. The shift in attitude among young people reflected not only this growing wealth, but also a sense of entitlement, which was countered Increasing affluence, increased expectations by a focus on volunteering, and leadership development, awareness- With growing affluence, the challenges faced by young people changed building and education on how to give back to society. None of these as their expectations and aspirations rose. No longer dependent on new service areas detracted from fundamental counselling and needs- outlets for simple recreational activities, youth services now included related services, but the challenge for youth organizations was remaining relevant in a context of increasing complexity. focus-on holistic development and broader experiences. Young people were now being equipped with skills to face an increasingly competitive world, participating in increasingly popular exchange programmes, and getting involved in science and other educational activities outside the “The need to constantly update classroom. their competencies has placed today’s young people under levels of unprecedented pressure.” “With growing affluence, the challenges faced by young people Now, into the second decade of the new century, Hong Kong is not changed, as their expectations and only a global economic player, but a leader in human development as aspirations rose.” well. Ranked second by the World Bank in its index for ease of doing business, Hong Kong is also ranked highly in the newly released UNDP 20th Anniversary Human Development Report, entitled “The Real Wealth of As the professional standards of social and youth workers improved, Nations: Pathways to Human Development”. so too did their delivery of services to young people. With enhanced effectiveness and efficiency, the government consequently recognized Hong Kong has a key role to play in globalization and this too has had these efforts as standard subvented services. its effect on youth. Their need to constantly update competencies in the face of increased competitiveness from peers locally and overseas, along Politics and economics were the focus of the 1990s. The Handover with the rapidity of technological advancement, has placed them under was imminent and the Hong Kong government tried to ensure a stable unprecedented levels of pressure. The internet and new media have society. Emigration again was on the rise and while the community felt introduced new forms of connectivity and communication, while also uneasy, the markets were more affected by worldwide trends than local introducing new sets of problems and challenges. Youth organizations domestic politics. too have had to update and modernize their responses to ensure continued effective and efficient delivery of services to meet the needs of young people. Hong Kong was now confirmed as an affluent city, referred to as the world’s freest economy and one of the four dragons of Asia, at the Not always easy, and ever-evolving, the last 50 years of Hong Kong’s rapid and expansive development has had inevitable bearing on young people. Each generation of youth has been seen as the future, and at each stage of development, youth services have been there to assist, lead, educate, counsel and serve.•
Sources 1 “Fifty years: past and present at The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups”, Youth Hong Kong 2(1), March 2010, p.43. 2 The World Bank, Doing Business 2011 report on measuring business regulations, covering the period from June 2009 to May 2010. See http:// doingbusiness.org/rankings (accessed 7 November 2010) 3 UNDP, Human Development Index 2010, “The Real Wealth of Nations: Pathways to Human Development,” International Human Development Indicators, Hong Kong. See http://hdrstats.undp.org/en/countries/profiles/HKG. html. For the full report, see http://www.undp.org/publications/hdr2010/en/ HDR_2010_EN_Complete.pdf (accessed 7 November 2010)
December 2010 Youth Hong Kong 7 Identifying needs, targeting problems Youth at risk On the skids
Outreach services for vulnerable youth, at risk of involvement in drugs, violence or crime, are at the core of the Federation’s work. The three stories in this section, about drug abuse, petty theft and late night gang activity, are examples of the services in action.
Wing is 17. Ever since he was little, he has felt insecure. His parents got divorced when he was at primary school and now his mum works night shifts. He started hanging out with triads who gave him a sense of protection.
That’s how he got into drugs, and dropped out from school. There was never much supervision at home and most of his time there he used to spend online. He got pocket money for drugs from his unemployed father who lives off Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) welfare payments. Wing told us about his experience, and how the Federation helped him give up drugs.
Almost everyone I used to hang out with did drugs. It One day at a friend's home, I blacked out. It had happened was normal. Just like drinking coke or eating noodles. I before but this time it was different. I started throwing remember snorting my first hit of K. I was with a up blood and my stomach burned so I couldn't member of the gang. It was no big deal, I stand. On the way home at an MTR just felt a bit distant. So I did it again. station I blacked out again. That’s when the Federation social Then I really went K-riding. worker found me. Right into the K-hole. It was like floating, like flying, a She took me to a doctor. real mind-out-of-body He said I had bladder feeling. Because Mum damage and a stomach was working all the time ulcer. I haven't done and Dad was out of the K for a few months picture, it was easy to get now. I feel better about away with it. everything, I don't fight with my Mum any more I started buying drugs online and my Dad is speaking to and had them delivered. In me again. the end I needed them so badly that if I couldn’t get money off Dad I also joined Project Shine and the I would steal it off him, till he found out. social workers helped me get my place Then I spent the money Mum gave me for food on back at school. I’ve discovered break dancing too. drugs. I almost never ate anything. I kept forgetting things. Break dancing really helps so I go down and join the I dropped out completely from school and didn't care others a couple of nights a week. The only reason I stay because I was flying high. But actually I was on the skids. out late now is for break dancing.
8 Youth Hong Kong December 2010 Identifying needs, targeting problems
Every time I think about how I used to be I feel sick. So many of my friends think they're fine but I know they're HKFYG’s outreach programme and Project Shine not. Now I remember everything I learn at school. I even The immediate outreach service provided by HKFYG for Wing was feel smarter. But even now I still can't remember a lot of based on his most urgent needs. Subsequent intervention included what happened before I quit. medical check-ups, activities and, later, help finding work. The goal was to help him grow and develop while reflecting on his behaviour I’ve got a message for parents, especially if they are and acquiring positive values. divorced. Get on the same page as your kid. Check in with them often, and be sneaky if you suspect something. Learn Project Shine is a Beat Drugs project run by HKFYG Outreaching Social Work Teams in Tsuen Wan and Kwai Chung, and Sai Kung how to check a computer history log. If my Mum knew and Wong Tai Sin districts. It helped 144 youngsters like Wing from how to do that, she would have known I had a problem.• September 2008 to August 2010 and organized 47 anti-drug abuse programmes for about 3,340 young participants during that period. Project Shine went into its second phase in September 2010 and Project Shine II will build on past experience, offering counselling to high-risk and habitual drugs users. A clinical psychologist will join Note In Hong Kong, ketamine, often known as “K” or “K Jai”, is the drug of the team which is supported by partners in the local community, choice for teenagers. It is easily available and cheaper than drugs like including government departments and district organizations. heroin and Ecstasy, at about HK$100 per gram compared to about HK$80 for an Ecstasy tablet. Users often take several Ecstasy tablets together, but a group of users share a gram of ketamine. For more on youth drug Web http://www.hkfyg.org.hk/chi/yar/index1c.html abuse in Hong Kong, see Youth Hong Kong December 2009.
All names and some of the circumstances surrounding the people in these stories have been adjusted to protect identities.
December 2010 Youth Hong Kong 9 Identifying needs, targeting problems Youth at risk Late night hang out
Outreach social workers are keen observers, and they sometimes keep youngsters out of trouble. Young people who hang out late in public places might be escaping tension at home. Others are looking for personal space, stressed out by high-density living. A few of them need help.
Late at night, the outreach workers go round parks, playgrounds, promenades and internet cafés. On foot or by car. The idea is to keep an eye on things. Often they work the same neighbourhoods. Developing rapport with the young people who hang out there. Bored kids, chatting, playing cards, break dancing or skateboarding. This story, set in the present tense for dramatic effect, describes how they deal with one incident.
It's Friday night. Mike and Kathy, two of the outreach team, are in a housing estate playground. They see a group of teenagers. The two they know look different somehow. What’s up? Obviously neither want to talk. Even though Mike and Kathy have known them for months. Strange, Ben and Chris usually like to chat about what’s happening. Trivial or important, it’s all the same. Tonight’s different. Something serious. There are unfamiliar faces. Maybe a bit older, 17 or 18. They don’t look happy. Quite annoyed in fact.
“Hi guys, how’s life?” Kathy’s worried. Wants to make sure Ben and Chris aren’t in danger. She and Mike introduce themselves to the older guys. Ask if they’re “Not bad, same as usual.” interested in the outreach show in Tseung Kwan O Sports Centre that night. It keeps going till 2am. “Did you get that part-time job, Chris?” Not interested. Dismissive even. Soon, the group breaks up. Looking “Nope. Still looking.” purposeful. They disappear quickly.
“How about you, Ben? Catching up better in class?” Ben and Chris, usually go home about midnight or they go to the Sports Centre. Not tonight. Still worried some kind of fight’s brewing, Mike “So far so good.” and Kathy follow. Ben and Chris are in a park 5 minutes’ walk away. On the fringes of a much larger group. It looks like an argument with “Everything OK guys?” another gang. Kathy decides to break in. No weapons were in sight. But trouble for sure. “Why d’you keep asking?” “Hey guys. Anything we can do? You’re looking kind of unhappy.” “You look a bit worried, Ben. That’s all.” The tension between the groups seems to ease a bit. Kathy’s been “He’s alright, Kathy. Leave him alone.” around for a while. Her face is known. She understands the dynamics of
10 Youth Hong Kong December 2010 Identifying needs, targeting problems
situations like this. Maybe it’s her tone of voice. Or her body language. Maybe it’s just that she’s older. Finally, Ben’s older brother, Rocky, who’d Extended Services for Young Night Drifters The services began in 2001 in Sai Kung and Tseung Kwan O. been in the playground earlier, steps forward. He’s grown a beard. They are proactive rather than reactive, geared to build positive self-images and set life goals. Of 855 young people who used “Almost a fight at Ben’s school today,” he mutters. “He tripped the services in 2009/10, about 78% (664) were male and 22% (191) female. Most were aged 14-17 and came from a mix of up another boy in the corridor. He got insulted. It didn’t get family backgrounds. Apart from handling potential crises such as physical. But I still don’t like that.” the one in the story, outreach workers also take young people home if need be, and tell them about daytime youth services, Rocky’s a pretty tough, aggressive type. He doesn’t like anyone messing if appropriate. They follow up more closely as necessary, on with his brother. He’d found out who was involved. This was show problems such as employment, health and education. Regular events are held at Tseung Kwan O Sports Centre late on Friday down time. nights where a safe, open space is provided for break dancing, basketball, badminton and some other sports. Social workers on- “These guys have been picking on Ben. They shouldn’t do that. duty provide counselling services and basic medical check-ups if It makes me angry. They should apologize. Right now.” necessary, as well as conveying an anti-drug abuse message.
Email [email protected] “Let’s cool it a bit Rocky, and get things sorted out nice and easy. Don’t want anyone to get hurt, do we?”
Ben, Rocky and the student at Ben’s school who’d started things, confronted each other, glowering. They jeer and spar. Kathy broke in again.
“If you make a row like that someone will call the police. We’ll all be in trouble. Come on guys. It takes two to make a fight.”
Things are pretty tense for a while. The outreach workers try to cool things. At last everyone backs off. The groups break up.
“Time to go home,” called Ben to Kathy, “and thanks.”
Kathy and Mike sigh, and relax for now. Outreach work is a never- ending task. The more you do, the better you get. You know how youngsters’ minds work, who their families are, who hangs out where. Details matter a lot. So does experience and patience.•
Further reading Lee, Francis Wing-lin, Department of Social Work and Social Administration, University of Hong Kong. Youth Mobile Teams for Young Night Drifters in Hong Kong. Conference de Montpellier, 15-18 July 2002. Newbery, Peter. “Youth Outreach: Crisis Intervention with Marginal Adolescents”, Asian Journal of Counselling 2(2), 1993. Newbery, Peter and Shum, David. “Hong Kong's Alternative Night Life: A History of the All-Night Outreaching Service for Hong Kong Runaways”, Journal of Youth Studies 2(2). July 1999.
All names and some of the circumstances surrounding the people in these stories have been adjusted to protect identities.
December 2010 Youth Hong Kong 11 Identifying needs, targeting problems Youth at risk At the margins
There are vulnerable young people on the margins of every society. This is the story of Harry. He stole a phone, got caught and then felt so bad he made a big effort to get back on track, with the help of the HKFYG Youth Support Scheme.
“I’m Harry and I’m 15 this year. Last year there was a boy in my upset my mum would be. I was so ashamed. My dad was working class who was always picking on me, making fun of my clothes and on a building site and he managed to make just enough to keep us my accent. I really hated him, so one day I stole his mobile. Just for all alive. I realized my idea of getting revenge was so stupid. I didn’t a laugh really. Just to get revenge. Then I thought I could make some know what to do. I knew I’d be labelled as another useless kid and I pocket money by selling the phone and nobody would ever find out. just started to cry.” That’s when my life went wrong.”
Harry took the phone to a local shop but the police were watching it. “If you make a bad mistake, don’t The vendor had been suspected of dealing in stolen goods. hate yourself for it. Tell yourself you can turn things around.” “My mind went blank when that policeman tapped me on the shoulder. My legs froze and I couldn’t move. I just thought how Harry was cautioned under the Police Superintendent’s Discretionary Scheme (PSDS) and came to the HKFYG Youth Support Scheme for aftercare. He was still very upset and confused by the time he met the Federation’s caseworker, but as a result of consistent, caring support he slowly regained self-esteem. He learned how to box with the police and was very good at it. He was good at basketball and running too.
“I was really excited when I found out I was good at sports. I’d never tried very hard before. Another thing that made a big difference to me was realizing that other people needed looking after. Mum for example. Seems like nobody looks out for her most of the time.”
Now Harry always seems to have a smile on his face and shares an extremely close bond with his mother. She always stood by him and now they
12 Youth Hong Kong December 2010 Identifying needs, targeting problems
really enjoy talking to each other. The HKFYG Youth Support Scheme (YSS) is part of HKFYG’s “I think if you make a bad mistake, don’t hate yourself for core services to youth at risk. It began with support from the Lotteries Fund in 1994, became a subvented service by October 1998, and was a it. Tell yourself you can turn things around. Keep telling territory-wide project by December 2001. Now it provides individual and yourself. Just give it a try. Never give up.” group counselling to young people aged 10-18 who have been cautioned under the Police Superintendent’s Discretionary Scheme, in Kwai Tsing, He also started volunteer work with some handicapped kids. Tsuen Wan, Tuen Mun districts and Tung Chung. In 2009/10, YSS handled a total of 655 cases. “They were so hopeless, so helpless. It made me realize Normally, juvenile offenders regret what they do. Their self-esteem hits how lucky I really was, and that I could do a lot for them rock bottom. A criminal record would ruin their lives. If they get a second just by being around. It also helped me back at school chance they can make a remarkable turn-around. Most of the cases because I could write about it for my OLE. Nobody knows dealt with by YSS concern minor offences such as theft, shoplifting, or it all started because I stole that phone.”• common assault. They come to us via the Crisis Assessment Sessions at Divisional Police Stations. The young offenders are given education and career counselling and they take part in programmes that improve their social and interpersonal skills, such as sport and volunteer services which “Keep telling yourself. Just heighten their sense of purpose and civic awareness. give it a try. Never give up.” Web http://www.hkfyg.org.hk/chi/yar/index1a.html
Boxing training organized by the Police’s “Operation Breakthrough” programme for teenagers cautioned under PSDS
Note Other Learning Experiences (OLE), introduced with the new secondary school curriculum and including experiences such as voluntary community work. All names and some of the circumstances surrounding the people in these stories have been adjusted to protect identities.
December 2010 Youth Hong Kong 13 Identifying needs, targeting problems Parent-child mediation Resolving conflicts
“All happy families resemble one another, each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.” Leo Tolstoy
Negotiating the minefield of disagreements between parents and teens is difficult. Adolescence is a time when rules and expectations at home can escalate into fierce arguments. Professional mediators can teach communication skills to solve problems at home or avoid worse conflicts, like the one that blew up in the Chan household. Philippa, a social worker, sets the scene…
Philippa the mediator Mrs Chan to Philippa We didn’t speak to each other for a week Parents tell me about problems with their kids that they can’t after that, not easy when four of you live in less than 500 square feet. solve. If the child agrees we try to have a dialogue. In this case, My husband never gets involved with the kids. All the burden is on me. I already knew that the Chans had been living in Tuen Mun I just can’t understand her. Ah Wah doesn’t make me crazy like her. for almost 20 years and that Ah Mui, now 16, had a younger What kind of future will she have if she doesn’t work hard? brother called Ah Wah. First I ask for both points of view.
Mrs Chan to Philippa Ah Mui has been staying out all night since she was 14, sometimes with boyfriends. I don’t like it but I’m more worried about her homework than anything else.
Once she didn’t come home for two nights. I tried her mobile. She’d never leave that behind, but I could only leave a voicemail. I was at the end of my tether. I called the police and reported her missing.
A couple of hours later she turned up. She completely ignored me and I lost my temper, calling her many things that I feel embarrassed about now.
Ah Mui to Philippa Dad let me in. Ah Wah was in his pyjamas, stuffing himself with snacks at the computer as usual. I just walked past my mother. She just started yelling, calling me a slut and whore. She never asked where I’d been. Basically she doesn’t trust me. And she only really loves Ah Wah.
She’s always nagging. “Get off the phone.” “Change your clothes.” “Eat your food.” It’s never-ending. Ah Wah, a year younger than me, never gets that. She’s always fussing over him. As for my father, he just shuts himself off from all of us.
I’d stayed out plenty of times before so why the worry this time? I think it’s to humiliate me. But I’m 16! I’m not a child! And I’d already finished my homework, which is the only thing she cares about most of the time, apart from Ah Wah.
14 Youth Hong Kong December 2010 Identifying needs, targeting problems
On the first day of term there was loads of publicity including a circular Mrs Chan That’s not the way to do homework! Every time I look about talks by the school social worker. It said she helped parents get you're messing around instead of working hard! Do you think I am on better with their children. I knew things couldn’t go on the way they stupid? You give me no respect and I can see right through you… were so I signed up. Of course I did it without talking to Ah Mui. She would just have said “no”! Philippa Remember the ground rules! No swearing, no insults.
Philippa They calmed down a bit and we continued… In fact Ah Mui agreed but before we started I made sure they knew the basic rules they would have to follow, such as no Ah Mui You never get complaints from school do you. The problems are bad language and no interrupting. Then, I asked them to focus all in your imagination. I don’t know what you want except to cut off the on a specific problem to sort out. Ah Mui wanted her mother internet connection and take my phone. Why can’t you trust me? to trust her and she wanted to be treated the same way as Ah Wah. Mrs Chan wanted Ah Mui to concentrate on schoolwork Mrs Chan How can I trust you when I don’t know what you’re doing? I and take her future more seriously. The next step was to bring don’t know your friends and I don’t understand how you can do homework them together and finally, they both agreed to focus on solving with other people. Homework is homework, just sit down and do it! academic problems. They became very hostile and insulting at that point so I invoked Mrs Chan Ah Mui doesn’t realize how important school is. She the ground rules again and got them to refocus on the academic thinks that it’s a waste of time. I have to push her otherwise she spends issues again. all her time on the computer or the phone. That makes her a bad role model for her young brother. Philippa The world has changed since you were at school Mrs. Chan. Maybe, Ah Mui, you could show your mother what you’re doing online Ah Mui How do you know how long I spend on homework? You and introduce her to your friends. Mrs. Chan, I think Ah Mui can be a think I’m using the computer to chat or waste time, never that I’m using responsible girl. As she said, there have been no complaints about her it to do homework. When I phone my friends we don’t just gossip you homework. If both of you give and take a bit more, talk to each other know, we’re checking our answers too. more, it will help, especially if you don’t think of your mother as an enemy, Ah Mui.
Ah Mui OK I’ll try, as long as she treats me the same as Ah Wah.
Mrs Chan I’ll try too, if Ah Mui gets some homework done at weekends.
Philippa concluded Social workers can’t perform miracles and it’s hard to predict how things will turn out. I think we’ve found a way to lower the household’s emotional temperature by negotiation. They both focused on a mutual goal rather than to think only of themselves and their grievances. Some things are very hard to change and Mrs Chan does appear to be show more affection to her son, not uncommon among more traditionally-minded parents. Now she is aware of it, perhaps it will be easier to treat the two of them equally.•
HKFYG Parent-child Mediation Centre When trust breaks down, motivation to communicate can be re- established through a neutral third party acting as a mediator. A special centre was set up in 2008 to offer such mediation for parent-child conflict. It is near the HKFYG Jockey Club Ping Shek Youth SPOT. Similar services are also offered at five HKFYG Youth SPOTs as part of the Federation’s efforts to develop mutual respect and improve parenting skills.
Web http://pcmc.hkfyg.org.hk
All names and some of the circumstances surrounding the people in these stories have been adjusted to protect identities.
December 2010 Youth Hong Kong 15 Interview HKFYG Council President Involved, connected, committed
Dr Peter Tsoi has been working for youth for over 20 years, both in his professional capacity as a specialist in psychiatry and as a member of HKFYG’s Council. He has now taken on the mantle of President and in the next few pages we explore his breadth of vision for the Federation. Three new members of the Council also tell us why they find working with young people so rewarding.
“I see our task having three parts. The first essential is to identify and understand young people’s needs. Second, we can try to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves, or whose voices are not heard, thus making the community aware of those needs. Third, we can do pioneer work and steer our services to fill the needs.”
Being sensitive to needs “For me, working with youth is exciting and fulfilling because of the development that takes place in the childhood and teenage years. During the growing-up process so many things are not fixed. You can really do something to change the course of a young person’s life and you will be able to see the results for a long time to come.
“It is very important to let people know about all the ways in which they can contribute to our work with youth, regardless of their age and background. Once they find out how helpful they can be, they will certainly do more.
“You can really do something to change the course of a young person’s life and see the results for a long time to come.”
“The strongest influences on a young person are the family and school. At HKFYG we supplement and facilitate, filling in gaps in the learning and growing-up process. We can’t serve all the people in Hong Kong, no matter how big we become, no matter how comprehensive our services. What we can do is try to take the lead.
16 Youth Hong Kong December 2010 Interview
“An important part of our work is to be pioneers, being sensitive to Shaping up for the future the needs of today’s younger generation, trying to keep up to date and “The way we shape our young people for their future will in turn affect create models that we hope others will follow. the shape of our future world. They are the ones who will push forward development. As I result, I foresee the generation gap getting bigger. To The neglected generation bridge that gap, to avoid conflict, sooner or later we need young people “People are all the same, no matter when they were born. The difference to take a bigger hand as policymakers. For that reason, they need to be comes from the changes in their environment and the influence these equipped to take up responsibility in leadership roles. changes have. “We have to consider the problems of an ageing society very “When the territory was preparing itself for the Handover we saw a carefully. Many old people will be depending on young people. Their lot of panic, doubt and argument. I believe that we forgot to let youth responsibilities for the upkeep of seniors will increase and perhaps participate meaningfully then, when everyone else was distracted by become a big burden. trying to cope with the changes taking place around them. “Furthermore, many young people who were born here but grew up “Parents were busy making money for an uncertain future. Politicians, on the mainland will be back in Hong Kong in 10 years’ time. The who might now take youth’s views into consideration, were arguing. Federation will have to anticipate their needs. Local young people will The young people were left out. I think the anger we see in some of the inevitably think of them as outsiders so we have to prepare them too, post-80s generation comes from that neglect. not just to compete, but to be in harmony and to cooperate.
Message for the future “We can’t serve all the people “Helping young people to develop basic human values will be very in Hong Kong, no matter how important, especially in the light of mainland immigration and comprehensive our services. responsibilities for the elderly. Today, when we think so much about What we can do is try to take the material gains, such moral values are lacking. We are trying very hard to lead.” educate, to teach practical skills and book learning, but I don’t think we teach youth enough about fundamental values.
“After the Handover, ideally these young people would have begun “Remember the Chicken Soup series? It was a bestseller because people to develop a sense of identity with their country but instead they face needed to know about the good things people do, not only about increased competition. At present, the mainland still feels far away the bad things. There is an element of this in many of the HKFYG’s because there is a border between us, but we have to accept that in the programmes, but in the community at large not enough people are future we will become like any other city in China. talking about the importance of honesty, integrity, responsibility and plain hard work. These are the values, once absorbed, that will help “Gradually, Hong Kong people will adapt and accept this. The youth in the years to come.”• Federation has been doing a lot of work in this area, trying to help young people learn about their country. Encouraging them to go and see, to have direct contact with their roots and with what is happening on the mainland. This will mean they adapt more easily.
December 2010 Youth Hong Kong 17 Interview HKFYG Council Members
Listening, communicating, facilitating
Ms Clara Shek, Managing Director at Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide, took up the threads spun by Dr Tsoi. She explained why she joined the Federation and offered keen insight on the pivotal role played by parents.
“I decided to help HKFYG because I have two boys aged 5 and 10. I’m that I’ve been on a kids-on-demand mode, interacting with my kids only also concerned about alarming issues such as the upward trend in youth when I wanted them, not when they needed me. I’m as busy as before, drug abuse and suicide. I think the broader community should pull but the way I relate to my kids at home now has changed. If parents together to try to find resolutions. and marginal, problem kids could only go through a programme like that it could change their lives. It would remove barriers. Perhaps this is an opportunity for a sponsored “We need to find the missing Federation pilot project. link between parents and their kids.” “I think of HKFYG as “We at HKFYG not only need to connect with youth, a facilitator that can we need to find the missing link between parents and enable kids to reach their kids. Sometimes kids seem to lack love or feel they their best.” are not being heard or understood. If parents don’t listen, young people will look for other ways to express themselves, and sometimes they will be with illusion Putting the issues on the that drugs or gangs. I believe that many kids actually radar feel lost and have the illusion that drugs give them an “Well-intentioned parents seek ways to escape route. improve their parenting skills, others may need something like a Parents 101 course, something Knowing what you don’t to put the issues firmly on the radar. When kids know are old enough, like my 10 year-old, they already “Work ethics in Hong Kong mean people have an idea about what’s going on in the world. are so busy making a living that they They are starting to be more assertive. Good have little time to listen to their kids. In parent-child communications at this stage can paternalistic, traditional Chinese culture, prevent problems later. parents rarely express their love for the kids. In that kind of environment, how “An example from our home is that we have will a child ever gain confidence? I think no PlayStation or online games. Computer we need to enable parents to be better use is limited. My 10 year-old asks before communicators, for their kids’ sakes. he uses the computer and the maximum is 30 minutes. He understands the rules and “Take me, for example, I thought that is responsible for keeping them. I want as someone from the communications kids to figure out their own form of play, industry, I should be doing a fine job. in the park, in the playground. Giving them Then last year I went to a programme too many things could deny them their own called Landmark Forum and found out creativity. Instead, just give them a blank piece about what I didn’t know. of paper, a pencil, and an entirely empty room. They will create their own amusement. “It was a transformative experience that made me see clearly how fundamentally Facilitating, enabling, lifting important our relationships with “I don’t think HKFYG’s role should be ‘helping’ parents are, and how they shaped my youth. Calling it ‘help’ actually places them in a relationship with my kids. I didn’t realize weak spot which could create resistance. Instead, I
18 Youth Hong Kong December 2010 Interview
think of HKFYG as a facilitator that can enable kids to reach their best. “The goal of HKFYG is to lift up every young person. If that person We can try doing this by being more edgy too, pushing the envelope, is already doing well, it will enable them to become a leader. If they are getting kids to really connect with each other face to face, instead of vulnerable, on the margins of society, it will bring them back on track. sitting at the computer for 5 to 6 hours This process can make it possible for young people to see their own a day. strengths, recognizing early in life their own inner strength and beauty. That’s what we can facilitate.”•
Seeing two sides of cyberspace Dr Hubert Chan also joined HKFYG’s Council this year. He is Chairman of the Communications Association of Hong Kong, HKC International Holdings Ltd, and the father of two teenage boys. He shared his views of youth services from both professional and personal perspectives, reflecting on how cyberspace has become part of reality.
“My reasons for joining the “A parent’s role is Federation are connected to my to make sure the work in the field of information and children are aware communications technology (ICT). of both the good The average youngster spends so and the risky sides much time on the computer nowadays, of cyberspace.” more time even than in front of the TV. Let’s face it, cyberspace is not going “The trouble is that young people away. I want to help both the community can be suffocated by information and families make it a more secure overload, especially when it is combined environment. with pressure to succeed. Although I believe that education helps a great deal, “A parent’s role is to make sure the exposure is also crucial to give them children are aware of both the good and perspective. Every couple of the risky sides of cyberspace, recognizing years, I go to less developed its temptations and traps while making good parts of the world with my use of the huge resources it offers. All of these wife and two sons. Together we have changed our world enormously. see the world as it really is. We join a group of other families Multifaceted roles and have been to several poor “The role of the Federation in cyberspace is areas in China, some of which are multifaceted. One example is the annual event with served by World Vision projects, for HKFYG as part of the World Telecom Information example. Society (WTISD) campaign. This has elements of both internet education and a career forum. In “This is a very good experience today’s world, with so much choice, choosing a for my two sons who are 16 and career is difficult, but education and information 17 years old. They see the effects are still the keys, and cyberspace itself is a way of of the poverty gap, especially on becoming aware of opportunities, in education and the mainland where there is such at work. great diversity. In the face of this
December 2010 Youth Hong Kong 19 Interview HKFYG Council Members inequality, and given the problems caused by poverty in Hong Kong, we Stimulating creativity, building connectivity need to show young people how to discover their individual strengths, “That’s where parents come in. Instead of having over-expectations especially if they come from disadvantaged backgrounds. about academic abilities, parents are in a perfect position to recognize and stimulate their children’s creativity. Family gatherings and trips provide an ideal opportunity for this to happen, although I have to “Building connectivity, within confess that a trip I arranged for my family to the Shanghai Expo nearly the community and across the foundered because the boys said they had already been there… online! generations is one of the best ways to use of cyberspace.” “In the future, I can see the work HKFYG already does in ICT being consolidated and strengthened, with more internet education and internet counselling (see pages 36-37), reaching both the hidden children of the “Children need exposure to a large range of activities and opportunities. cyber world, and the ones deprived of access to that digital world. Then they will find out what they are good at and where their creativity lies. Take my younger son as an example. At school he is not good at “Building connectivity, within the community and across the generations maths. Visuo-spatial memory and strategic thinking are his forte. They is one of the best ways to use of cyberspace: for connections with come out in how he plays chess. He won the Hong Kong Open chess parents, friends and teachers. Given my experience and background championship last year at the age of 15 because he can memorize all the in ICT, I hope I can be of value to the Federation in helping those moves in a game and play chess in his mind. We found this out simply stakeholders see the good it can bring.”• by playing the game together.
Getting involved: a dose of reality
Dr Allen Fung, Managing Partner of McKinsey & Company, talked about establishing his connection with the Federation through a programme for young entrepreneurs. He also echoes the other members of Council, summing up views on parents, communication, exposure and cyberspace.
“My introduction to the Federation’s work was overwhelming, a really like handling spreadsheets for finances. Lack of skills such as these emotional experience for me. I was a judge at the launch of a new undermine underlying raw passion. This is where mentorship is so programme called Youth Business Hong Kong (YBHK, see pages 27- important. 29) which helps young entrepreneurs competing for start-up seed funds. The winners of the competition have mentors to help them build networks, and I was one of them. The dedication and passion of those “The dedication and passion of young people were awesome. To me, they represented the spirit of those young people were awesome. Hong Kong. To me, they represent the spirit of Hong Kong.” “I realized that being a mentor is not only useful to the mentee but also to the mentor. It gives you a dose of reality, especially if you are a senior manager in a big corporation. You see how to drive things with very “Anyone who has been to one of those YBHK competitions will be little. In your own work you have access to a wide range of resources, aware and convinced of this. More mentors with local entrepreneurial but your mentee may have practically nothing. experience of our competitive world themselves, who founded their own businesses, would be so valuable. People like that understand what Alive and kicking it’s like to take risks. “The entrepreneurial spirit is alive and kicking here but we need more proactive measures to promote it. Basic skills have to be nurtured,
20 Youth Hong Kong December 2010 Interview
“Competitiveness can be a good thing but it needs to be balanced have more exposure points. Not just at school but in a variety of with teamwork. Hong Kong youngsters need to be assertive, but they situations, interacting with people from different social strata, in also have to work out their own style. Some might see an influx of different contexts with which they are not entirely familiar, and not competition from the mainland as a threat but I think new talent can entirely comfortable. be a good thing. It will change the dynamics, creating opportunities and exposure for everyone. This will raise our game. “For me, it was the experience of going abroad to study at Brown University. That placed me in a very different environment. It was tough A sense of purpose to begin with and I had to learn how to handle so many new situations. “Take our disadvantaged kids for example. As long as you don’t measure For kids who can’t afford to go abroad, it’s so important to give them them in a single narrow dimension – how well you do in school – you exposure. It will lift them up, show them they are able to succeed, help can give them a sense of purpose. We need to get them to participate in avoid demoralization and build self-confidence. areas like music or sport, areas where they might excel with pride. Get involved “How do we create alternative paths like this? How do we create “That brings me back to mentorship and how the community can work windows through which to grasp those opportunities? I think with HKFYG. Mentorship brings confidence. It helps youth cope with supportive parents are very important. If we create more activities that pressure, and prevents them feeling like failures. That’s why it is so parents approve of, then kids will participate more and more. worthwhile getting involved. Even if you can only spare one afternoon a month. It will make such a big difference, whether you are a mentor or give a hand in the youth centres. Just get involved once. You will “Being a mentor is not only useful want to do it more.”• to the mentee but also to the mentor. It gives you a dose of reality.”
Parents, social skills and the virtual world “One trend I’m very concerned about is the loss of social skills, especially the sort that come with meaningful, direct contact between the generations. Young people live more and more in a virtual world. They lack face-to-face communication. Instead they do social networking online. Many of my friends who are parents are challenged by the new media, yet that’s the social world of the young.
“The Federation can do a lot in this area and once parents have a taste of what’s on offer they will come back for more. Whether you like it or not, the virtual world is here to stay and despite its resident risks parents can use it as a channel for communication.
Challenge, exposure and confidence “Communication is linked to another key factor: exposure to different environments. Kids gain confidence in their own abilities if they
December 2010 Youth Hong Kong 21 Identifying needs, targeting problems Counselling Close to the edge
Many young people feel depressed or sad about sometimes, about confusing events in their lives, rebelling against parental control or overly influenced by friends and classmates, desperate to fit in and plagued by the stress of conflicting emotional needs. These are fleeting problems for many. Some suffer far more.
They include people with bipolar disorder, sometimes called manic depression. It causes serious mood swings, shifts in energy levels and erratic judgment. It means phases of intense creativity and euphoria alternating with depressive phases, a sense of worthlessness, sometimes thoughts about death.
Triggers can be failure at school or work, or losing someone they love. The depression can spiral then out of control. This is the story of May, who has bipolar disorder and now in her early 20s, told by her closest friend, who helped her through a suicide attempt.
I met May when we were 15 and “May called me both members of the school rock and said it was band. I played drums. May was all her fault, that lead singer. I used to envy her she couldn’t looks and her voice. Such a great bear the guilt figure. Such a cool style. Such and pain, that confidence and energy. Or so it she wanted to seemed. die.”
She was always talking about how making it big in pop music She said her father was an as soon as she left school. She alcoholic and a manic depressive, almost seemed to be bragging. But that her older brother was on then one night on our way home drugs and very unpredictable. after there had been an argument She had tried Ecstasy once too with the band’s leader, she burst but it made her feel worse. For a into tears. She told me she hated couple of weeks she was in low herself, that nobody liked her, spirits when she was with me, but that life was hopeless. It was a she made an effort to disguise confusing shock to me to begin her real feelings when we were with, but the fact she told me with others. She sometimes got meant she trusted me. I wanted to irritable or angry with me for no help. May is a very special person. real reason, but I put up with it.
22 Youth Hong Kong December 2010 Identifying needs, targeting problems
“Being focused seems to help. So does success. But May is still bipolar. They say it never goes away.”
Then one day her brother got killed in a motorbike accident. I didn’t know all the details. May called me and said it was all her fault, that she couldn’t bear the guilt and pain, that she wanted to die. I believed her and called her parents and the police. They found her on a ledge outside her bedroom. It took a while but they persuaded her to come back inside and convinced her that she needed a psychiatrist. He diagnosed bipolar disorder, gave her medication and a contact at HKFYG with professional training for when she needed someone to talk to.
That was nearly a year ago. Since then May has become very focused on putting a new indie band together. She's often very excitable but they’ve taken off in a big way. Being focused seems to help. So does the success. But May is still bipolar. They say it never goes away.
Whenever she feels low she still calls me even though we’ve both left school now. She sometimes says really hurtful things. It used to make me think I couldn’t help her, but over time I’ve got used to
it. She doesn’t mean it. I know that deep down. But it sometimes Photo by Eeppeliteloop (Wikimedia Commons) hard to bear and I’m glad there’s a professional to share the load. May - now focused on her new indie band The HKFYG counsellor reminds her of her strengths, like I do, of her special talents and gifts for holding an audience spellbound “Such confidence and energy. Or with a song.• so it seemed…”
The HKFYG counsellor still keeps in touch with May although they’ve never met. MSN works well. It’s fast enough to be spontaneous but gives just enough space to stop and think. Web-based counselling, via MSN and blogs, is a new initiative at the Federation. See pages 36- 37 for information.
All names and some of the circumstances surrounding the people in these stories have been adjusted to protect identities.
December 2010 Youth Hong Kong 23 Identifying needs, targeting problems Primary school counselling
Special needs, special strategies
The Student Guidance Team at HKFYG deals with children who have emotional or psychological problems. It also helps families who have difficulty bringing up primary school-age children. Here, a mother tells how Kelly, a member of the Team, helped her autistic son, Fred.
“I’ve been terribly worried about Fred ever since he was little. When he “She told Fred stories about how to behave properly at school and was diagnosed as an autistic I felt quite unable to cope. That was in his helped him imagine himself in those situations. Sort of role-playing in first year at school. His behaviour seemed to get worse and worse, not his mind. Then the two of them would act out some situations so he only at school but at home too. The teachers couldn’t handle him and I could practice what he needed to do and say. Sometimes she asked him had to get him into another school. I was practically in despair. to play the teacher while she pretended to be the kid – he really enjoyed that! I never thought it would work but I was wrong. “He’s always been clever but sort of inward-looking. He desperately needs security. If anything unusual or unexpected happens he gets “Fred practised step-by-step with Kelly. She put cartoon stickers on the unpredictable. The teachers have told me he sometimes gets up, floor to show him where to queue up. She took photos to remind him pushes his desk over with a crash and runs out into the street, scaring where to go. Those clear instructions and Kelly’s patience reassured him everybody, just because he got an answer wrong. so he learned from her.
“She tried slogans too and that helped a bit. When he got the wrong “Sometimes he’ll throw things at answer in class Kelly told him to recite to himself ‘An answer can be them, or fling himself on the floor if right or wrong. Don’t give up, just try again.’ The message sank in. Bit they aren’t nice to him.” by bit he had fewer and fewer tantrums.
“Of course lots of teachers haven’t met special-needs kids like Fred. “He doesn’t seem to care what the other kids at school think of him. You know, they didn’t seem to understand that he genuinely couldn’t Sometimes he’ll throw things at them, or fling himself on the floor if help himself. Kelly told me I should try not to get emotional when Fred they aren’t nice to him. The last time that happened, the teacher got acts up at home. She also said all the adults in his life need to respond Kelly to come along to help. Kelly is a social worker from the HKFYG consistently so that he gets very clear messages about what’s acceptable Student Guidance Team. I don’t know what I would have done without her. and what isn’t. It’s really important to praise him when he does well, not
Before Kelly Fred Fred's classmates
After Kelly Fred and friends
24 Youth Hong Kong December 2010 Identifying needs, targeting problems
just scold him when he is naughty. I noticed a real difference when I and maths. You can be good in class too!’ They seem more tolerant began to do that. of him, partly because he’s so good at some things they find hard, like maths. He will help them when they get stuck and they appreciate that.
“They seem more tolerant of him, “Fred is eleven now and I can’t help but wonder how it’ll be for him partly because he’s so good at when he’s at secondary school. Kelly told the school social worker at some things they find hard, like the new school about him and his difficulties and we all went to visit maths.” the school. His new teacher seems very kind and welcoming and he met the school social worker too. I still feel quite apprehensive but I’m much better able to face it than I used to be. The Federation is opening a “I’ve learned so much from Kelly. Fred no longer runs out of the class Student Support Centre in Tai Kok Tsui for students with special needs, when he gets upset and his classmates know what he’s like now. When like Fred. I know we’ll be able to go there if we need to. That makes me he gets emotional they say things like, ‘Hey, you’re so good at English feel better. But we’ll miss Kelly.”•
Counselling at HKFYG Counselling offered by the Federation includes Youthline 2777 8899, MSN and hotlines. These have been supplemented recently by the Web Positive Online Outreach Counselling Service which is mentioned in the story about May, pages 22-23, and in the new section Internetscope, pages 36-37. The Student Guidance Team has worked with primary pupils since 2002. For more information about the Student Support Centre and how school social workers offer their support, see Youth Hong Kong September 2010.
Email [email protected]
Turning monsters into kittens
Children who are different always suffer from being on the edge of the crowd. They handle it in different ways depending on the individual. In this second case of guidance by a school social worker, a talented mainland girl called Ching finds self-expression and fulfilment through drawing. The social worker explains.
“I’ve been working as a primary school social worker with HKFYG teachers said she was badly behaved, always quarrelling. She got into a for about 8 years now. That’s how I met Ching. She was living with her nasty fight one day so the teachers sent her to me. father who was over sixty and had heart disease. They didn’t seem very close and Ching said he was often nasty to her, but I never actually met him. Her mother had already left Hong Kong to go back to the “Her fingers were covered in ink mainland. and she really did look a bit of a mess.” “The other kids made fun of Ching. She got her accent from her mainland mum and it sounded so funny to them. You know how children tease. Unfortunately, Ching was also rather big for her age “She was uncommunicative to begin with. I tried to get hold of her compared to local children. Maybe that’s why she seemed so clumsy, father but had no luck so I hinted gently to Ching that we would look always tripping over things. for a way to help her make friends. She looked grumpy and shuffled her feet. Her fingers were covered in ink and she really did look a bit of a “Some kids were really horrid and called her a monster. She was mess. obviously unhappy but seemed bad-tempered on the surface. Her
December 2010 Youth Hong Kong 25 Identifying needs, targeting problems Primary school counselling
“I wasn’t sure I was getting through to her, but one day I noticed her classmates who were astonished. They started to look up to her. None doodling. It turned out that drawing was her favourite pastime. That’s of them had talent like that. where all the ink came from. She liked to draw large, violent-looking, creatures in vivid comic strips. As she got older so she got more and “By the time she left primary school, Ching was much better-tempered. more skilful and I gave her a big sketch book. She had quite a following and the teacher put her comic strips on the walls from time to time. Some were totally fantastic, but always well- “By then she was in P4. When the book was full and I gave her another, crafted and sometimes rather funny. and another, and another. By the time she left the school she had over 20 collections of comic strips, all original, all creative, each with a special creature from her own imagination as the main character. “I wasn’t sure I was getting through to her, but one day I noticed her “Bit by bit, as she gained confidence in me she told me why she loved doodling.” drawing large creatures. ‘Drawing those nasty looking animals makes me feel stronger,’ she said, ‘but I still want my stories to have happy endings. I dream that the stories take place at home.’ “Being accepted by the others had a marked effect on her. She calmed down, rarely got cross, and as she grew taller she grew slimmer. She still “I tried to think of a way into this girl’s imagination and suggested that towers over the others and hasn’t totally lost her accent, but Ching is she might draw smaller animals that looked less scary. That she might clearly going places. Maybe she’ll be a cartoonist or a film animator one create a comic strip with less conflict and fighting. day. The last I heard of her she was saving up for graphics software.”•
“Well, it worked. Gradually Ching’s scrap books had more and more rather domestic-looking animals. She started showing them to her Image by aaipodics (Flickr/Creative Commons)
All names and some of the circumstances surrounding the people in these stories have been adjusted to protect identities.
26 Youth Hong Kong December 2010 Youth entrepreneurship Identifying needs, targeting problems Think sustainable
Alex Tam and Felix Chung, both in their early 30s, run Ecosage, an award-winning recycling company supported by HKFYG’s Youth Business Hong Kong (YBHK). Alex tells how it all started, and where they’ve got to so far. “When we first met in the 1990s we were classic young white-collar workers, giving other people orders and earning regular salaries. We had no idea that soon we would be getting our hands dirty, but we did realize that it was time for a rethink.”
“We handle 300 tonnes of recycling each month”
A business in recycling was Felix’s idea. I must admit I didn’t take to it We put in an application. Just getting our business proposal organized right away. Me? Handling other people’s rubbish? Funnily enough, it helped our ideas gel. We both wanted to do something friendly for the was actually an old newspaper that got us going. Felix was eating dinner environment and the government was already talking about user-pays in a restaurant when he saw an advertisement for YBHK in a newspaper levies for waste collection back then. somebody left behind.
December 2010 Youth Hong Kong 27 Identifying needs, targeting problems Youth entrepreneurship
We had about HK$300,000 in savings but still lacked motivation. Kwai Fong depot. The rag-pickers are outside the welfare net and they Getting YBHK start-up funds of another HK$80,000 gave us the vital need support, even though many won’t admit it. first push. Then our business mentor, an entrepreneur himself, helped us build a network. That made us move faster and faster. I plucked up courage to talk to one of those old ladies after she’d been coming to the depot for months. They can be quite daunting! She But it was tough to begin with. I used to load the rubbish compactor said she couldn’t get CSSA because she had $30,000 in the bank. She’s myself, working alone, late at night at Ngau Tau Kok. It was hard, worked for 30 years and resents the fact that her savings mean she can’t physical labour and I wasn’t used to it. But that was not the hardest get any welfare payments, and I don’t blame her. thing. It was facing change all the time, thinking of how to serve customers and make money from them while giving satisfaction. This was so challenging. “The hardest thing [was] facing change all the time, thinking of You can never relax. There is no spare time, ever, no weekends, no how to serve customers and make girlfriends. But my life is full, full of work! My parents are always telling money from them while giving me I should rest but my dad was a cab driver. He worked 7 days a week satisfaction.” too. My mum says it’s time I got married and had children. But I’m only 32. There’s still time.
It took a year and a half to break even, as we forecast in our business plan. It sounds good, but progress then slowed down as the economy nose-dived in 2008. Nevertheless, in 2009 we opened our second recycling depot in Kwai Fong. You need courage to start up a new business.
“Funnily enough, it was actually an old newspaper that got us going… Felix was eating dinner in a restaurant when he saw an ad for YBHK in a paper somebody left behind.”
Back then we were really idealistic. Our dream was to open recycling shops on every street corner, like 7-11 stores. YBHK advised us to compile a new business plan. In the end we changed our minds and our new idea is to collect electronic waste, like old computers and phones instead of household waste. The world is changing, changing fast. Soon there will be less waste paper but we can see no end in sight for old electronic gadgets.
YBHK put us in touch with McKinsey and they helped us to refine the plan. That’s when we realized we needed more money. We want to set up a plant which will give us much higher bargaining power with a potential investor. That means we need a bank loan, but our financial situation isn’t bad and our success record is pretty good so far. Our turnover is HK$3 million a year and we handle 300 tonnes of recycling each month.
We also run a community outreach programme as part of our business model. It draws in housewives and students, rag-pickers and cardboard collectors. We have a social worker from St. James Settlement at the
Alex at the YBI awards ceremony in Mexico City in September 2010
28 Youth Hong Kong December 2010 Identifying needs, targeting problems
Then I asked an old man of about 70 if he was happy. He said he was incentive. Some housewives feel embarrassed when they first come. We still healthy and had a roof over his head so he could earn money by have to tell them it’s good for the world. Now some of them bring their bringing in empty cans through his own efforts. It meant he didn’t need children too. It’s a start. to ask for government handouts or beg. So yes, he was happy. Can you imagine that? Our ultimate goal is to have Ecosage listed on the stock exchange. In the meantime, we achieved one goal already. That was winning the YBI Young Hong Kong people have been told for ten years now that Award for the Environmental Entrepreneur of the Year. It really was a wastefulness is bad and recycling is good. Does it make any difference? dream come true, just to get that recognition. No. They are lazy. There are no laws that say they must, and there are no financial incentives. So, being Chinese they think it’s unnecessary. They are full of excuses: no time, no room to keep all that rubbish, no “If people really got into the energy to take it to a collection centre. habit of recycling it would be like brushing your teeth. If you don’t do Actually the most environmentally friendly generation is not young it you feel bad.” but old. The ones who know what it’s like to do without. Everything is precious to them. The middle-aged are affluent now and young people are used to plenty of everything. If you could present them with a profit-making scheme, perhaps it might be The advice I would give to any idealistic young different! entrepreneur is to be well-prepared. Then, when you think you are ready, just go ahead, never wait. Use 15 0% effort to reach your goal.• “Back then we were really idealistic. Our dream was to open recycling shops on every street corner…” Youth Business Hong Kong (YBHK) Since 2005, HKFYG’s Youth Business Hong Kong (YBHK) has I think a user-pays system will work in Hong supported 93 young entrepreneurs. It provides mentors who Kong. In Taiwan and Japan it’s already motivate and help build networks. First comes the planning happening. In Japan it’s part of the culture. stage, essential for sound decision-making. Next is the In Taiwan it’s a government initiative and is acquisition of skills and contacts to put the plan into action. Third, considered big business. Public participation entrepreneurs learn marketing skills and build on the drive and there is very high. Here we make double the enthusiasm to see their plan through to fruition. rubbish we made 20 years ago. Hong Kong comes top for creating rubbish. Over HK$5.2m in seed funding has been allocated by YBHK and over two-thirds of the start-ups have been successful. Adequate funding and the support of mentors are crucial, but “Actually the most coping with setbacks and failure are often equally important environmentally to maintain momentum. Fundamentally, entrepreneurship friendly generation is requires imagination, perseverance and courage. YBHK not young but old. The provides the back-up. ones who know what it’s like to do without.” For more details, contact Miranda Wong at YBHK, tel 3113 7999 or visit http://ybhk.hkfyg.org.hk.
If people really got into the habit of recycling it would be like brushing your teeth. If you don’t do it you feel bad. Some people are already like that, but not many. So when Note kids bring old newspapers we give them The YBI Award for the Environmental Entrepreneur of the Year was given by the Prince's Youth Business International. Ecosage was the winner HK$1 for 1kg. It’s pocket money and an among all contestants from 36 countries in the YBI network.
December 2010 Youth Hong Kong 29 Identifying needs, targeting problems Youth SPOT project
Saving up for future needs
“They always say that time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourselves.” Andy Warhol
Background The lives of 120 teenagers in the New Territories West are changing as a result of the HKFYG’s Prudential Assurance Co Ltd Fly High with Us Young Savers Scheme. They benefit from matching savings and corporate volunteers act as their mentors, teaching life skills including financial literacy. One of the teenagers explained how she had changed as a result of taking part.
Win-win situation “I heard about it during assembly and told my Mum. She thought it was a great idea. She’s always saying it’s good to save but I don’t get pocket money so I need to work out ways to help myself. With this scheme Mum and Dad put aside $200 each month for me from the household budget because of the incentives.
“For every $200 I save, the Prudential puts the same amount in my bank account. When I have been saving for two years, the government will add $3,000 to the total. By next year I will have $12,600 in my account. That’s win-win! But the point is not just to save money. It’s to get us thinking about the future, about making plans, and about making changes for the better.
Growing pragmatism and independence “I’m 16 now and this savings scheme has taught me to think about how to spend what I save as well as learn a bit about independence. Saving to afford piano lessons I’ll probably have to save to pay for my university fees and I’m learning how to make “I started to play the piano when I was 7 a qualified teacher. Then think how much I that feasible, but I would also love to have when both my mum and my dad were working could earn. Actually, it seems that not having more piano lessons. They cost about $300 an and I had hoped to be at diploma level in a enough money is the greatest obstacle to hour and that’s far too expensive. year or two. If I had managed that, I could be realizing your dreams.
30 Youth Hong Kong December 2010 Identifying needs, targeting problems
Reciprocity and good manners “My mentor on the scheme teaches me good money habits and lots of other things too. She’s a manager at the insurance company and we’re in touch on Facebook and on the phone. She talks about what’s going on at HKFYG, and how I might use my savings eventually.
“The point is not just to save money. It’s to get us thinking about the future, about making plans, and about making changes for the better.”
“She also taught me how to relax with new people and introduced me to table manners. Manners are often a matter personal image as well as politeness. I was once very late for a meeting with her because I’d been at a class that went on much too long. I didn’t call her to say I’d be late and she was quite upset with me.
“She said I should treat others as I would have them treat me and she showed me by example. She set up a Facebook account just to chat with me and now we have something else in common. That also made me realize that when I meet people I just need to find a subject we’re both interested in and that will make it easier to get to know each other.
Distinguishing wants from needs “I once asked her about the gap between the rich and the poor and she said it was a matter of attitude. Nobody likes rich people who show off, but some of the rich do help the poor. There’s no point
being pessimistic about how much money you have or haven’t got. Photo by alancleaver_2000 (Flickr/Creative Commons) The poverty gap might even give some people motivation to improve their own lives. If you already have everything it can make you lazy and Supported saving wasteful. The Prudential Assurance Co Ltd Fly High with Us Scheme is partnered by HKFYG and the government’s Child Development Fund. The fundamental concept is planning for life and for “The poverty gap might even give careers, with young people saving to prepare for their future. some people motivation to improve They learn to understand themselves better, think positively and set goals and objectives. They also devise a practical personal their own lives. If you already have development plan. When the period of supported savings ends, everything it can make you lazy participants may use the funds to develop skills in sports or the and wasteful.” arts, to take part in vocational training, exchange programmes or leadership training. Supportive parents and mentors play an integral role. “This scheme has given me motivation of many kinds, not just to save but to change my attitude. I know there are many people in Hong Kong The scheme is a 3-year project run in collaboration with who are poorer than me, like those who live in cages, and I really don’t HKFYG Youth Spots in Kin Sang, Tsuen Wan, Tsuen King and know how to help them. Still, I don’t envy the big spenders and I don’t Kwai Fong. Apart from savings and one-to-one mentorship, hanker after special ice cream or designer labels. A gap between rich and the scheme offers workshops in time management, personal poor is inevitable. I’m content to try to make it smaller. At least I now finance, career and study planning, with both games and know the difference between wants and needs.”• discussion groups. Voluntary work with the elderly, photography, and team-building are other activities.
Visit http://www.hkfyg.org.hk
December 2010 Youth Hong Kong 31 Identifying needs, targeting problems Addictive behaviour Escape from reality
Keung is a rather defiant-looking 17 year-old. He always used to shine at school, quite the teacher’s pet. He used to feel in control, of his life and of his destiny, but all of a sudden he wasn’t all popular any more. Maybe he was too clever. His parents and teachers praised him, but nobody in class seemed to like him. He felt pulled in two directions and wanted to escape. Eventually, a Federation counseller understood him.
Keung retreated. Isolated by former friends, withdrawn from his family. especially when his dad cut his computer’s internet connection. What At night he wasn’t interested in homework. Instead, he played online did Keung do? He went out to a mong ba (internet café) and stayed out games, for hour after hour, refusing to eat anything other than snacks. all night. Somewhere neither his teacher nor his parents could judge He often played on well past midnight after his parents had gone to him. bed. Then he felt in control again. That was just the beginning. Sometimes, several days could go by when What had happened? He had found an alternative world. A virtual he wasn’t seen at home at all. His family only knew he’d been back world, where he won all the battles and all the girls. He was in control. because food disappeared from the fridge. He’d just call to say he was He could escape there whenever he liked. OK and happy playing online games. His father and sister tried to stop him. “That’s when I started skipping at classes. I couldn’t stop playing if I wanted to keep winning, could I?” His mother was afraid of making things worse but when his dad tried physical force, that made Keung really mad. He lost his temper and flew Keung was hooked. His teacher realized something was going badly at him, then at his sister, hurting her so badly they called the police. wrong and kept him in the classroom after school to do his homework. That was last year. He was cautioned and taken into the care of the His parents were contacted. All this just provoked the rebel in him Police Superintendent’s Discretionary Scheme. Photos by blossomsK, Ramon Snellink, juanpol (Flickr/Creative Commons)
32 Youth Hong Kong December 2010 Identifying needs, targeting problems
Keung was referred to the HKFYG Now, he no longer skips classes or stays NetWise Support Centre for Families out at internet cafés till midnight. He feels and then to the Youth Wellness Centre. much more in control of his own life, but A young counsellor called Anna talked he also understands himself better. The to him. By this time he was repeating S3 crucial person was Anna. Unlike him, she because he’d done so badly at school. was content in the real world, but she also saw what tempted him back, again and Anna didn’t try to stop him using the again, to escape to that virtual world of computer as his family had. Instead she online games which felt so real. chatted about online games. She played them too and knew what fun they were. In that other world he held all the trump But why they were so important to Keung? cards and chose all the moves. He was in Was it an escape from pressure: parents, control, not subject to seemingly arbitrary, peers, teachers? adult decisions. Now he still recognizes the temptations that took him online all “OK, so the graphics are cool, the time but his mindset has changed. He but what else do you get out of sees that even in the real world nobody has playing online?” asked Anna. “Does it make you feel total control and that it’s up to him the take charge of his own, real, life proud when you beat someone in World of Warcraft? again.• Didn’t it feel the same when you beat all the others in your class?” “I got into S4 this year. In fact I was in the top three for maths. My folks are so pleased. That helped me Bit by bit, Anna helped Keung set up real-life goals. The first step was realize I can let online games go and live in the real to do well enough academically to move up to S4. Anna helped him world again. Still, I recognize there’s often a very thin create a revision timetable and Keung kept to it, cutting his time online line for me between reality and online virtuality.” after school from 4 to 2 hours a day. He got less scolding from his parents and better results. Gradually he won back the respect of his teachers and the friendship of his classmates. Approval of his parents followed.
Findings of a 2006 study conducted by The Chinese University of Hong Kong showed that an estimated 230,000 young internet users were at risk of addiction disorders. In research conducted by HKFYG in 2007, 3,586 P.5 to F.3 students were interviewed. 5.4% of them were problem internet users and 15.7% were at risk of becoming compulsive users.
In August 2009, ReSTART, a residential treatment center for people with "pathological computer use", sometimes known as Internet addictive Disorder (IAD) opened near Seattle in the US. Families in China have turned to unlicensed training camps that claim to wean teenage children off the internet. Last year, the mainland government banned physical punishment to stop teens from overusing the internet. Electro- shock therapy had already been banned. See Youth Hong Kong June 2009 for more information.
December 2010 Youth Hong Kong 33 Identifying needs, targeting problems Addictive behaviour
The NetWise Support Centre for HKFYG Youth Wellness Centre Families The HKFYG Youth Wellness Centre, a 3-year pilot project in Tuen Mun, is a This Centre was set up with support from collaborative initiative with the Hospital Authority (New Territories West Cluster) and government in 2009. It provides a one-stop service will probably start offering services by mid-to-end of November 2010. It is run by a to familie. It helps those worried about safety online multi-disciplinary team including a psychiatrist, a clinical psychologist, social workers or concerned about possible addiction, online and a psychiatric nurse, offering one-stop clinical assessment and treatment to friendships with strangers, cyber-bullying, online young people aged 10-30 who suffer from symptoms associated with drug addition, pornography or copyright piracy. Trained Internet problematic gambling, alcoholism, smoking and internet addiction. It advocates the Ambassadors help promulgate the message about concept of wellness and healthy living through educational programmes organized in staying safe online and the Be NetWise Parents schools and communities. A gambling treatment centre was run by HKFYG in Tuen Handbook provides guidelines for use at home. Mun from 2007-2009 with support from the Ping Wo Fund.
Web http://benetwise.hk Email [email protected]
Future at stake
Most people never get rich or powerful but society rewards those who do, and wanting a lot of money is considered perfectly normal. That’s where the appeal of gambling lies. For some gamblers, it’s a land of make- believe too. The HKFYG Youth Wellness Centre will help bring the real world back into focus. Photos by Lisa Kong (About.com: Addictions), Photos by Lisa Kong (About.com: Cup good news (Flickr/Creative Commons) Shine 2010 - World Problematic gamblers served by HKFYG Youth Wellness Centre
34 Youth Hong Kong December 2010 Identifying needs, targeting problems
Wesley, a 26-year-old engineering graduate, spends time with friends So instead, Roland gave advice about handling finances more wisely these days when he’s not teaching. It wasn’t always like that. He has and with his encouragement, Wesley got his first full-time job at a been dealing with a gambling problem ever since he went to university. tuition school. At least the salary meant he could start paying off his debts. All seemed to be going well for a while, but then Wesley got stressed out at work and started gambling again. He was lucky “I live with Dad and my little sister, but for years, and won $10,000. But success went to his head and yet again the rather than chat with them I watched football on TV. situation got out of control. Then I found out about online betting.” “Sometimes when the stress at work just gets too To begin with, his online soccer winnings more than covered his bets. much for me. I start gambling again, but keep on But he gradually increased his bets, believing more and more that he losing. Ultimately, when I’m at my most desperate, I could guess the results accurately, feeling proud of his wins and the think I might lose myself.” admiration they brought him.
By the time he left university he was doing little else apart from Wesley now recognizes that gambling can destroy his life and he gambling. His anxiety mounted as soon as he tried to stop. Then he is back at work again. He has made some good friends in the past started to lose, first a little, then a lot. Always believing that with one twelve months. Some of them have had a gambling problem too. more bet he could win it all back again. They reinforce each others’ efforts to stop betting. Roland keeps in touch with him and still believes there is a way to get him out of the cycle of win-lose. At least he now understands that when he loses, “I thought I had mastered a real skill. It made me gambling again is not the only answer, that others can understand feel so good for a while. In fact it was just a game of what it’s like and can help him see that every time he places a bet he chance and I was addicted to it.” is also putting his future at stake.•
He borrowed $60,000 from a loan shark and was unable to repay. Problematic gambling Problem youth gambling in Hong Kong starts as early as 12 He started getting threatening phone calls and noticed that he was years old, with an average bet of HK$6271 according to a developing odd habits, like constantly wanting to wash his hands. He survey at Chinese University completed this year. The habit had terrible headaches and was always forgetting things. That’s can become as addictive as alcohol or drugs when gamblers when he realized things were out of control. start to lose touch with reality. Betting on card games is the most popular form among Hong Kong youth but online He called HKFYG for help. His counsellor, Roland, recognized the gambling has added to the problems. Illegal online soccer symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder associated with gambling betting in Hong Kong is estimated to be worth HK$60 billion. addiction. He gradually convinced Wesley that believing gambling was a way to riches was believing a myth. He also tried to persuade him to A 2008 report from the Home Affairs Department stated that see a doctor but without success. Wesley was convinced that a medical almost 70% of the Hong Kong population indulge in gambling record would spoil his chances of getting a decent job for ever. of some kind.2 A survey conducted by the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and the Prevention and Rehabilitation of Pathological Gambling Association interviewed 900 secondary school students in 2006 and found that the Further reading problem of pathological gamblers is at its most serious in University of Hong Kong Social Sciences Research Centre. Tuen Mun, home to the HKFYG Youth Wellness Centre. Report on a study of Hong Kong People’s Participation in gambling activities. Home Affairs Bureau, HKSAR Visit http://www.hkfyg.org.hk Government, 2005. http://www.hab.gov.hk/file_manager/en/ Sources documents/whats_new/gambling/KeyStat_200514_e.pdf 1 South China Morning Post (29 June 2010). 2 South China Morning Post (3 March, 21 March 2010).
All names and some of the circumstances surrounding the people in these stories have been adjusted to protect identities.
December 2010 Youth Hong Kong 35 Feature Internetscope
This new feature section is for opinions and news about the online world of the internet, where young people feel is so at home. All contributions are welcome. Reaching out in cyberspace
The internet has become the major source of information and or service, enables young people to retain some sense of control over communication for young people. It provides a strong social and their lives. It involves their proficiency on the internet. It harnesses their cultural environment, and a forum for active participation. It lets them special ability to articulate feelings in writing, and it enables outreach contribute and share opinions, thoughts and feelings, quickly, easily and social workers, educators and others to contact young people who might they do so much more readily than they if they are required to do so otherwise be inaccessible, via blogs and MSN, as well as other forms face-to-face. of messaging. They can make contact in real time, with immediacy and privacy because each is in their own familiar environment. Furthermore, The Federation’s Web Positive outreach online counselling service because this form of internet support service has potential 24-hour has evolved in response.1 The service involves searching the internet access, the positive impact is immeasurable. for youngsters who keep blogs about personal problems of serious concern. These problems may involve stress or depression. Counsellors use key words to find them and, when they identify young people who seem to be in need of help, they make contact. If a relationship based on trust develops they follow up the initial contact via messaging, emails or hotline services, as appropriate.
“…potential 24-hour access, the positive impact is immeasurable.”
Outreach in reach In North America, Australia and some parts of Europe, the provision of online youth services, including counselling, is already gaining ground. It has been observed that adolescents, especially those who are troubled, depressed or suicidal, often isolate themselves, preferring to spend a lot of time on their computers, chatting or emailing friends and even empathetic strangers – unsurprisingly in this age of self expression and catharsis. Secrets and troubles are shared, confessions made and sometimes self-harm or suicide pacts agreed upon.2 In fact, there are easily accessible, specific suicide sites and forums.3,4 The internet, for these young people who feel trapped or isolated, is sometimes very literally their only lifeline.
Opening up this medium as a vector for counselling, for reaching out to youth-at-risk who are otherwise hidden from view, was mentioned in the Hong Kong Chief Executive’s 2010 Policy Address. The advantages are enormous. Most obviously, this type of internet counselling, assistance Online counsellors use keywords to search for troubled youngsters
36 Youth Hong Kong December 2010 Feature
Training for professionalism Quiet investment, rich returns An important factor when considering online outreach services is This is an exciting endeavour, but one which needs the commitment the professionalism of online counsellors. The reason why this is of the Government. It is necessary for Government to partner so important is that it requires skill-sets and competencies that are organizations like the Federation that are slowly developing their different from the more traditional forms of face-to-face guidance and own online service provisions on the internet. It is also necessary for counselling. First, the professional must be quick-witted enough to government not to diminish the real importance of such an initiative recognize the difference between a genuine case and a prankster. by loud, inappropriate or flashy public relations exercises. Rather, what is needed is quiet investment in education and training of Second, she or he needs to be familiar with the typical cyber-vernacular highly specialized personnel who can maximize the potential of web used by youth today, with its acronyms, short-hand and emoticons. counselling. These could very well be qualified social workers, but they Proficiency in these will allow a counsellor to develop a genuine rapport could also include educators, youth workers and perhaps even volunteer quickly. It will mean that both the counsellor and the counselled will be counsellors. speaking the same special “language”, the language that youth use to communicate with one another on the internet. Reaching out to “hidden” youth, those who don’t normally seek out help, identifying youth-at-risk via their own self-expression, online, is Third, the professional needs the skill of “reading” between the lines really a viable, attainable and potentially revolutionary form of service of responses, especially when using chat software. They need to be able and intervention. It should be given the highest priority and governed to discern hesitation, regret, inarticulateness and nuance, to know when by the highest standards of quality control and commitment. Only by to start or stop typing, giving the young person on the other end of the making such an investment will tomorrow’s young people be able to line the dominant role in the conversation. begin looking forward today towards the caring, connected society of the future.• Finally, no matter how confident a young person might seem, protected by the anonymity of the cyber world, the professional needs to remain consistently cognisant and sensitive to the fact that a vulnerable young “…it requires skill sets that person is in need and they are reaching out for reassurance and help. are different from face-to-face guidance and counselling…”
Note and sources 1 HKFYG Web Positive social workers use search engines to seek blogs by using keywords such as “unhappy”, “feeling sad”, “depressed” and “suicide”. Then, they broawse recent articles on the blogs retrieved in the searches to assess whether the bloggers are emotionally disturbed. If so, they try to leave caring messages in order to encourage them to talk about their problems. They do not disclose their identity to begin with in case this acts as a disincentive to further communication. Once a trusting relationship has been formed, the social workers reveal their identity and may follow up by MSN or hotline. From June 2009 to August 2010, HKFYG Web Positive professional staff visited 14,239 blogs, followed up 8,460 of those blogs and engaged 982 bloggers successfully in online conversation. 2 Fox, G. “Lonely hearts end life in suicide pact”, The Telegraph, 24 September 2010. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/8021337/Lonely-hearts-end-life-in- suicide-pact.html (accessed 29 October 2010). Story about the dark side of the internet and two women who made a cyber-suicide pact; highlights the reality and frequency of such pacts. 3 “Suicide pacts and the Internet”, British Medical Journal 329:1298, 2 December 2004. http://www.bmj.com/content/329/7478/1298.full (accessed 29 October 2010) 4 Harding, A. “Japan’s Internet ‘suicide clubs’, BBC, 7 December 2004. http:// news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/newsnight/4071805.stm (accessed 29 October 2010)
This article by Rosanna Wong appeared in modified form in South China Morning Post on 8 November 2010.
December 2010 Youth Hong Kong 37 Feature City space Sporting chance
The link between exercise and weight control is indisputable. Given the growing problem of overweight children in Hong Kong, it is salutary to compare the views of two Hong Kong parents on the pros and cons of physical education in the timetable. What do you think?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the US,1 one of the most effective ways to combat obesity in children is to encourage schools to implement a high quality programme of physical education (PE) in conjunction with healthy eating plans and general good health education. This view was also expressed at the International Conference on Childhood Obesity: Evidence and Practice from Exercise Science, held in Hong Kong in November 2008.2 Would parents like more PE for their children at school? The two in the following dialogue disagree.
On the start line
completely unnecessary. It takes away valuable learning time. A recent report3 on obesity among Hong Kong children states that the problem rose from 16.7% in the 1996-1997 school “We place very high expectations on the children. We want them to year, to 22.2% per cent in 2008-2009. Obesity in children and excel in their studies and outside the classroom, at music or art for young people is not unique to Hong Kong. In fact, the most example. That they snack in between is only natural if they are tired and visible face in the fight against childhood obesity is probably hungry. I honestly believe that as they grow older, they’ll become more 4 that of the First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama. conscious of their looks and take steps to lose weight if necessary. When she launched the initiative to combat the problem, she called obesity “an epidemic and one of the greatest threats to “I’m also against PE in the curriculum because I believe it can America’s health and economy.” Replace “America” with any categorize children negatively. Not all children are sporty and some city or country and the statement stays on target. find it hard to run around, let alone understand the rules of games and sports. If children who have no aptitude for sport are forced into it Mrs Lim, mother of two boys, aged 9 and 11 during the school day, they may be ridiculed or even bullied. “I understand the problem of childhood obesity and the need for children to be physically active. But isn’t that the parents’ responsibility “If parents want children to do sport it should be outside school hours. rather than the school’s? It’s up to parents to ensure their children eat a There are so many after school activities that involve some sport or the healthy, well balanced diet, get enough sleep and exercise. other. I just see no need to have a PE hour during the school day just for the glory of one or two children at the expense of the others. “Children go to school to learn, to study and to acquire the knowledge and skills that will make them competitive. They do not go to school “Physical education in school is really a waste of time!” to run around the playground! I think the idea of PE in schools is
38 Youth Hong Kong December 2010 Feature
Mrs Wong, mother of two teenagers, a boy and a girl person’s routine daily life from an early age. As adults we are all aware “I am so happy to see that PE is part of the curriculum at my of the health issues and the ill-effects of a sedentary lifestyle. So why children’s school. I believe very strongly that youngsters should have wouldn’t we want our children to learn about this now, rather than later? the opportunity within their school week to be physically active. I understand that not all are good at sports, but that’s not the point. The “Maybe I’m unusual, but I honestly believe that if young folk get used point is to get moving and get the blood pumping. to some kind of PE on a regular basis, then their mood improves, their health is better and their brains work better! “We live in a city where there is neither much space for physical activity, nor is there a culture that appreciates children being active. This is “I am all for PE in schools. I worry about obesity and believe that desperately unhealthy. Young people should not be expected to sit all exercise is a lifestyle choice for the better. It benefits youth as they grow day in the classroom and then either plonk themselves in front of the into young adulthood and can do nothing but good.”• TV or the computer or have to attend tuition classes without having any form of physical exercise whatsoever. We would like to keep this discussion going. What’s your point of view? Please write to [email protected] and let “I’ve heard some parents at my children’s school argue that those who us know. are interested in sports should do them as an extra-curricular activity. That makes me mad. We are not talking about sport or physical exercise as an extra, but something that must be incorporated into the young
Enough support for sport?
Best foot forward: HKFYG 50th Anniversary Walkathon On Sunday 28 November, thousands of people joined in the HKFYG 50th Anniversary Charity Walkathon. The kick-off, with the Chief Secretary for Administration, The Hon Henry Tang, Sources GBM, GBS, JP as Guest of Honour, took place at Hong Kong 1 Centre for Disease Control, “ Make a difference at your school” at http://www. Science Park Amphitheatre in Shatin. From there, along the Tolo cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/keystrategies/index.htm (accessed 29 October 2010) 2 Harbour Cycle Track, families and friends made their way to Taipo See website to the conference: http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/spe/obesity2008/ album.html (accessed 29 October 2010) Waterfront Park. Proceeds are going to the Youth Support Fund to 3 Editorial, South China Morning Post, “Schools hold the key to winning war on help young people with special needs. obesity”, 25 October 2010 . 4 See, “Michelle Obama to launch initiative fighting child obesity” in USA Today, Web http://walkathon.hkfyg.org.hk 20 January 2010, on http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/weightloss/2010- 01-20-michelle-obama-obesity_N.htm (accessed 29 October 2010)
December 2010 Youth Hong Kong 39 Arts & culture
Dancing comes in many shapes and forms at HKFYG. Programmes took off with the Hong Kong Youth Dance troupe, as part of the work of the Leisure, Cultural & Sports Services unit. In this roundup of news and views from Hong Kong’s world of young, talented dancers, we hear about their motivation to dance, what dance gives them, and what they give to others through their dancing.
Why I dance by Sugar Chan, member of Hong Kong Youth Dance
I have been dancing since I was in secondary school. I started because most of my friends danced. Now, I can’t imagine life without dancing. For me the experience is almost spiritual, but it also helps me feel connected with the world.
The first dancing group I ever belonged to was the HKFYG’s Hong Kong Youth Dance troupe. It was set up in 2008 and provides its members with regular training in dance techniques. It also gives us a platform on which to perform Hip Hop, Jazz Funk and Modern Dance.
I have been one of the troupe for three years and it has been a truly unique experience. I didn’t just learn dance steps and techniques, I made friends and became myself. For this, I have to give credit to my teachers, Andy Wong, Frankie Lui and Larry Cheng. I learnt so much from them, both in dancing or in self-awareness.
“Feeling young at heart and having fire in my body gives me the biggest drive to teach youth people to dance. I keep reminding myself to reassure them. Always to tell them how good they are, to reinforce all their efforts rather than [only] performances.” Frankie Lui
40 Youth Hong Kong December 2010 Arts & culture
My dance teachers have been my life teachers. Not only did they teach me how to perform on stage they also kept asking me, “What Youth Dance with HKFYG are you doing there? Who are you? “Why do you perform? Is it just The Hong Kong Youth Dance (HKYD) troupe, formed in 2008, is at the core of youth dancing at the Federation. Another example is for yourself or are you trying to attract attention?” Project Dancing which runs at the Jockey Club Farm Road Youth SPOT. Those questions meant a lot to me as I was growing up and I have asked myself the same questions many times. As a teenager, they A group of about 30 young dancers formed HKYD about three years ago. They have been perfecting techniques of Modern were transformative and helped me realize how I really felt about Dance, Hip Hop and Jazz under the tutelage of choreographer, performing. I understand now that I don’t dance just to please the Andy Wong, as Sugar Chan relates. He is now forming two new audience. I also dance for myself. I dance because I am. • groups from the original HKYD and both will start performing in 2011. HKYD will grow considerably as a result. The two groups of dancers will perform by invitation or to entertain underprivileged and handicapped people in the community.
The bigger group is known as Dancing Angels. It was first formed by Andy in 2005 and will have a complement of 70 dancers aged between 17 and 40 by January 2011. Members from various professions are invited to join and they perform mainly Modern Dance.
The second group are the HKYD Ambassadors Recruitment of budding dancers aged 14-25 is taking place now. Their focus will be Hip Hop and Jazz.
Contact Michelle Ho, tel 2395 5753 Web http://hkyd.hkfyg.org.hk
December 2010 Youth Hong Kong 41 Arts & culture
Project Dancing: an integral programme for youth The aim of this project at HKFYG’s Jockey Club Farm Road Youth SPOT is to cultivate youth development by integrating professional dance training with life-planning, career development, volunteer services, competition and performance. Project Dancing was established in 2008 and has grown from a small group with 10 members to four groups with a total of over 40 members. The dancers perform at schools and functions open to the public. They say...
“Dancing helps me build up my self-confidence. It gives me lost of energy. All my worries go away. It’s so relaxing. I love dancing. I love the stage. I can dance anywhere, anytime. If you haven’t danced, you haven’t lived! Trust me, try it!” Lillian
“I really feel dancing has a magic power. When I’m troubled dancing can make me forget my problems. If I see myself in Joint School Dance Competition the mirror when I dance, I think I see the real me.” Po-lam The Joint School Dance Competition has been run by the Federation with sponsorship from You.C1000 “When I was young, I was always desperate to learn to for the last three years. It takes place in the summer dance. I am often sick and it makes me feel stronger. I’m so and in 2010, 77 secondary school dance teams happy to have the chance to dance.” Maisy took part. Instructors from some of Hong Kong’s famous dancing schools served as judges. Contact Terrence Zee, tel 2715 0424 Web http://dance.hkfyg.org.hk
42 Youth Hong Kong December 2010 Arts & culture
Dance for your life Flash Dance Dance is also a feature of outreach work at HKFYG. Window, a former drug A big HKFYG dance project involved 100 abuser, teaches teenagers break dancing for an HKFYG outreach project designed young volunteer dancers recruited as Flash to help young offenders to reintegrate. It is called Project Shine. Window says Dance Ambassadors. Called the Flash break dancing for him is like life itself, the best form of self-expression. Dance Project, it was co-organized by the Federation at the invitation of the Hong “We now have a sports centre for break dancing. Before it was Kong Arts Development Council and was built, we danced in the open. I understand what these teens think a highlight of the 2010 Hong Kong Dance since I have been through it all myself. Break dance lets them Festival. They were given free training by express their true selves.” Window a team of choreographers in Hip Hop, Jazz Funk and Modern Dance. They performed For more on Project Shine, see the story of Wing on page 8. in eight different venues throughout Hong Kong, from August to November, culminating in the opening performance at the launch of Operation Santa Claus on the G/F piazza of the HSBC headquarters in Queen’s Road Central. The shows were televised by TVB and RTHK.
Web http://csu.hkfyg.org.hk/chi/flash.html
December 2010 Youth Hong Kong 43 Travel
Welcoming the New Year with lights: Diwali by Anaita Tejpal
Diwali means “Festival of Lights” and it celebrates the triumph of good over evil. Although it is an Indian festival, its spirit is embraced across the world. In Hong Kong, a culturally diverse place with people from all sorts of backgrounds, Diwali is celebrated by people of varying nationalities, with Diwali parties in numerous restaurants and Bollywood songs in many homes.
Diwali traditionally marks the return of Lord Rama, and goddesses Sita and Lakshmi, to the kingdom of Ayodhya which was illuminated in celebration. Today, homes are lit with small clay lamps, new clothes are bought and sweets are distributed to neighbours. Diwali is a time of sharing gifts, spreading happiness, and bringing smiles to faces.
Celebration, a time of joy, happiness and enjoyment Everyone looks forward to Diwali, or Deepavali. It is the Hindu New Year when people get together to celebrate culture and heritage. Students across Hong Kong embrace diversity by getting involved in cultural activities. One example is the annual Diwali Ball at West Island School.
The Diwali Ball is an entirely student-led event which involved more than 150 performers this year. They danced Bollywood numbers for an audience of 350 people, taking pride in being a part of the show and showcasing both talent and culture. It was a night when families came together, both to socialize and celebrate the achievements of their daughters and sons. Students of all age groups, nationalities and backgrounds gave up their time to rehearse for months in order to make the show both successful and memorable. Photos by Mystic Musings, San Sharma (Flickr/Creative Commons) (Flickr/Creative Sharma San Musings, Mystic by Photos Raising awareness of Indian culture and traditions Each year a concept is chosen and this year it was the Indian version year until I was 9, I find myself missing the delicious, sweet Indian of the game show, “Who wants to be a Millionaire?” which is known in mithais and the sound of firecrackers which fills the air. India as “Kaun Banega Crorepati?”. Entirely scripted, directed and stage- managed by students, the show was about the achievements of a family Despite the fact that Hong Kong embraces cultural diversity, I do still participating in the game, but it was also intended to raise awareness of miss the distinct feeling of Diwali that I remember in India. Dancing Indian culture and traditions by the nature of the questions asked. to the Bollywood beat and eating Indian delicacies are a good substitute and definitely an enjoyable way to celebrate, but for me the true Cultural diversity is a prominent feature of Hong Kong and people Diwali scene can only be experienced in the streets of India, amongst support their peers by celebrating with them. During the Indian New individuals bustling with energy, singing and dancing. Year, they dine out together in Indian restaurants or attend a Diwali- themed party. Diwali is extremely important for Indians across the Nevertheless, Diwali is the celebration of lights. It marks the start of a world and by wearing Indian clothes or greeting friends on Facebook, new and prosperous year. Even if firecrackers do not shoot across the one can show appreciation for their culture. sky, bright candlelight decorates every Indian household. Buy yourself some traditional Indian clothes and make sure to celebrate festivities For me, Diwali is extremely important. I celebrate my culture and and the amazing culture of your friends. Embrace diversity. It is all background, I wear Indian clothes and I participate in cultural rituals around you. • with my family. Having lived in India and celebrated Diwali there every
44 Youth Hong Kong December 2010 Travel
The Chinese experience: Singapore, Taiwan and Hong Kong by Au Ka-lam
Singapore is a multiethnic society with a multicultural atmosphere unlike Hong Kong. I went to markets with my aunt, where we chatted with local people and with the entire family I went to food centres where we ate Peranakan food, a melting pot of Chinese, Malayan and Indonesian. It was all a great opportunity to experience life like a real Singaporean.
Taiwan was different again. In Taipei, Taichung and Kaohsiung I saw typical commercial downtown areas. But the small villages brimmed over with peace and the hospitality of the Taiwanese people. In some ways it seemed like visiting mainland China. People looked like I believe that life is to be enjoyed, and travel helps us appreciate it. We same. Roads and buildings seemed similar, but you knew that really they experience different cultures, meet lovely people and try out tasty foods. were quite different. There are so many ways to enjoy travel and make life more meaningful at the same time. Costume and communication Clothes and language reveal other aspects of cultural difference that Shopping and eating you can see when you travel. Although Hong Kong people are usually In Singapore, for example, where I spent two weeks at my uncle’s home, smartly turned out, the young Taiwanese are sometimes described as I went to many famous places like Little India, Chinatown and Katong. being even more stylish whereas Singaporeans tend to be casual.
However, youth in Singapore and Taiwan both have an advantage over Hong Kong where language is concerned. Singaporeans are more fluent in English than Hong Kong youth and Taiwanese speak better Putonghua. Travel makes you realize how important it is to speak languages well.
Home and away There is no doubt that Singapore, Taiwan and Hong Kong all have their advantages. People can enjoy a life of peace and prosperity in any of them. But without having visited all three, I wouldn’t know how fantastic the world is, or be so grateful to live in Hong Kong, even if it does have more serious air pollution than the others. Travel widens our horizons. Above all, it shows us we should cherish and treasure what we have. • Photo by Sengkang (Wikimedia Commons)
Note West Island School is part of the English Schools Foundation which caters to a diverse range of students.
December 2010 Youth Hong Kong 45 Feature In the loop Dress to impress! by Asia Bibi
Why does looking good matter so much, especially for young people, and most of all for girls? Is fashion the driver? Does being fashionable make you feel self-confident? One of the in-crowd? We asked a couple of young ladies, and this is what they said.
Fascination and obsession demand and the suppliers respond, so that’s Walking round a crowded Hong Kong good for the economy! shopping mall with people all dressed up is fascinating. The other day for example, I was Savvy choice, fitting in out with my best friend and we were gazing Brand-name goods are pricey but you can at one beautifully dressed girl after another, often get something similar and cheaper in when she said, “I’m going to buy the latest the local shops. Keeping up with fashion also Gucci handbag soon and a Marc Jacob dress helps teenagers fit in with their peers, as they for the party.” “Are you insane?” was my mostly want to buy similar clothes and other immediate response. “It’s gonna cost you a things. If they don’t, they usually feel left out fortune!” Yet, she went on mumbling about and that can lower self-esteem. If you want to the design and ignored me altogether. It just keep on hanging out with peers, you have to goes to show how obsessed the majority dress accordingly. teenagers are in Hong Kong when it comes to fashion and shopping. Inevitably, “Made in China” products make life for Hong Kong youth easier. You can buy There’s no question that keeping track of “look-alikes” of big brand names easily here So why exactly does one crave to look the best? the latest trends has become a priority for and satisfy your passion for new fashion at Celebrities play an important part. They are Hong Kong teens. The textile industries can a fraction of the price. Although teenagers some of our role models. Some fashion trends make the most of this. Teenagers like to just are more likely to recognize the look of a in Hong Kong show that there is an obsession buy what they fancy. That means they boost certain brand, they are less likely to be status- with things Japanese here. Young people are conscious about the price, so they are quite always talking about learning Japanese, travelling happy to have a copy. to Japan and having bangs and cute dresses like the ones Japanese models and TV stars are e-fashion shopping option wearing. Following the trend plays a crucial part. Long gone are the days when everyone used to walk the streets for hours to shop. While To make the dream of owning these products some still prefer traditional shopping, online a reality, most teenagers choose to shop in shopping has given shoppers another way to places like Mongkok where the small packed fill their wardrobes with must-have items. Not stores, cheap prices and variety of clothing only is “e-shopping” convenient but it can to choose from makes the experience be done from another part of the world. Of worthwhile. Indoor shoppers never have to course you can always bargain too, and that’s leave disappointed. There are so many options certainly an option for less well-off young in Hong Kong it’s impossible to list them all. people. The list would be never-ending.
46 Youth Hong Kong December 2010 Feature
Mirror mirror on the wall dress, surely isn’t a wise decision, but peer So, is this enthusiasm and passion for fashion pressure is so high that some teenagers feel really worth all the effort you have to make? forced into such habits. Personally I believe It may boost your self-esteem there is a price that you should wear what makes you feel you have to pay for being fashionable. We all confident. Be who you are and wear what you are made differently, with different shapes are, if you look like someone else then who and sizes, so what looks good on one may not needs you? • look good on another. Many teenagers start suffering from eating disorders, either because And who says beauty is all they eat less than is healthy for them or because they eat unhealthy food. Not eating about sizes, “Beauty is in the enough, just to make sure you can fit into that eye of the beholder”.
A chance to re-invent your self by June Leung
Multi-culture and couture the courage and the imagination to use the latest Hong Kong, with its international trends to your advantage and create your own environment, is a combination of different special look, with your own particular flair. cultures reflected in the way people dress. Most of the inspiration and ideas come from Really, fashion is a way of re-inventing Japan, Korea or the west, rather than Hong yourself. It provides an opportunity to try Kong itself, which does not have much of a something new and change your identity or tradition for local and innovative designs. mood as you change your look. •
In Hong Kong, being fashionable can be an Fashion is not about spending expensive business. If people want to keep up with the latest trends, they have to spend a lot lots of money and looking the to get imported clothes and just to ensure an same as everyone else. Fashion ever-changing “look”. is all about having fun! Seriously fashionable Those who are very serious about fashion tend to buy lots of magazines and study the different trends. They are also the type of people who buy only brand name clothes or will even go abroad to shop. Just to keep up!
However, I believe that what makes a person fashionable is not simply copying trends and looking like an advertisement come alive from a magazine, but inserting your own personality into what you wear.
Courage, imagination, flair I think that if you want to be noticed, if you want to be really fashionable, you need to have
December 2010 Youth Hong Kong 47 Kaleidoscope
The founding of the Federation by George Stokes
George Stokes is a man of compassion and commitment. Still tall and upright despite the 50 years that have passed since he founded the organization, George has an enduring loyalty to Hong Kong youth. His memories of the 1960s bring alive once more the resettlement crisis when he was here in his late 30s.
“The 1960s were a most interesting and challenging “One day an American from a charity arrived. He time for me. I came to Hong Kong from London at said, ‘If I had some money, what would you do with the invitation of InterChurch Aid, which is now called it?’ We were well-prepared. The plan was right there Christian Aid. I was given the names of a committee in the drawer. We got our camp. That was the start of who would guide me. The help of Peter Tsang, the the present day Sai Kung camp.” Field Secretary, was especially useful, not only because of language but because he had great understanding of the Chinese people and history.” I am so proud of my part in the work of the Federation. Now it has grown so large, it meets so many needs in the community, has so many different activities and such a keen, enthusiastic staff that I am proud It was World Refugee Year and I saw an exhibition about the difficulties still to be thought of as an honorary member. I celebrated the 45th that people from China were facing in Hong Kong. They had so anniversary with you. Now, 5 years on, we celebrate the 50th. May the little. I wanted to help them. The hillsides were teeming with children good work continue for another 50 years.• from squatter huts, dressed in snowy white school uniforms, carefully laundered by desperately poor, labouring parents. All they had were a bucket, a bar of soap and a standpipe in the street.
“I remember standing in Wanchai as the trams rattled past feeling alone, illiterate and completely culturally ignorant. There followed a period of learning about the place and the people, and discovering the needs of the young.”
After a time of research and finding people to help we began training youth leaders and trying to find places where we could open clubs. By the time I left in 1970, the foundations of the HKFYG were established.
The Federation's 45th anniversary celebration We drew up plans, unrealistic though they seemed at the time. One idea was for a camp in the countryside, with canoeing and dinghy sailing. We knew there was no money for it but we did costings and put them away in a bottom drawer.
48 Youth Hong Kong December 2010 Kaleidoscope Image by Hong Kong Observatory Hillsides with squatter huts Photo by Eternal1966 (Flickr/Creative Commons) (Flickr/Creative Eternal1966 by Photo Old Wanchai trams
Mr. Stokes at the Federation's 25th anniversary
Clear objectives, solid foundations In the 1965-66 Annual Report, Mr Stokes wrote that one of the Federation’s objectives was “to foster the public recognition of and support for youth The beginnings of the Sai Kung camp (above and below) group work, youth groups being for young persons of 14 years and upwards and designed to provide them with character-training and healthy interests, and to inculcate a sense of responsibility and self-sufficiency.”
One of the other objectives at that time was the promotion of other youth groups, and this work is still reflected in its English name today. Although HKFYG no longer has this role, its work of fostering young people, supporting their healthy, rounded development as well as helping to instill in them the “sense of responsibility and self-sufficiency”, referred to by Mr Stokes, continues undimmed. As he said, “The most important thing is that the foundation we laid 50 years ago is still firm. The details are different but the ethos is exactly the same.”
December 2010 Youth Hong Kong 49 Advertise in Youth Hong Kong
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50 Youth Hong Kong December 2010 December 2010 Youth Hong Kong 51 By courtesy of FormAsia Books Ltd - Hong Kong
Publisher The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups 香港青年協會 www.hkfyg.org.hk • www.u21.hk
Address Youth Hong Kong 21/F, The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups Building, 21 Pak Fuk Road, North Point, Hong Kong Tel: 3755 7084 • 3755 7284 • Fax: 3755 7155 Email: [email protected] • Website: youthhongkong.hkfyg.org.hk The title of this journal in Chinese is Xiang Gang Qing Nian 香港青年