Interview: Amanda Fung Tsz Yan              
Recipient of the AEF Community Services Award in 2015-16            
 

What motivated you to start volunteering for this project? 

I studied Global China Studies (School of Humanities and Social Science) at HKUST and started my volunteer involvement with the YMCA committee. It allowed me to interact with people from different socioeconomic backgrounds, and made me realize how fortunate I am and how I have always taken things for granted.  
           
At the first workshop I volunteered at, we were on farmland, where I got to partner with a 5 year-old girl. I asked what she liked to do at home; if she liked watching TV or playing with her toys. I was shocked when she informed me that she didn't have a TV nor any toys at home, and in fact, she had to sit on the floor to finish her homework. This was the moment that made me realize how important it is for us to do something for those less fortunate than us.

Given Hong Kong is such a luxurious city with high living standards, if we have the ability, why don't we try to help and contribute more? This incident encouraged me to get more involved in society. Part of my role as an executive member of University YMCA was to design a long-term program for an institution. I chose to work with a school for students with intellectual disabilities in Tuen Mun and designed workshops for the students. One of the workshops was to have students perform at a talent show for the elderly, where we facilitated by teaching the students how to dance and sing. The students had a great time and were proud of their performance. Another workshop was for students to present ideas for activities at a Wetland Park outing with the elderly. By creating these workshops and allowing the students with intellectual disabilities to volunteer for the elderly, we hope that they can feel a sense of accomplishment. While they may have disabilities, they also have the ability to serve others and create meaningful memories and contribute wonderful ideas to society.             
 

What makes you so passionate about what you do, and why is this so important to you? 

I enjoy the bonding moments and the wonderful feeling I get every time I volunteer. Seeing the laughter and joy from the participants I volunteer with is very rewarding. Family is also an important factor to me, and the daily support and encouragement I receive from my family has become my greatest motivation.            
 

With all the time and effort you put in, what are your goals and what do you hope to achieve?    

In September I will be starting a two year Master's program at HKU and working towards becoming a social worker. Besides advocating for animal rights and protecting the environment, I hope to focus on helping those with intellectual disabilities because I believe they deserve equal opportunities and be treated like everyone else.

How do you balance between maintaining your school grades and your volunteering? Can you give readers some special tips that you have? 

To be honest, when I was in year 1, I did not have a good balance between maintaining school grades and volunteering as I stretched myself out too much by being too involved in too many student clubs. By year 2. I learned to prioritize and made myself a timetable by distributing my meetings and volunteering after class and scheduled studying during weekends at home.   
 

Any other thoughts about being the recipient of AEF Community Services Awards?

I think we need kindness and care in society. Each single small step that every individual takes, in combination, becomes a big step.