Mavis has always felt a keen sense of concern about the well-being of the planet and the people around her. She chose to study chemical and environmental engineering at HKUST, not from a pure interest in science or future-proofing her career, but from a desire to protect the environment

In 2008, Sichuan was struck by a devastating earthquake. Mavis, only in her first year of university, felt the shock of this horrific incident keenly, and was desperate to help. She and her friends did what they could to raise awareness on campus and send donations to the affected areas.

She then joined the University's Christian Fellowship to start taking action, eager to find a way for communities to live happily together without destroying the earth they live on.

In her third year, she joined a trip organized by the HKUST Connect to assist with teaching in Sichuan's makeshift schools. “We visited sites that were devastated by the earthquake and I’ll never forget the suffering I saw," Mavis reflects.

She visited Sichuan three more times. After such unforgettable experiences in Sichuan, Mavis was convinced that service-learning was the way to go. So, after graduating, she became a full-time coordinator for HKUST Connect. During her four years there, Mavis managed to organize a variety of service-learning projects for students. To equip herself with professional training in this field, she later obtained a master's degree in social work at CUHK.

In 2016, Mavis joined the Hong Kong Family Welfare Society as a social worker for divorced families, where she continues to work today. "We provide counseling and assistance for couples every step of the way, whether they're trying to keep their marriage together, or going through a divorce, or dealing with a custody battle," Mavis explains. Her care and concern are almost visible. "My goal is to provide a safe space for them to express themselves, deal with difficult emotions, and work through problems in a healthy way."

Looking back on her road to serve the community, one thing always holds true for Mavis: the importance of positive thinking. "No matter what we've gone through and what we want to achieve, we have to cultivate an ability within ourselves to see the good in all things and to always find a way forward."

Learn more about Mavi's story from Alumni Newsletter Spring 2020