CW Chu College The Chinese University of Hong Kong eNewsletter

On 18 March 2014, the CW Chu College Service Team, in collaboration with Caritas Hong Kong, organized a visit to residents living in sub-divided flats along Castle Peak Road in Cheung Sha Wan and took the opportunity to conduct interviews with over twenty parties of residents. In groups of two, members of the Service Team knocked on the doors of different rooms in the neighbourhood and introduced themselves as volunteers who were there to understand more about the residents' living conditions and needs through questionnaires.

The College Service Team consists of members from diverse backgrounds, including students from mainland China, Taiwan and Thailand in addition to local students. It was the first time for most of the team members to visit these sub-divided flats. Through this activity, the team was able to meet people living under such poor conditions and to understand their daily needs. The Service Team aimed to raise members' awareness about the problems of living conditions in Hong Kong, and more importantly, to reach out and show care and compassion for people in those conditions.

Here are some reflections from service team members who took part in this meaningful event.

Hinson Chan, local student, Social Work Year 1, President of Service Team

Although it was not my first time to visit residents of sub-divided flats, I gained new experiences every time. Every resident I visited had his or her own story to tell, which touched me a lot and had an impact on me. Facing such kinds of poor living conditions, some residents were submissive, while others felt dispirited. They were actually victims of the disparity between the rich and the poor and the lack of government support. After the visit, we, as university students, should reflect on how the existing social structures lead to these poor living conditions, and how we can change the status quo through our future careers. That's the real meaning of our visit.

Mike Wang, a student from mainland China, Energy Engineering Year 2, Member of Service Team

This visit to sub-divided flats in Hong Kong, the invisible areas hidden behind the bustle of the metropolis, left a deep impression on me. The flats were as small as 'dovecotes' and I found that the misery of tenants mainly came from the difficulties they faced during the process to earn a living. During the visit, however, I was fully aware that I had only observed the cruel and disappointing facts on the surface. In regard to so-called 'social justice' and 'equality', I think every member of society should make it part of his or her responsibility to focus on the small things and try to make a difference. After all, occasional visits could be nothing more than a way to show our sympathy, and continuous care and efforts from the entire society are what the sufferers really need.

Gary Wu, a Taiwanese Student, Integrated BBA Year 1, Member of Service Team

I had a new understanding of prosperous Hong Kong after this voluntary activity. I was really surprised by the so-called sub-divided units, although I had already been told about the scarcity of land in Hong Kong. Some people's flats are so incredibly tiny that they can only accommodate a bed and a small passage for all members of a family. After the visit, I realized that I could not take my parents' care for granted any longer, as it's not easy for them to earn a living. I am now quite satisfied with my current life and, most importantly, I learned to be grateful.