CW Chu College The Chinese University of Hong Kong eNewsletter

A CW Chu College Service Team comprising 11 local and non-local students was formed in Term 2 of the 2012–2013 academic year. The team launched its first project entitled ʻUnderstanding Socially Disadvantaged School Youths Through a Social Service Endeavourʼ.

The purpose of the project is to promote the all-round development of students at CWC through engagement in a social service learning project. In collaboration with Po Leung Kuk C W Chu (PLKCWC) College, a local secondary school with a large number of socio-economically disadvantaged students and academically low achievers, the project specifically addresses the importance of understanding the reality and dynamics of social deprivation and value orientations through experiencing a social service learning venture. In this project, College students develop leadership skills and civic and social awareness, while the disadvantaged school teens build confidence and learn strategies to mobilize their own strengths.

To kick off this project, a meeting was initiated by the College Master, Professor Kenneth Young. He paid a visit to the school on 8 April 2013, and meet with the school principal Mr Lung Tak Yee, the vice principal Mr Lai Siu Ki as well as a number of teachers. Members of the CWC Service Team then conducted briefings for the targeted students and carried out recruitment at the school in mid-May. A total of 29 Secondary 2 and 3 students were recruited.

The Service Team also submitted a project proposal to the I‧CARE Service Projects Funding Scheme 2013 and delivered a presentation to the selection panel in early June. They were able to gain support from the above Fund.

Following a Pre-camp Workshop, a 3-Day-2-Night camp was organized at Breakthrough Youth Village from 15 to 17 August 2013. Activities including mass games, rock climbing and student sharing were held to build confidence and enhance communication skills of the participants. Moreover, the Service Team will invite participants from the school to visit CUHK on 21 September 2013 (Saturday). Sponsors of this service programme will also be invited to join part of the activities, e.g., a causal tea gathering, on that day.