We aim to create stronger bonds among the volunteers of EWB-HK. Individual volunteers shall respect each other and their differences while sharing common goals and expectations. It is our pleasure to collect volunteers’ passionate stories and share with you all.
Everyone can be a change-maker - we hope our stories can bring you and the community some positive energy and inspirational cogitation!
EWB-HK 10th Anniversary Night 2018
EWB-HK contributes in the community development in local, Mainland and overseas for over a decade, with the supports through the networks of EWB-International, as well as organizations from diversified backgrounds. Having reshaped our direction and position since 2012, we have brought balance and a more proactive dialogue on issues for people on the margins.
2017 marked the 10th year of EWB Hong Kong, we had set out clearly-defined teams to take care Hong Kong Services Projects, Overseas Services Projects, Young Persons and Training. Together with our partnership organizations and inter-Committees collaboration, we tackle the complexity of our changing world.
The road to this stage is not easy. We thank to our directors, committee heads, committee members, volunteers and helpers. Last but not least, the continuous supports from our partner organizations and universities are much appreciated.
我及我們的
緬甸奇幻旅程
義工: 陳浩銘
人生就是一段旅程，我們青年會於2015及2016年於柬埔寨完成兩次海外服務後，正摸索未來路向，於2015年9月28日在理工大學出席2015年社會創新節(十日節)十日。亞細亞遇上我們日後的緬甸顧問，初次認識緬甸，並開始我及我們的緬甸奇幻旅程。
我於2016年至2019年走訪了緬甸的東南西北，由仰光市、伊洛瓦底三角洲、克倫邦的泰緬邊境105公路、實皆省與欽邦交界的Kale、撣邦的大其力Tachileik，曼德勒市及克欽邦密支那Myitkyina，理解緬甸情況才確定我們於緬甸的服務項目。
有很多義工曾經問過我項目如何誕生 ? 我也總是回覆「一齊皆緣份」。
我很幸運在每一個地方遇上願意貢獻自己給國家的緬甸朋友，給予我真實落地學習的機會去理解當地人的需要、與邊境山區的少數民族一起生活，了解其生活點滴。我們有很多緬甸項目的合作伙伴是經過長逹一至兩年持續溝通才開始合作，熟識緬甸的朋友也會理解緬甸最具挑戰是溝通特別是我們居住海外，我也經歷過用長途電話告知他們要回覆電郵或臉書的時間，每一次也是一種學習，也不停失敗，每一次失敗也教懂我珍惜每次親身到緬甸的機會，也有些項目很遺憾基於手上的資源我地這麼小的團體現階段難以協助，作為一個負責任的專業人士，盡力把項目完成。緬甸為一個多元文化互相交融、保留殖民色彩、民風純樸、剛開放予世界的國度。此國度教懂我最多的地方是珍惜緣份及在乎人與人之間的信任。
如何奇幻 ? 如有緣成為我們的義工，再聊。
My and Our Myanmar Amazing Journey
Volunteer: Sam Chan
Life is a journey. When our young members group has finished two overseas service trip in 2015 & 2016 and explored new road map, I have attended Social Innovation Festival 2015 – Asia Consortium in HKPolyU and met our current Myanmar advisor. Such a meet started our Myanmar amazing journey.
I have visited the east south west north of Myanmar from 2016 to 2019, from Yangon city, Ayeyarwady River Delta, 105 road of Thai/Myanmar border in Karen state, Kale between Sagaing region and Chin state, Tachileik in Shan state, Mandalay city and Myitkyina in Kachin state.
Many volunteers asked me how does the project start ? I always say “Fate”
I am lucky to meet Myanmar friends which eager to contribute themselves to the country and gave me real and practical learning opportunity to understand local need and their living story, and stay with ethnic minority in the border region. Partner organizations of some current projects have been reached for at least 1 to 2 years such that we feel confidence to start partnership. Those familiar with Myanmar will understand that communication in Myanmar is very challenging especially we stay overseas. I have experienced the period of international phone calling to inform them to check email or facebook. Everytime is a learning and failure. Each failure teaches me to treasure the opportunity when I staying in Myanmar. It is unfortunate that we cannot provide assistance to some project based on limited resources in this small organization. As a responsible professional with reasonable care, I try to accomplish the project. Myanmar is a place for multi-culture cohesion, full of story of colony, simple and just open to the world. Such a place teaches me to treasure the fate and trust with people.
How amazing? If you are one of us, we can chat in details.
Happy Birthday to 1st anniversary of
the ‘Hong Kong
Projects Committee’
and
t
he establishment of the ‘Overseas
Projects Committee’.
Volunteering without borders!
Volunteer: Chris Tsui
On this amazing journey over the past two summers, I work closely with other volunteers with different backgrounds, professions, and cultures to explore global challenges and to carry out pro bono service in urban slum in Yangon, Myanmar.
Volunteering without borders
I still remember my first time doing survey with a family in a slum neighborhood with poorly constructed houses and streets awash in trash and litter — a bit nervous and worried saying something inappropriate. Soon after starting the interview with the help of interpreters and local student helpers, we then had a relaxed chat while collecting information about their lives. And we saw smiles lighting up on the family. Their smiles are even more rewarding as they will always live in our memories, making our work more meaningful. We won't forget that!
Back to slum in the second trip, we conducted engagement activities in a monastic school to identify constraints and exploit opportunities for school enhancement. We played with young students for their ideas about dream school. We discussed with the principal and teachers for their views on a better teaching environment. Even though that was our first visit, we already shared laughter and joy with the students and teachers through the activities. We also learnt that it is most important to listen to others about their opinions to develop projects that meet users’ needs. We won't neglect it!
Also, we designed and developed engineering solutions to enhance a children centre for vulnerable girls and boys. We successfully built a solar lighting system for the library, added rain curtains for a children dormitory and repaired the mosquito net of the dining hall. Although we worked under a mixture of thundery downpours and heat waves, all rain-soaked and sweaty faces found it a worthwhile experience as we were able to get involved in the global communities and see that we have power to make changes. This experience strengthens our sense of global citizenship. We won't regret it!
Looking Ahead
I feel grateful to volunteer these trips. I have met many amazing people that have broadened my horizons and deepened my knowledge, which enable me and other volunteers having the same passion to build a better world, to shape a better future.
Let’s meet on this amazing journey!
(P.S. Huge thanks go to the entire team at EWB, who had organised, executed and supported these amazing trips.)
Borderless friendship with Myanmar volunteers
Volunteer: Gloria Ip
It’s a pleasure to work with EWB as a volunteer and organising committee in the Global Citizenship Programme 2019. The service trip to Myanmar enabled me to gain insight and deeper understanding on local culture and issues with compassion and gratitude.
The borderless friendships with Myanmar Engineering Society students were memorable. Hope to see you in the next GCP service trip.