All We Need Is LOVE - Volunteer Training Scheme 2012
President's Speech
‘To Shine is to Give’ is the theme of this year’s Executive Committee, in the hope of reinforcing the missions of the association and evolving the association into a platform where every single one of us can present our unvarnished belief in excellence. We would like to contribute, as much as what we have achieved, to the values we believe, to people we bond to and to the society we cherish. With such aims in mind, Volunteer Training Scheme 2012 “All We Need Is Love” has been the first project of the Executive Committee.
Through workshops and services in VTS 2012, participants were trained in the domains of social skills, team work, leadership skills. Also, they are equipped with the skills to serve different groups of people, namely the blind, the mentally disabled, children and the elderly. We highly appreciate that our participants exert themselves and apply what they have learned into the service projects. Geared with experience, skills and a passion to serve, participants would be able to and encouraged to contribute to social services in the future. We hope they will take the role of a leader in their future services and encourage more people to evolve into the voluntary work.
As one of our guest speakers said before, voluntary work is not just social services, but also the enthusiasm to take care of people around us. Let’s keep the passion and enthusiasm in our mind and change the world for the better.
LO, Victor
Through workshops and services in VTS 2012, participants were trained in the domains of social skills, team work, leadership skills. Also, they are equipped with the skills to serve different groups of people, namely the blind, the mentally disabled, children and the elderly. We highly appreciate that our participants exert themselves and apply what they have learned into the service projects. Geared with experience, skills and a passion to serve, participants would be able to and encouraged to contribute to social services in the future. We hope they will take the role of a leader in their future services and encourage more people to evolve into the voluntary work.
As one of our guest speakers said before, voluntary work is not just social services, but also the enthusiasm to take care of people around us. Let’s keep the passion and enthusiasm in our mind and change the world for the better.
LO, Victor
Project Chairpersons' Speeches
LI, Nicky
Bearing the theme – All We Need is Love, we hope not only to see the neglected ones feel loved, but also you and me. Although love is just a four lettered word, it seems to be taboo when we use it between pronouns “I” and “you”. Therefore, many people cannot feel love, since most of us do not know how to express it. Love can be romantic which may give you a sense of fantasy right now, but it also refers to mental support, so as long as you express it in a friendly way, others must gratify your brave approach. You will be the one who can change your friends, your classmates and the world if you are induced by love, since all we need is simply love.
SHEK, Elise
All We Need Is LOVE! We often regret something only after it is lost. Is our affluence making us take everything for granted? Or perhaps our youth blinds us from seeing how little time we have. "We still have plenty of time; there's no need to hurry."
But is it true? After all, didn't they say doomsday is 21st December?
Let's get started and act out your love today!
But is it true? After all, didn't they say doomsday is 21st December?
Let's get started and act out your love today!
CHUI, Anthony
It feels awkwardly unbelievable when VTS2012 really came to an end. I was once a participant of the scheme helping others, and now I am so bumped to see that all of us are able to share our LOVE to society. Take a look at the photos taken during services and the marvelous proposals done by our participants, it is totally unfair to judge that the new generation is indifferent towards voluntary work. Let’s work together to share our LOVE with your friends and neighbours!
Organising Committee members' reflections
Being chosen as an Organising Committee member of this Volunteer Training Scheme is really an unforgettable experience for me. I have made a lot new friends from various schools. Friendship is priceless and I'll treasure it. At the beginning of the event, one of the participants has quitted. This scared me a lot and I didn't know what to do. This is really unforgivable and irresponsible. Luckily I received support from the President of the Executive Committee, Victor, and the Financial Secretary, Nicky, who is a classmate of mine. They have given me guidance and support from the very beginning and I really want to thank them. Time flies, three months have passed since Nicky first contacted and informed me of this event. I am glad and grateful to have met all of you, and for this lovely and wonderful experience. Thank you all.
-Jay Hong (Group 3)
-Jay Hong (Group 3)
It has been a fruitful three months for me. Form the Orientation Day to the Closing Ceremony, I learned more about my group members, learned more about my limits and learned more about caring for others. Together, we experienced a lot. Building a raft, planning the service and serving the elderly, we have built up our teamwork throughout this service. Although I can see arguments among our group members, it didn’t tear our group apart. At last, the service was a great success. To conclude, I would like to quote a sentence by H.E. Luccock “No one can whistle a symphony. It takes an orchestra to play it.” We cannot carry out the service successfully if there were no assistance between one another, no trust between one another and no encouragement between one another. I will say our group did extemporarily well and be proud to be an OC of it.
-Simon Yeung (Group 7)
-Simon Yeung (Group 7)
7878感謝你地,帶給我好多珍貴的回憶!我都本來打算用英文寫感想,不過Kyle話中文親切d,就用中文啦!真係好開心開心可以做到七八組的組媽,我唔擔保話我地係最團結的一組,至少呢三個月,我地都一起創造同擁有咗好多共同美好的記憶!由大家第一日Orientation Day,到歷奇大家一起紮木筏,到一齊做project,一齊做service,至今都歷歷在目!我未必係一個perfect的組媽,大概應該有唔少可以改善的地方,希望有咩唔滿意的地方,大家見諒^^. 其實本來我有千言萬語想分享,但是礙於字數的限制,我就下省10000字。多謝VTS,讓我學會、收穫了很多!
-Natasha Tsoi (Group 7)
-Natasha Tsoi (Group 7)
It is never regrettable to take part in volunteer activities, especially those in which serving the elderly is involved. Through the events, we have learnt how to communicate among a team and organize activities with good preparation. However, what matters most is actually a sense of responsibility. We, as part of the society, should bear in mind the importance of contributing. Nowadays, the less cared and advantaged group of people are always neglected by the society as a whole, and the majority of them are elderly. There is indeed an urgent need of helping them get through the daily obstacles that they encounter, and that's what made this volunteer service so meaningful. Yet, good time management and teamwork are what we lacked during the service. On the day right before the service, we realized that only one participant would be available from both groups and it would be quite inconsiderate if the elderly had to waste their precious time with solely one participate serving them. Therefore, clear and adequate communication is required in order to avoid similar problems. Also, as an organizing committee member, I had to skip some of the events due the lack of time management. I must learn to prioritize the urgent tasks in an effective way. In short, it is one of the most rewarding activities in my life and I feel so proud to be part of it.
-Sze Ka Ming (Group 3)
-Sze Ka Ming (Group 3)
Participants' reflections
Before this service, I thought that blind and old people’s lives would be very dull, or that there will be no one to take care of them. But that is not the fact. I have asked some of the elderly we serviced, and they all said they are very happy to stay at the centre because of the wonderful life and care available at the centre. I can remember that when I first stepped into the centre, they all wore smiles and this gave me courage to have my instrument performance or even play games with them! I have never served blind people before, so this service is very meaningful to me. At first, I thought the elderly wouldn’t want to listen to my playing on guitar, but that is not the case. They were all very happy and they all clapped their hands! It makes me so happy and I can feel the warmth from them. Helping others not only benefits others but also ourselves. Why? We can gain happiness, we can gain warmth, and we can gain courage to do things in our life. This is such a meaningful service and I will recommend the others to do more service like me!
-Melissa Tsui (Group 7)
-Melissa Tsui (Group 7)
短短一個月就這樣過去了,活動也快要完結。我只能用依依不捨來形容我的心情,雖然我們只有幾個活動日,但OC同parti都建立了很深厚的感情,是我意料不到的,大夥人在一起,是舒服的,是開心的。從活動中也令我獲益良多,學懂了不少待人處事的技巧,也嘗試了很多第一次。在這,我想多謝Elise和OC們:「你們辛苦了!」。我也很高興認識你們。Thanks for giving me unforgettable experience!!!! Love u all !
-Pui Pui Wong (Group 2)
-Pui Pui Wong (Group 2)
我很榮幸能成為是次義工訓練計劃的一員 當初被選中能參與其中 其實也感到很意外 因為自己在學校並不是最突出的一群 所以感謝OSA 給予我機會 在過程中有幸認識到一班團結友愛的組員 大家相處十分融洽 同時亦令我感受到溫暖 在服務的時候 雖然過程中有突發的情況出現 但大致上 整个活動還是順利完成了 我由整理計劃書到活動當天 其實都在大家身上學習了很多 特別感謝中心負責人和Exco, OC 們 在旁的指導 更在背後默默地支持 我盼望將來能有機會再跟你們一起服務社會 互相學習 還有增進我們的友誼!
-Christy Leung (Group 1)
-Christy Leung (Group 1)
I am glad to have joined the Volunteer Training Scheme 2012 – ALL WE NEED IS LOVE. In the scheme, I’ve known a lot of new friends from different schools. Although we have different backgrounds, through different activities, we got to know each other better and now we have all become good friends. Also, my communication skills have been improved. I have learnt the way to work and cooperate with others. In addition, I think our visit to the Home for the Aged Blind is a good chance for me to serve the community. In my daily life, I don’t really have a chance to communicate with the blind. After playing games and chatting with them, I now know more about their feelings and difficulties they face. I am glad that I have joined this scheme and I hope that one day, I will use them to serve the community.
-Natalie Lo (Group 7)
-Natalie Lo (Group 7)
It is my pleasure to be participating in the Volunteer Training Scheme 2012 (VTS) and I have really learnt a lot in the training and service programs. On the first day of the scheme, which is a briefing session, we didn’t get along with others well, and we weren’t passionate in the warm up games, as most of us in my group doesn’t know each other. But after a few programmes, like the Adventure Day, we start getting familiarized with others, and we act as a “team”. So, one of the things that I have learnt in VTS is to work with others, maybe someone you met for the first time, for the same goal. To be frank, at the service day, we didn’t really prepare well, and that’s why there are a lot mistakes in the flow of our service plan, like how the games weren’t fascinating for the elderly or the elderly are too inactive. However, as we can all work as a team, we overcame these obstacles by thinking up some games or activities promptly. To conclude, I have truly learnt a lot in the scheme, like getting along with others or the ways of serving the elderly and to bring them fun; most importantly, I am now more passionate in doing services than I was before.
-Ted Hung (Group 3)
-Ted Hung (Group 3)
I have participated in social services before, but never had the chance to organize a service outing all on my own. It is my first time to plan a visit to an elderly home. To be frank, I am not an active member in my group. I hardly know what’s going on in the group because we communicate through facebook and I seldom check facebook notifications. This makes me an inefficient teammate to work with. Though the plan seems flawless and completed beforehand, it always works out quite extemporarily. What I realize between planning and working is that, no matter how well you’ve planned, it will never turn out following your plan word by word. Yet the ultimate goal stays the same, that is, to entertain your service targets.
The organization visit was one of the most unforgettable moments in the programme. As I recall the evening when we were in our seats chatting with Mr Wong Cheuk-Kin, founder of the Home of the Elderly, I recall that Mr Wong told us that taking care of the elderly in our family is more important than taking care of the elderly in our service. It sad but true that many people have neglected their grandparents at home (or elderly home). That is why we, as volunteers, have to visit them through services.
I had a great time with my team members too. What I find most lovely of them is that they have never blamed any member for anything. I am grateful to have such nice teammates who always forgive me. I also learned how to facilitate cooperation in a group as sometimes pressure has to be stressed on the decision maker in order to hasten the progress of the project. It is never easy to say goodbye to my teammates, considering that fact that we share so many memorable moments, like the adventure day, pledge day, presentation day, and service outing.
It touches me the most to see the elderly laughing with joy. It is easy for old people to be content, especially when they have gone through a lot in their lives. I will not forget the most important thing that I have learnt in this volunteer training scheme. It might seem the most trivial and cliché idea, yet many of us have forgotten it: All We Need Is Love.
-Winnie Yip (Group 3)
The organization visit was one of the most unforgettable moments in the programme. As I recall the evening when we were in our seats chatting with Mr Wong Cheuk-Kin, founder of the Home of the Elderly, I recall that Mr Wong told us that taking care of the elderly in our family is more important than taking care of the elderly in our service. It sad but true that many people have neglected their grandparents at home (or elderly home). That is why we, as volunteers, have to visit them through services.
I had a great time with my team members too. What I find most lovely of them is that they have never blamed any member for anything. I am grateful to have such nice teammates who always forgive me. I also learned how to facilitate cooperation in a group as sometimes pressure has to be stressed on the decision maker in order to hasten the progress of the project. It is never easy to say goodbye to my teammates, considering that fact that we share so many memorable moments, like the adventure day, pledge day, presentation day, and service outing.
It touches me the most to see the elderly laughing with joy. It is easy for old people to be content, especially when they have gone through a lot in their lives. I will not forget the most important thing that I have learnt in this volunteer training scheme. It might seem the most trivial and cliché idea, yet many of us have forgotten it: All We Need Is Love.
-Winnie Yip (Group 3)
Closing Videos of Different Service Groups
Group 1 and Group 2
Group 3 and Group 4
Group 5 and Group 6
Group 7
Group 8
Official Closing Video
Warning: Contains amusing clips and mistakes of EXCO members. Viewer discretion is advised.
Internal Social Service Project - Season of LOVE
Service Corner-Low-Income Students Need Your Love for Their Future
What is your first impression towards students from low-income family? Despite the fact that they might not be able to enjoy rich learning resources, they have been studied hard as well. Students from the low-income family in Hong Kong face difficulties of lacking support from their families. They might not be able to have enough stationary, books or IT-support. Lacking resources, they feel stressed for their prospects. From a survey conducted by the The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups, the students from low-income are less optimistic about achieving high education levels than the students from non low-income families. The gap between expectations and estimated achievements is also found to be the same.
Sham Shui Po, as a relatively poorer district in Hong Kong, has a lot of low-income students. Students from the Ka Ling School Of The Precious Blood are some of them. Yet, the school has offered rich supports to them, including The Best Improved Students Award, which is given to some poor yet outstanding students to recognize their efforts. The school has also offered funds for low-income students to pay for their expenses on extra-curricular activities and tuition fees. Now, OSArs has a chance to lend our helping hand to them. By providing English tutorial classes to students from the school, we hope that the classes can help them with their study, as well as allow them to feel the love from society.
Please do not hesitate and join the service. As a member of HKOSA, if you are interested in helping them, please fill in the form in the following link. Details of the service has been provided through email. We sincerely thank for your kindness and support.
http://goo.gl/bEZzS
Sham Shui Po, as a relatively poorer district in Hong Kong, has a lot of low-income students. Students from the Ka Ling School Of The Precious Blood are some of them. Yet, the school has offered rich supports to them, including The Best Improved Students Award, which is given to some poor yet outstanding students to recognize their efforts. The school has also offered funds for low-income students to pay for their expenses on extra-curricular activities and tuition fees. Now, OSArs has a chance to lend our helping hand to them. By providing English tutorial classes to students from the school, we hope that the classes can help them with their study, as well as allow them to feel the love from society.
Please do not hesitate and join the service. As a member of HKOSA, if you are interested in helping them, please fill in the form in the following link. Details of the service has been provided through email. We sincerely thank for your kindness and support.
http://goo.gl/bEZzS