Joining the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups (HKFYG) in 2012, Anson Wong has played a key role in various HKFYG projects, including being a core member of the 36th Neighbourhood Team, Chairperson of the Neighbourhood First‧Youth Roundtable, a member of the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups’ Youth Services Advisory Committee, and a member of the “Start-up Hong Kong”, etc., and she has always been active in social services in the community. However, she used to be an introverted girl who was easily nervous and lacked self-confidence. Recalling her first encounter with the HKFYG 12 years ago, as the “big sister” of the family, she took her two younger sisters to the Youth S.P.O.T near her home to sign up for the summer programme. She felt uneasy, but she and her sisters were soon infected by the joyful and warm atmosphere there and built up a deep friendship with the social workers and other young people. Since then, it has become her second home. She laughs, “Whenever I encounter difficulties in my studies or life, this place always gives me support and strength to overcome them.
Finding a purpose in life through volunteering
Encouraged by the social worker in her unit, Anson joined the Neighbourhood Team from Form 1 and discovered her interest in childcare services. Through participating in different services, she particularly enjoyed the sincere and simple expression of emotions when she came into contact with children. Once she visited the underprivileged children at the Precious Blood Children’s Village. This experience gave her a deeper understanding of the impact of family relationships on children’s development and the realisation that happiness is not a given, which inspired her to serve children and families. Anson, a qualified kindergarten teacher, is pursuing a Bachelor of Early Childhood and Family Studies programme to enhance her personal and professional capacity to provide more impactful services to the youths and the community.
From Programme Participant to Service Leader
After joining Neighbourhood First, Anson has been given various opportunities, including organising the Neighbourhood Reunion Dinner and serving as a service leader at Neighbourhood First． Neighbourhood Festival, etc. However, what impressed her most was the fact that she was able to share her experience in the Neighbourhood First programme with her teammates. And also her appointment as the Chairperson of the second Neighbourhood First Youth Roundtable. This programme aims to deepen the work of Neighbourhood First by organising senior youth volunteers as Neighbourhood First Co-Representatives to promote Neighbourhood First on a territory-wide basis. In the process of participating in the Youth Roundtable, Anson has met like-minded team members from different professional backgrounds, and with mutual encouragement and support, contributed to the community together. Anson has learnt the skills of leading and managing a team and has had the opportunity to collaborate with different stakeholders to develop and implement effective programme plans.
Looking back on the past 12 years, Anson is convinced that the federation has provided a supportive and inclusive environment for her to grow, develop her interests and skills, and find her values in the process of service. She quoted the English definition of Youth S.P.O.T., “Youth S.P.O.T. – A Space for Participation, Opportunities and Training”, to express her gratitude to HKYHA for giving her every opportunity and challenge to explore her other side and to mould a more confident, capable and responsible person. Anson will continue to participate in different services of HKFYG, nurture more youth leaders across different units and professions, and pass on her ideas to the next generation to promote youth work development.