(Hong Kong – 1 January 2016) 1 January 2016 was a special New Year’s Day for 25 student members of The Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Education (HKAGE) and 28 Watoto Children’s Choir members from Uganda, as these youngsters spent a memorable evening having a meaningful cultural exchange at Lions - YMCA Junk Bay Youth Camp, rounding off the Choir’s successful Hong Kong tour.
The event was part of Service in Action, a service learning programme, of the HKAGE. It was the first time for the Watoto Children’s Choir members to meet Hong Kong students for cultural exchange, though previous members of the Choir had staged performances in Hong Kong before. To give the Ugandan children an appreciation of Chinese culture, the event provided an opportunity for them to learn Hung Kuen, a Chinese martial art, together with the HKAGE student members. Under the martial arts instructors’ guidance, the young learners got started with the basics such as kicks and the horse stance, followed by a series of fundamental skills and tricks in Hung Kuen. While Chinese martial arts were something new to the Ugandan children, most of the HKAGE student members were also first-timers. The “kung fu experience” brought them great excitement and enjoyment, breaking down cultural barriers instantly. Afterwards, the student members offered the children Chinese style ornaments, red lucky scrolls with words of blessing and encouragement, couplet scrolls, and a folding fan as a gesture of goodwill.
In the sharing session, the Choir members talked about their feelings during the Hong Kong tour, arousing the student members to reflect on their experiences. “It stirred my heart when I heard a few of them say they were thankful for being able to survive. The things we take for granted were hard earned by them! Because of their words, I’ll treasure whatever I have,” said one of the student members who considered it a valuable experience to meet African children in person. “Although the Watoto children do not have the qualities of life and resources that can compare with ours, they stay optimistic about life and hopeful about the future. Their positive thinking has inspired me.” The event ended in a joyful atmosphere, where the youngsters enjoyed a Hong Kong style barbecue dinner together.
Apart from the cultural exchange, a number of HKAGE student members have volunteered at 4 of the 75 concerts performed by the Choir on their Hong Kong tour from October to December 2015. The student members helped sell souvenirs and promote the Sponsorship Programme to the audiences so as to raise funds for Watoto. They were very pleased to have taken part in the volunteer service; one said, “I’m so glad I could make a contribution by serving people in need and see them happy!”
The HKAGE students will help Watoto Asia Office prepare life education materials. In addition, 5 students will give presentations entitled “Service, Learning, Zero Distance: Direct Interaction with Watoto from Uganda” at the Service-Learning Expo 2016 organised by the Chung Chi College, CUHK this April. Those who have excellent performance in Service in Action will get the opportunity to visit Watoto Village in Uganda during this summer holiday and meet the Choir members again. They will care for the local orphans and vulnerable women through teaching, building community facilities and paying visits.
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The youngsters practise the basics before learning Hung Kuen skills.
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The children are excited about Chinese martial arts.
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Everybody enjoys the kung fu lesson.
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The student members learn more about Uganda through conversations with the Choir members.
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The student members offer the children Chinese ornaments, red lucky scrolls with words of blessing, couplet scrolls, and a folding fan as gifts.
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The Watoto children get their first taste of Hong Kong style barbecue.
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The student members and Watoto choir adult get to know about each other’s culture and life during a fireside chat.
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