YMCA 2024 March Perspective

21-03-2024

Cover Story

YMCA Connects with Arup's Volunteers to Educate

Secondary School Students on Sustainable Development

To cultivate a sense of livability and sustainability among young people, the Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong ("Association") partnered with Arup, a global built environment consulting firm, to organise the "Greenovation" - Wu Kwai Sha Youth Village Sustainability Programme. Bringing together Arup's volunteers and university students, the programme provided guidance for participating secondary school students to address urban planning challenges through STEAM elements and design thinking methodology. With the themes of "Designing a Livable City" and "Low Carbon Community/Carbon Neutrality", the students applied design thinking skills to propose sustainable redevelopment plan for the Association’s Wu Kwai Sha Youth Village.

Over four months, 36 participants from various secondary schools and universities received training and guidance from Arup's volunteers in subjects such as design thinking, sustainability, green technology and urban planning, supported by university students as "peer mentors". On 2 March, the 6 secondary school teams showcased their campsite renovation concepts via Minecraft simulations and 3D models at the Final Judging & Showcase Day.

This programme featured three award categories. The "Best Performance Award" and the "Most Sustainable Development Award" were presented to Sacred Heart Canossian College, with team members Lo Hoi Tung Reacker, Man Tsoi Chi Natalie, Wong Hoi Lam Janice and Lau Hing Yu Venus. The team proposed transforming the veggie plots into a greenhouse, butterfly garden, fountain, recreational spaces, an observation deck, mini museum, and cafes. They also recommended using recycled wood and green energy - integrating environmental, social, and economic sustainability in a way that was described as a potential eco-friendly green education centre by the judges. The students found participating an enriching experience to apply their learning in a real-world context and valued guidance from Arup’s volunteers.

The "Most Innovative Award" went to Fukien Secondary School (Siu Sai Wan), with team members Law Lok Hin, Zheng Zhan Peng, Liu Huan, Choi Shing Hon for their ingenious solar flower and 360° rotating solar panel designs and solar-powered mosquito trap. Their creative concept was highly appreciated by the judges

A sharing session was also held on the day, with representatives from the Association, Arup, as well as university and secondary school participants sharing the project vision and lessons learned throughout the four-month process.

These outstanding proposals will be integrated into a blueprint to guide Wu Kwai Sha Youth Village’s sustainable development journey.

Visit all the teams' Minecraft stimulations: https://wksminecraft.gns.hk/

What's News

"H³ Project" WhatsApp Stickers for Free Download

Our "H³ Project", a youth mental health support programme, has invited local illustrator Humchuk to design 18 WhatsApp Stickers with 6 "H"s - Here, Hear, Hug, Hope, Health and Happiness, hoping to encourage the use of simple and straightforward stickers as a quick start to care for those with mental health needs around the youth.

Download link: https://whatsticker.online/p/721605z3M7Ct3/HK/zh

The Hardourview receives multiple environmental recognition awards

In recognition of its efforts in promoting environmental stewardship and sustainable development, The Harbourview has been honoured with a number of accolades including the Certificate of Merit - Hong Kong Awards for Environmental Excellence in the category of "Hotels and Recreational Clubs", and the "Green Office Award" and "Eco-Healthy Workplace" Label by World Green Organisation (WGO) for its green practices in the workplace, including energy saving, water saving, waste reduction, paper reduction, green purchasing and integrated environmental management to create a healthy working environment for employees. The Harbourview will remain committed to supporting the goal of carbon neutrality by 2050 for a sustainable, low-carbon future in Hong Kong.

Featured Pogramme

Hong Kong Secondary School Mini-Movie Competition 2024

The World Alliance of YMCAs (WAY) has established "YMCA Vision 2030" in 2022 as the blueprint for the future of YMCAs around the world. Entering its 10th year this year, the Hong Kong Secondary School Mini-Movie Competition is dedicatedly themed on "Our 2030". Participating teams are encouraged to create mini movies based on "YMCA Vision 2030" to share their hopes for the world in the post-COVID era, reflecting the youth's perspectives and aspirations on topics ranging from community development, career planning, learning and education, sustainable development to peace and justice.

Competition categories:

Junior division: S1 to S3 students

Senior division: S4 to S6 students

How to Join:

Participants are required to complete the online application form on or before 31 May 2024 (Friday) and return it with a link to their entry and a brief description of the entry.

Enquiries: 2857 7700 / 6888 6307

Official website: www.ymca.org.hk/minimovie2024

Programme Highlights

First Season of the "Mindfulness through Sports" Programme

The first season of the Jockey Club Active Elders Programme - "Mindfulness through Sports" was launched in January this year to engage people aged 55 or above in a variety of sports and experiential activities for better physical, mental and spiritual wellness. With the concept of "Mindful Friday", the programme encouraged people to develop a regular meditation habit and organised the first "Mindful Friday" experiential activity on 16 February. Offering a series of activities including mindful eating, mindful walking, mindful stretching and body scanning, the programme attracted close to 40 participants from the golden age group and the elderly to experience mindfulness in the beautiful surroundings of Wu Kwai Sha Youth Village, enhancing their physical, mental and spiritual balance. By staying present, stretching their bodies and calming their minds, participants were able to develop self-awareness, reduce stress and relax to enhance their mobility and inner balance.

The programme will continue to offer a wide range of experiential activities and mindfulness classes on a first-come, first-served basis, all free of charge. All participants aged 55 or above are welcome to join. For details, please refer to the programme's Facebook page or the updates on the website.

Walking Football Asia-Pacific Invitational Tournament 2024

Organised by the Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong - Jockey Club Walking Football Project, the "Walking Football Asia-Pacific Invitational Tournament 2024" was successfully held from 27 February to 1 March. With the participation of YMCAs from Osaka, Seoul, Taipei and Guangzhou, the tournament took the opportunity to introduce Walking Football to YMCAs in other regions for promoting golden age recreation and sports ministry. Representatives from The Walking Football Association (WFA) of the United Kingdom were also invited to join and share their experience in the promotion of Walking Football. The Association's General Secretary, Mr Karl Lau further signed a new Memorandum of Understanding with Mr Paul Carr, Chief Executive Officer of the WFA, whereby the Association will continue to be the exclusive partner of the WFA in driving the development of Walking Football in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area.

Walking Football "Golden Age x Rehabilitation" Sharing Session

Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong - Jockey Club Walking Football Project also held a sharing session on 29 February at YMCA's Kowloon Centre, featuring Mr Stuart Langworthy, Director of the WFA; Mr Simon Forrest, a British player with Parkinson's disease; and rehabilitated trainees of the project for sharing, as well as Executive Secretary Mr Joseph Law, Head of Health Care Professions Department of the Association and registered physiotherapist, who delivered professional analyses to demonstrate the benefits of Walking Football as a new, safety-conscious sport that helps improve physical and mental health. Mr Yau, a participant of the project who had previously undergone an angioplasty surgery, was reluctant to do any exercise until he was introduced to Walking Football, enabling him to regain his passion for football and meet a group of friends sharing the same interest.

The project will organise experiential sessions for people suffering from or recovering from Parkinson's disease, cancer and cardiac diseases, so that they can learn about the benefits of Walking Football and develop a regular exercise habit. For details, please refer to the updates on the project's Facebook page.

Multicultural Day 2024

The Task Group on Developing Ethnic Minorities Services in Hong Kong organised the "Multicultural Day 2024" on 25 February, which featured exciting performances and activity booths, games and handicrafts workshops showcasing different cultures, as well as a bazaar selling signature products and a scenic photo zone. The event attracted a total of 678 participants throughout the day. Apart from introducing participants to the multicultural characteristics of Hong Kong, the event also aimed to promote exchanges among people of different cultural backgrounds in Hong Kong for cultural diversity and social inclusion.

Bridges Street Centre - Literary and Historical Walk

Curated and presented by the Knowledge Management & Strategy Section, the event invited Dr Lee Yat-hong, Angus, Hong Kong author, university lecturer and Executive Editor of Zihua, as an instructor, supported by Hong Kong Literature Research Centre of the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Listed as a declared monument by the Antiquities Advisory Board last year, Bridges Street Centre is described as "a place to bring in new ideas that contributes to social development in some ways" and "a testimony to the development of social services and the history of Hong Kong".

The two sessions of "Bridges Street Centre - Literary and Historical Walk held on 24 February were an extended educational programme of the guided tours of Bridges Street Centre, which helped promote the significance of the monument. During the featured guided walks, guided readings and shared readings, the instructor guided participants through the architectural features of the Centre, and elaborated on the history of YMCA and the two speeches delivered by writer Lu Xun in the Centre's auditorium in 1927, namely "Silent China" and "Fading Old Tunes". Through a multidimensional learning experience, students were able to enrich their literary and historical insights and acquire a deeper understanding of the relevant literature and the culture and history of the time. A total of 39 secondary school students from Hoi Ping Chamber of Commerce Secondary School, Ju Ching Chu Secondary School (Yuen Long) and Chinese YMCA Secondary School participated in the event.

PAIN Kick Zone

As city dwellers who often work overtime and frequently perform repetitive motions, we are more susceptible to joint pain or sports injuries that can affect our quality of life. The Association’s Health Care Professions Department is launching a regular monthly column and publishing short articles about self-care. Topics covered will include arthritis, joint pain and self-healing. For more detailed health-related information, please visit our website www.ymca.org.hk/hcp or call 2783 3616 for inquiries.

Golfer's elbow

Golfer's elbow is typically caused by repetitive and forceful movement of the wrist and forearm, such as those involved in swinging a golf club or racket, throwing, or lifting weights. The repetitive stress on the tendons can lead to small tears in the tendon fibers and inflammation. Common symptoms include pain and tenderness on the inner side of the elbow, which may radiate down the forearm and lead to weakness in the affected arm.