The Hong Kong Society for Rehabilitation
Where: 6/F, 7 Sha Wan Drive, Pokfulam
What: Established in 1959, the charity helps people with physical disabilities due to illnesses or injuries to restore health and economic self-sufficiency. Its Rehab Volunteers began in 1983 to organise escorted recreational activities.
Teen volunteer: Angel Yeung Ngai-kwan, 22, is an student at City University of Hong Kong. She has been doing volunteer work for over six months.
'I joined the volunteer team when doing an internship at Easy-Access Travel Limited, a subsidiary of the Hong Kong Society for Rehabilitation, last year.
We normally have activities on Saturdays about three times a month. Last month we had barbecues and flag-selling activities.
It is my duty to help the physically disabled people during meals, move their wheelchairs and chat with them. Because we are new volunteers, they don't talk to us much. They are no different from normal people, who like to meet old friends and talk with the volunteers they know.
They like to go shopping. This is not because they want to buy anything in particular but because they have few opportunities to do this by themselves. They want to have contact with more people, to know what is trendy and what contemporary society is like. That's why we arrange visits to shopping malls during outings.
Each person has different needs, so don't be shy to ask more about their level of disability. Some may feel that going to the washroom is quite troublesome and they won't request your help until you ask them if they need to go.
You must also be skilful when pushing the wheelchair - it's like driving a car.
It is an enjoyable experience doing volunteer work with my classmates. School is busy so we don't have much time to hang out together.
I also learn how to work with different people. I am studying Leisure and Tourism Management, and I need to know how to approach people with special needs.'
