Thanks, with all my art
Yip Pik-yung is grateful that she is able to take drawing lessons to make her dream come true.
'I have always wanted to learn drawing. However, my mother rejected my request because our family is too poor,' the 13-year-old said.
Pik-yung and her family moved from the mainland to Hong Kong in 2002. The family did not have much spare money for the children to take up leisure activities.
Under the Revive My Dreams project, which is organised by The Boys' and Girls' Clubs Association of Hong Kong, Pik-yung is given an annual subsidy of HK$2,000 for two consecutive years. She could use it to take up any extra-curricular activity that she wished to try out.
Pik-yung said that she had to choose between drawing and magic when she was first asked what it was she wanted to do with the money.
'When mum said I can't take drawing lessons, I didn't dream on anymore. I never thought I'd get the chance to take drawing lessons,' said the Primary Six student from SKH Yautong Kei Hin Primary School.
Through the scheme, Pik-yung did not only learn how to do water colour painting, she also attended a one-day English camp organised by the Hong Kong Institute of Education with 72 other students, and had many new experiences.
'There were games and many things to see. I had a very enjoyable day there,' she said. The once shy girl quickly made friends with other applicants and went on to have a smashing time.
The group staged a drama, interviewed strangers on the street for their project, and for the first time in her life, Pik-yung went to Lamma Island.
'I used to be quite emotional, dependent, and lacked confidence; I would usually only chat with my younger sister and would not do anything by myself.
'Now that I have seen and tried so many other things, I feel much more confident. I can now even speak with a loud voice in front of a group of people on stage,' she said.
Pik-yung's drawing classes may have to end in six to seven months time when the money from the subsidy is used up. When asked if she would rather not have started, she said no without hesitation.
'If I didn't take it up, I may never get the chance to learn. In the next few months, I hope to learn how to sketch,' she said.
Towards the end of her sharing, Pik-yung took her mother's hand and thanked her for introducing her to the project.
Revive My Dreams project
Organiser: The Boys' and Girls' Clubs Association of Hong Kong
Sponsors: Partnership Fund for the Disadvantaged and Jing Mei Group of Companies
Recruitment period for second batch: March to May, 2008
Districts: Ma On Shan, Cheung Sha Wan, Yau Tong, Tseung Kwan O, Southern District, Lok Man, Tsz Wan Shan
Quota: 80 (10-12 students from each district)
Eligible requirements: 1. Primary Four and Five students 2. Family income 50 per cent under the mean figure
Application: Applicants may be nominated by schools or give their applications to their district centre
Project officer: Sindy Yeung Ho-yan
Enquiry: 2343 3554 (Yau Tong office)
