Former Hong Kong lawyer sets up social enterprise gym to help troubled youths
Anne Chen quit her high-paying job to pursue her dream of helping underprivileged youngsters by founding a Thai boxing gym
Former practising lawyer Anne Chen Wai-yui had never heard of social enterprises until she set up a Muay Thai boxing gym in 2015 to help underprivileged youngsters.
Chen has helped more than 50 youths over the past two years, of whom 13 have become associate coaches at her gym, Elite Thai Boxing and Fitness.
She was first introduced to the sport in 2013 by her son. She became healthier, losing about 10kg. She then came up with the idea of helping less fortunate youngsters through the martial art.
She was told by some friends that what she wanted to do sounded like a social enterprise.
“That was the first time I heard the term, and I was thinking it was a great form,” Chen said. “In this way I can combine my business experience with doing charitable work.”
Chen first partnered with Youth Outreach, a charity that has been helping troubled youngsters for over 20 years, to bring in the first batch of trainees.