[SCMP Archive] Giving back to those in need

[First published on May 26, 2005] Andrew Chan Kwan­to, 18, a student at the Hong Kong International School, finds happiness in helping mainland children have nicer smiles.

We are selling rice dumplings at seven shopping malls during weekends and public holidays to raise money for mainland children who have cleft lips or palates. The money we raise will go towards Operation Smile. The campaign will last until June 5. I would like to visit the children who benefit from our campaign, to chat with them and see how else I can help them.

I came up with the idea of selling rice dumplings to raise money for the children as the Dragon Boat Festival approaches. Instead of buying dumplings from local brand­name restaurants, why couldn't people buy some for charity? So I got down to it and contacted Operation Smile and submitted a proposal to a property company to do the fund­raiser.

My parents give me a lot of support and guidance in my voluntary work. They too are very keen volunteers. My father sometimes does free dental work for poor mainland children. He has even held buffet lunch parties at his office for the children. They think I am doing something right and tell me to carry on with my voluntary work and contributions to society.

I started doing voluntary work when I was a little kid. In kindergarten, I volunteered to sing and dance in our graduation ceremony. I have also tried doing volunteer work at a new migrant children's home, where I tutored and befriended the children. I find it very meaningful and satisfying when I help others. This is how I got into volunteering, and I have become very committed to it.

When I was in the US, I helped local inner­city children with their homework and served dinner to homeless people at a soup kitchen. I went to the mainland with World Vision on a trip to help local people with dental problems in 2002. I also helped World Vision to teach students English through playing games and friendly interaction on the mainland last summer. I sang for the elderly and to disabled mainland children.