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Lee Wing-Sze

ATTENDING meetings, performing administrative tasks and socialising with people from different walks of life are all part of their daily routine.

They are not businessmen, but student leaders who have taken on a big responsibility and a heavy workload on top of their studies.

Lacking sleep, they sometimes doze off in class, on the bus or the MTR.

Their schools are their second homes - they work there until they are kicked out by staff.

These teenagers are leaders from groups such as the Hong Kong Outstanding Students' Association (OSA), the Hong Kong Union of Young Leaders (HKUYL), the Joint Schools Science Exhibition (JSSE) and the Hongkong Federation of Youth Groups.

Sitting in a room at the Federation of Youth Groups centre in Central, eight representatives from the groups chatted happily, despite the fact that some did not know each other.

They introduced themselves and exchanged namecards while waiting for the interview.

There was no shyness. They were used to chatting to strangers. The teenagers shared their experience of being student leaders.

Victor Lee Wing-kei, 19, a member of the Federation of Youth Groups and past student union president of St Peter's Secondary School in Aberdeen, said they help to bridge the gap between students.

'We work together with students. Our role is to help them and serve them,' he said.

All the teenagers had played an active role in school clubs and associations before becoming student leaders.

Karen Chan Kit-yu, 17, the internal secretary of OSA, said she had met many people and students from different schools since she took up the position.

'I have gained a better understanding of different schools' cultures,' she said.

The youngsters think being a student leader helps them to understand themselves better. It is also a way to test their limits.

Although they have to put in a lot of time and sacrifice leisure activities such as watching TV and playing musical instruments, they think it is worthwhile and a rewarding and memorable experience.

HKUYL public relations officer Sabrina Ma Suk-wai, 17, (who is also South China Morning Post Student Musician of the Year 2001) said: 'We have broadened our horizons and gained experience that we cannot get from textbooks.'

And HKUYL vice-chairman Henry Leung Shun-hin, 17, cited a line from a Japanese comic book: 'Regretting what you've done is better than regretting what you haven't done.'

But there are drawbacks.

'You get tired of meeting and talking to so many people every day that sometimes you just want to be left alone,' said JSSE chairperson, Bonnie Cheng Yan-ki, 17.

As for the future, the group hopes to contribute to society by working as public administrators, environmentalists, social workers and teachers.

Angie Lauw Yi-wan, 18, of the Federation of Youth Groups, said: 'There are so many people in society who need help. I hope I can use the skills I've learned to improve their lives.'



Here to serve