Teen volunteer: Ken Cheng Kam-yuen, 17, has been a HKCS volunteer for about two years.

He won an award last year for his outstanding volunteer service. The Form Five student is a committee member of the Youth Forum of Shamshuipo, a platform for young people to convey their views to the government and community.

'An outreach social worker from HKCS introduced me to the group in 2003 when I was wandering on the streets after school. At that time, I was a naughty student. I slept through lessons every day and played after school. At one point, I dropped out of school for three to four months and was jobless.

I joined the Path Creation Project of HKCS, which is a scheme that helps young people who are unemployed dropouts to develop their strengths and understand themselves so that they can find their life path in life.

Joining the project was a turning point in my life. Through the programme and volunteer activities, I learned more about myself. My self-confidence also rose and it made me want to study again.

I mainly help run activities for young people. Because I was once a boy scout, I have camping and hiking skills. I've taught young people to create a fire using wood and cook with basic utensils.

At first, I took part in volunteer activities just for fun. But I gradually realised that applying what you have learned in the past to help people is a genuinely a joyful experience.

I now spend less time on volunteer activities because I need to work and study. But whenever I have spare time, especially during the holidays, I will contact HKCS social workers to see if they need any help. You must take the initiative to become a good volunteer.'