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Elaine Yau

Bottle Shiu Ka-Chun, 39
Baptist University social work lecturer Bottle Shiu Ka-chun is still  passionate about  helping residents in Tin Shui Wai although he left  his job as a frontline social work  there four years ago.
There have been many measures proposed  to help the poor in the remote district, but Shiu dismisses most of them as senseless and unfeasible.
He  finds the  nicknames given to the  area especially sad.
'People call Tin Shui Wai the 'City of Sadness' and 'besieged city'. Those names never reveal what the residents really think,' says Shiu.
'International actor Chow Yun-fat and Heung Yee Kuk chairman Lau Wong-fat suggested a name change,  saying that the moniker has bad fung shui,' says Shiu. 'Some social organisations volunteered to give out bottles of hot milk to the residents.
'But they never asked what the people there truly want.'
Before  he started teaching, Mr Shiu worked as a frontline social worker in the area from 2000-2004.
His work allowed him to  discover the real needs and wants of  Tin Shui Wai residents. His attachment to and love for the  district are evident in his recently published book about the new town.
A collection of his past writings about the place and powerful commentaries on social ills, the book has plenty of thought-provoking analyses of the social problems plaguing  Tin Shui Wai.
'All those charity ventures would only breed dependency. A bottom-up approach of helping residents attain self-reliance  should be adopted,' he says.
Shiu cites a meaningful venture proposed by  residents to prove his point. 'Some residents suggested setting up a collective to provide air conditioner cleaning services in the neighbourhood. It's creative and feasible. But the government refused to provide them start-up loans. The residents' ideas are not respected.'
The book is full of Shiu's sharp wit and perceptive comments. The ability to make these observations helps him professionally: as well as lecturing and commentating on social problems, Shiu is  a syndicated columnist,  author, radio guest speaker and a host for a current affairs  TV show.
Of his many roles, Shiu relishes teaching the most.  Dressed in a hoodie, baggy jeans and wearing big black-rimmed glasses, his trendy appearance  belies his scholarly rigour. 'Today's students are not attracted by solemn and serious intellectuals. You have to get their attention  with something they like,' says Shiu.
'I can talk about trendy sneakers with my students. But I can also share with them serious academic thoughts. I want them to understand that knowledge can also be interesting and cool.'
Profile
1992: Graduated from Baptist University of Hong Kong (BU) with honours in Social Work
1997: Published his first book
1999: Joined an RTHK TV programme as guest host
2000-2004: Worked as a frontline social worker in Tin Shui Wai
2003-2004: Worked as one of the hosts for Summit on Commercial Radio Hong Kong
2004: Began part-time doctorate studies in Social Work at BU
2007: Joined BU as a full-time lecturer in Social Work
2007-present: Working as one of the hosts for Speak Up on TVB Lifestyle
'People call Tin Shui Wai the 'City of Sadness' and 'besieged city'. Those names never reveal what the residents really think' - Shiu



Listening to the people