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SCMP Reporter

Volunteering is beneficial to all
I recently volunteered to visit underprivileged families and distribute groceries.
The most memorable experience  was visiting an old woman who had recently  lost her husband.
When we arrived at her home, she  burst into tears and thanked us over and over again. But we hadn't done anything, really. Why was she so touched?
Her  reaction  reminded me that if you show  concern  for someone who needs it,  they won't feel so alone.
I highly recommend  working as a volunteer. Not only will it make a difference to other people's lives, it will  make you happy.
Colour Kong, TWGHs Lui Yun Choy Memorial College
See life from another angle
If you were asked whether a zebra is a white animal with black stripes, or a black animal with white stripes, what would you say?
In fact, both answers are correct - it just depends on your point of view.
This is also true in our friendships and relationships - we may think a certain thing is true, but someone else may see it another way. It doesn't mean that either party is wrong.
If we are stubborn and refuse to see something from another angle, it can mean the end of a relationship.
Like art, there are many different ways of interpreting things. Don't close your mind to other interpretations, or you may be closing yourself off to new ideas.
Jasmine Leung, Shun Lee Catholic Secondary School
Don't be stingy
Most  teenagers in Hong Kong don't have a lot of money, so they have to be careful about how they spend.  Some  waste their money buying things they don't really need while  others are stingy and never buy anything.
Some people may think  it's acceptable  for a teenager not to spend, but there is a difference between being careful with your money and being stingy.
Of course it's important to save money. We can compare prices and make sure we're getting the best deal. We can avoid buying something just because someone else has it. We can wait with something we don't really need until its price goes down during sales.
But if we have money, and we can afford to get something we need, we should get it. Being mean with money is a very unattractive quality.
A Reader
My timeless hobby
Most people have a hobby.  I have  been a 'creator' for two years - I create  scrapbooks.
I  got hooked  when I saw one of my father's scrapbooks.
It was really cute, but I had some ideas of how he could make it better, so I started my own.
Whenever I'm creating a scrapbook, I  push myself to make it tidier and cuter than the one before because I want  it to be better than my dad's!
I  really enjoy the process  of sticking pictures, writing comments  and decorating.
I love looking back on old scrapbooks and remembering how I felt making it.
Even though time passes, my scrapbooks still remain. And it doesn't matter if I can see the faults in earlier works - there is a feeling of accomplishment with every book.
Carmen Cheung, Tsuen Wan Public Ho Chuen Yiu Memorial College
Love your family
Do you love your family? I used to think mine was difficult to handle,  especially my mother who I found  annoying.
She always shouted at me and told me what to do.
But because I thought I was mature enough to know what I wanted from life, I would always argue with her.
When I was in Form Three, my parents  had some serious health problems.  My mother needed  an operation. I was afraid they wouldn't get better. And I finally realised how much I loved them.
Luckily, the operation was successful and they both got better. Our relationship  improved,  too. I realised that, no matter how much they bother us, it's just because they care for us.
Therefore I  try my best to control my temper and avoid   arguments.
If you have similar problems with your family, remember that they care for you. You only have one family. Remember to love them in return.
Jeanne Shih, Christian Alliance S.C. Chan Memorial College
Demand better food
According to surveys,  a single cream bun  contains up to  70 per cent of  the daily recommended limit of trans fats.   Excessive trans fats can dramatically increase the chances of heart disease.
The public should be educated about the importance of choosing healthier food.  Food manufacturers should also be urged to reduce the amount of harmful substances in their products.
If people demand better quality foods, manufacturers will be forced to act and make their products healthier.
Manufacturers should make public health  a priority.
Candy Lam, Leung Shek Chee College
See what's inside
A lot of people, especially women, have  a warped concept of beauty. They think that being thin means being attractive and will guarantee someone will marry them.
But being chubby is  not a crime. Just because you're not skinny doesn't mean you're  destined to fail.
People should be more concerned about their personality than their appearance. We shouldn't judge people by what they look like.  Instead we should get to know them.
Beauty is only skin deep. Get to know a person's  heart.
Lui Wing-tung, Shun Lee Catholic Secondary School



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