Hong Kong youth must believe in their own potential
David Lui says young people who dare to dream and are willing to work hard for success will always find the community support they need
Last month, I took part in the Community Investment and Inclusion Fund conference in Hong Kong. The fund was set up by the government to promote social services and support in the community.
At the conference, various speakers shared details of how they support others. One young chef at a five-star hotel, for example, goes out of his way to help young people who have withdrawn from society and even their families by seeking to interest them in cooking and gradually gain their trust.
Another shining example came from an entrepreneur who turned his boyhood love of making robots into a successful business, designing various instruments and machinery. He began to pursue his interest in Form 1, bringing into school a robot he had made, demonstrating it in the playground to fellow students and teachers. Even though he wasn't academically gifted, he excelled in making robots and won several school competitions before winning a global contest.
We also heard from a leading company in Hong Kong that offers jobs to those recovering from mental health problems, thus giving them a chance to re-enter the workforce.
On another occasion, I heard from a teenager who has a special interest in designing leather products. He learned his art in a support programme organised by Deloitte and the Buddhist Mau Fung Memorial College in Tin Shiu Wai. He has now set up his own company in Mong Kok with a friend and designs and makes his own leather products.
What drives me to highlight all these young entrepreneurs is their hard work in pursuing their dreams and developing their talent. All these young people came from low-income families, and with support and encouragement from people at school and in the community, they have excelled.