- Chua Hoi-wai, a judge for the category, expects candidates to show leadership, innovation and passion in serving others
- Now entering its 41st year, the event is organised by Young Post and the South China Morning Post and sponsored by the Hong Kong Jockey Club
Chua Hoi-wai, chief executive of the Hong Kong Council of Social Service, recalls how he has benefited from volunteering during his secondary school years. Photo: Jonathan WongGive, and it will be given to you. This is what a volunteer, especially a Student of the Year (SOTY) Community Contributor, should believe in.
Chua Hoi-wai, chief executive of the Hong Kong Council of Social Service, will continue to be a judge for the SOTY Community Contributor.
With more than 30 years of experience in social work, Chua talked about how he started his career by being a volunteer.
“I participated in voluntary service in secondary school. Later, I became one of the trainees in an inter-secondary school voluntary group,” Chua said. “It was rewarding to a volunteer. I gained satisfaction through helping others. It brought me some long-term benefits.”
As an experienced judge, Chua said he expected the candidates to show leadership, innovation and passion in serving others.
“Candidates should show how they inspire, lead and care for other students to serve [those in need] … They also have to demonstrate the ability of developing new programmes to attract new volunteers,” he said.
The Community Contributor award, as the judge pointed out, is to encourage teenagers to recognise social problems and actively help those in need.
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This year’s SOTY Awards competition is organised by Young Post and the South China Morning Post, and sponsored by The Hong Kong Jockey Club. The theme is “Together we grow and achieve”.
Including Community Contributor, there are a total of 11 SOTY awards in nine categories, producing 37 winners. The nomination deadline has been extended to April 30, 2022, due to the early summer holidays.