Turning youth inspiration into aspiration and aspiration into realization

  同學們，在參與一系列環保先鋒活動中，那一個活動環節讓你們留下的印象最深刻呢?

  活動過程當中，你們又學到甚麼呢?

A warm Chinese New Year event “Environmental Pioneer” for entertaining the elderly was held on January 29 at Ju Ching Chu Secondary School (Tuen Mun). The event was jointly-organised by Kathyryn Louey Elderlyland, a voluntary group, Tuen Mun District Women's Association Ltd., Ju Ching Chu Secondary School (Yuen Long) and Lingnan University. This event was sponsored by EdExchange Limited and Hong Kong International Airport.

The aim of the event was to provide an opportunity for the elderly in Tuen Mun district to experience Chinese New Year celebration at my school. In addition, this event also provided our Form 1 student helpers a chance to take part in voluntary work, which is part of the Other Learning Experience (OLE) discipline the school offers for voluntary programme. It was fantastic to witness the enthusiasm of our Form 1 student helpers, student helpers from Ju Ching Chu Secondary School (Yuen Long) and HKIEd, parent helpers from Tuen Mun district, staff from EdExchange Limited, Lingnan University and Kathyryn Louey Elderlyland, and Councillor Chan Sau Wan in making this meaningful event a success.

There were four activities for the elderly to participate in the event. They included making sticky balls ‘Tong Yuen’, calligraphy ‘writing Fai Chun’, Chinese New Year paper cutting and badge making. The elderly fully enjoyed the activities. For ‘Tong Yuen’ making, with the help of some parents, the elderly made ‘Tong Yuen’ and could taste the products at the end of the event. During the activity, I noticed that some of them didn’t put sugar stuffing in the ‘Tong Yuen’. They explained that for health reasons, they didn’t want to eat too much sweet food. They provided me an insight to the importance of maintaining good health at their age.

The elderly enjoyed writing ‘Fai Chun’ on that day too. It seemed to be one of the most popular activities, as Mr. Chan Ching, a famous Chinese calligraphy master was invited as our guest teacher to teach the elderly calligraphy. The elderly paid full attention when writing some blessing words. I dared not to disturb them. I stood aside and appreciated their involvement quietly. I interviewed one of the elderly who was very proud of his work. He shared his skills of writing ‘Fai Chun’. He said ‘Practice makes perfect’ and added that it is the secret to success. He also encouraged me to do my best in my studies and told me the history of ‘Fai Chun’. I learnt a valuable lesson from him.

It was an impressive moment when the elderly cheered the magic show performed by the ‘Magic Group’. An elderly was invited to participate in the show. She was excited but hesitant, as she didn’t know what the students were going to put on her. The trick was successful and she was delighted. The elderly didn’t know the secret of the trick. However, they had a lot of fun.

I think this event was a great success. I paired up with Kabie Chan to be the MC of this event. It was our first time being MCs of such a big event. Feeling nervous was inevitable. However, we learnt a lot from the elderly and from the event, particularly in managing the activities. We should be alert and deal with unexpected situations on the spot because the pacing of the event kept changing and some incidents may occur with no prior warning. Moreover, we learnt to work together with parents, teachers, and student helpers.

I have made good use of some free time during the event to chat with some elderly. They shared some experiences with me and they also encouraged me in a positive way, ‘A person will increase one’s knowledge through every experience.’

The ‘Environmental Pioneer’ event was successfully concluded with the help of the above sponsoring organizations. We were pleased to find the elderly enjoyed themselves so much. That afternoon, they left our school with great memories and joy. It was very touching towards the end when they shook our hands. Their smiley faces radiated their happiness and reflected their appreciation. When the student helpers, teachers and some parents escorted them into the car parks, they waved happily back at us. We were a bit emotional and kept waving goodbye until they were out of sight.

Kelv Yuen (6A)

Our MCs, Kelv and Kabie start the event with a welcoming speech.	An elderly is focusing on cutting out the words ‘大吉’ which mean ‘good luck’
The elderly enjoy making yummy “tong yuen” with different sweet stuffing.	This gentleman is writing some blessing words for the students.

Can you guess what will happen to her head?	Our student helpers are making badges for the elderly. Look at the special effects!
Look at our ‘happy’ smiling faces!!	Our Speech Festival Solo Verse champion, Joyce Lam from 1A is reciting a poem “What Teachers Wear in Bed”

中國文化一直重視敬老愛幼，家人互助，社區和諧。如何使之實踐，就得要由小培養人學人之間的關愛精神，使在幼小心靈內埋下關愛的種子了。

裘錦秋中學的屯門校及元朗校與嶺南大學、屯門區婦女會雷羅慧洪耆康天地合辦，並獲得教融易EdExchange贊助了一項極具意義的「環保先鋒」之關懷長者活動。

「環保先鋒」之關懷長者活動藉瑞鼠將至之際，透過慶新春寫揮春、包湯圓等活動向長者宣揚環保愛地球；同時，亦讓以中一學生所担任之環保先鋒身體力行去敬長者愛社區。

「走出課室」，多參與社區活動，累積課本以外的學習經歷是教育的大趨勢。

「環保先鋒」之關懷長者活動是個起點。

我們已於2007年11月26日舉辦開啟禮及義務工作工作坊， 其中，把探訪服務時候所遇到的情境，邀請學生上台答問，期望加強參加者的印象，觀察參加者的表現，反應良好。

總括來說，整個工作坊的氣氛良好，能夠帶活動的主動，期望引發他們參與義工服務的興趣。其後 , 戚主任更於本校網頁透過網誌Blog與學生交流分享活動感受 。

養學生敬老愛幼之孝悌精神，透過、提高學生環保意識 , 如 : 懂得紙張分類、回收及循環再造、明白栽種植物與改善空氣質素的關係 , 及試行發展新高中課程中之其他學習經歷 ( OLE ) ‘ 社會服務 ‘ ------ 鼓勵義工活動 ; 此活動亦融入學科課程 , 有視藝科、通識科、電腦認知科及學科活動等 。

接著為迎接新的一年 , 將於2008年1月29日舉辦迎新春活動 , 將有約50位屯門區長者參加 , 活動包括有影襟章相、寫揮春、剪紙、造湯圓 , 服務生為新高中第二屆畢業生即現中一級同學 , 歡迎長者參加 , 如有興趣 , 可向裘錦秋中學(屯門)及屯門區婦女會 雷羅慧洪耆康天地 報名 , 費用全免 , 額滿即止。

由於未來活動須款推行 , 如有興趣捐款支持 , 可於2008年到教融易EdExchange Limited網頁申請 。

教融易EdExchange Limited

網址 : http://www.edexchange.org/edexchange/IndexAction.do?lang=tw

裘錦秋中學(屯門)

網址 : http://www.jcctm.edu.hk/index2.htm

地址:屯門楊青路28號

電話 : 24665898 傳真 : 24646161

屯門區婦女會 雷羅慧洪耆康天地

網址 : www.tm-women.org.hk/activities/07member.pdf

地址:屯門湖景邨湖碧樓 20-29 號地下

電話 : 24665898

同學們，你們參加了義工訓練後，有何得著呢?試發表你的感受。

蔓怡老師