• Every year, we collaborate with overseas parties or local organization to serve in deprived regions for about 2-3 weeks.
• Four students, coming from different departments, are grouped according to their interests in different service targets. 
• In the pre-service stage, with guidance from the course instructor and the collaboration party, the groups draft service proposals according to the service targets described. During the service stage, the course instructor and collaboration party provide supervision and advice to students. In the post-service period, students submit individual and group reports and oral presentation is required.
• The service emphasizes the application of academic knowledge and skills as well as the reflection of self and social issues.

2024/2025 Service-Learning Programme (Non-Local)

Briefing Session

Date: 24 January (Friday) | Time: 5:30-6:30 pm

Venue: CK TSE Room (G/F) (Chung Chi Library)

The Briefing Session will be conducted in Cantonese. Please register via the online form: https://cuhk.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cM7ydzmCRk552mO

Course Information

Course Information

Application

Joint Application for Summer Programme

Application Period: From 17 January at 1pm to 5 February at 1pm

Webform Link: https://cloud.itsc.cuhk.edu.hk/webform/view.php?id=13701688

Group: A1

By participating in local community development and maintenance, experiencing local life, and interacting with residents, we gained an understanding of their culture. We organized activities for primary school students, and elders, to engage in cultural exchanges with the locals. Through activities such as visiting tea gardens, interviewing tea workers, and experiencing forest therapy, we learned about tea etiquette, the history and significance of local tea, and the differences in tea culture between the local community and Hong Kong.

Group: A2

We gained an understanding of the living conditions and challenges faced by local residents and provided assistance to the community through practical actions. In terms of environmental conservation, we conducted maintenance and cleanup activities at Yulong Spring. For community building, we participated in the building of market stalls and environmental cleanup at the 2626 Market. In terms of caring for the elderly and young, we accompanied elders to convenience stores for shopping and created traditional handicrafts together. We also planned activities for the children at Ruiyuan Primary School and engaged in play with them.

Group: B1

We assisted in maintaining the environment and facilities of the community. By working and living in the natural environment, we integrate into the local natural and cultural surroundings. We visited the Fuxing and Ruiyuan communities to engage in elderly service and interactive activities with children. Through cultural experiences, we gained a deeper understanding of the local industrial operation, enhanced our concepts about local environmental education, and learnt to live in harmony with nature.

Group: B2

During the service activities, we actively participate in local cultural experiences. We have appreciated the cultural heritage of Red Oolong tea and the local characteristics and economic value it embodies. By engaging in community activities related to the Amis and Hakka cultures, we deeply feel the connections and integration between different cultures. Additionally, through interviews with residents during our service, we gain insights into the impact of returning youth and regional revitalization on the community.

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Group: La Casa Esperanza | Service Location: Dumaguete, Negroes Oriental of the Philippines

La Casa Esperanza, which translates into "The House of Hope," is a shelter that provides a safe and secure environment for girls and young women aged from 6 months to 34 years old. We planned a variety of activities for eight service dates, including Hong Kong-style group games, a physical activity for beach outing, a Cantonese-Bisaya language workshop, a "Princess Party," an "In-house Cinema" session, a mindfulness stretching exercise, a wellness check-in session, and an art workshop. Our goals were to offer emotional and social support, help the young women navigate trauma or isolation with empathy, trust, and acceptance, encourage healthy emotional expression and stress management, empower them to develop stronger self-esteem and efficacy through self-love and validation and, most importantly, had fun with them.

Group: Dumaguete City Youth Home | Service Location: Dumaguete, Negroes Oriental of the Philippines

Dumaguete is a coastal city with rich agricultural and fishing resources. During our stay, we lodged at the Dumaguete Youth Home, which serves as a detention center for youth caught in legal proceedings. In the Home, the boys follow a strict daily schedule, with only 3 hours of free time for activities. Due to time and security constraints, outdoor activities are limited, and specific tools are not allowed. We noticed a lack of educational opportunities, a sense of community, space for creativity, self-respect, and problem-solving skills among the boys. Besides, bullying is a significant issue among the boys residing there. In response, we planned some activities to promote among the boys a sense of community, interactive learning, and the development of self-esteem and teamwork skills.

Group: Barangay Boloc-Boloc | Service Location: Dauin, Negroes Oriental of the Philippines

During our Service-Learning program, we had the amazing opportunity to assist approximately 800 villagers in Barangay Boloc-Boloc, a community in a mountainous area south of Dumaguete City. We engaged with various groups, including children, adults, and the elderly. We participated in activities such as helping at a local bakery, organizing traditional games, participating in road construction, selling homemade street food, transporting piglets, and interacting with the local community. We fully immersed ourselves in their daily lives, bridging the gap between the Philippines and Hong Kong cultures. One of the most unforgettable moments was connecting with the vibrant teenagers of Boloc-Boloc and discovering their keen curiosity and enthusiasm for learning. Additionally, we had the chance to meet and form meaningful connections with the elderly in the community, resulting in numerous cherished memories throughout our service-learning journey.

Group: Little Children of the Philippines Foundation | Service Location: Dumaguete, Negroes Oriental of the Philippines

Our service title was “Raising Hopes in Hope Village”. Our main goal was to collaborate with the Little Children of the Philippines to create meaningful activities for around 80 children in the Hope Village. We had multiple objectives for our activities, including sharing Hong Kong cultures with the children. We introduced our beloved childhood games to the Philippines children, such as “What Time Is It Mr Fox", "Rainbow Parachute”, “Cat's Cradle”, and “Monkey Ball.” We also hosted a Cantonese workshop and made Asian snacks for them such as Tang Hulu and Pineapple Sausage. We organized a Sports Day for the kids to learn teamwork and communication, boosting confidence through a Talent Show and ensuring the children had fun.

The GK Village was organised by the Gawad Kalinga Community Development Foundation, aiming to alleviate poverty and empower through education. We served around 30 children and teenagers from 59 households displaced by Typhoon Sendong (Washi) and resettled in Jamalipayon with the Foundation's support. During the service trip, we aimed to facilitate sharing of experiences and lifestyles between culturally diverse groups, to engage actively with the service target through prepared activities, and to enhance our team spirit for smoother operation and stronger bonding within the group. We organised various activities for our service targets, including a Music Workshop and Cantonese Workshops, Hong Kong Traditional Games, an Arts and Crafts Workshop, a Barter Market, a Bisaya Storytelling, and a Hong Kong Local Food Tasting Night.

Acknowledgment: Office of Community Engagement and Service-Learning, Silliman University, Philippines