Nineteen students from various departments of City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) participated in a Service Outreach Experience Programme organised by Student Development Services (SDS) from 30 May to 5 June. They travelled to Yunnan to engage in volunteer service, which broadened their horizons through their service experience and cultural exchange.

Following the Mongolia volunteer trip last year, students this year travelled to Yunnan for seven days of volunteer service. CityUHK aims to provide students with opportunities to engage in exchanges with people from different cultural backgrounds through service-learning experiences both on and off campus, thereby enhancing their leadership skills, encouraging them to explore fields beyond academics, and helping them become responsible global citizens.

During the seven-day journey, the students organised various community service activities, such as birthday parties for local children and older adults, and making dumplings with local residents. They also visited places like the Lijiang Old Town and Yulong Snow Mountain to appreciate Yunnan’s historical and natural beauty.

Before embarking on her journey to Yunnan, Yoyo Ding Tsz-yiu, a third-year Accounting student, doubted whether their efforts could truly help local children overcome the financial difficulties and resource limitations. However, this experience helped her understand the importance of companionship. “The parents of the local children work in other cities in the mainland to make a living, and our companionship helped fill the void somewhat. Although we spent only two or three days together, we developed deep feelings, and we all hugged and cried when we left,” she said.

Yoyo has extensive volunteer experience and participated in volunteer activities focusing on children before entering CityUHK. She stated that “helping those in need” is the spirit of her participation in each volunteer service and that volunteering has led her to reflect deeply on life.

“I also have moments of confusion and sometimes don’t know what to do. Volunteering made me realise that the academic achievements, life experiences and material possessions I pursue daily are insignificant; having clean food, water and clothes is already a blessing. Volunteering has given me a greater feeling of being alive,” she explained.

Another student, Jackson Wong Man-ching, a third-year Public Affairs and Management student, said that he wanted to gain a deeper understanding of rural development and poverty alleviation work in the mainland through the Yunnan trip. He also hoped to engage in cultural exchanges with the ethnic minorities in Yunnan.

“Although the time spent with the local children was short, it made me reflect deeply on the need for society to invest more resources in poverty alleviation for them. Their smiles and sincere treatment left an unforgettable impression on me,” he said.

Jackson, who has also been involved in volunteer activities in Hong Kong, noted that the biggest difference in overseas volunteer service is that students must interact with ethnic groups or communities they have never encountered before, which requires more time for preparation, such as learning about their culture and social background, to achieve the service objectives.

Both Yoyo and Jackson mentioned that the experience helped broaden their horizons and made them reflect on their roles as volunteers. Yoyo said, “This experience reminded me that I am a global citizen and made me realise that there are many people in need of help, both in Hong Kong and around the world.”

Jackson added, “This journey taught me to be grateful and cherish what I have, and it has also motivated me to contribute more to the development of Hong Kong and China.”