Saturday, 7 March 2026By 4J Cheryl Lam, 4J Jeanie Lee
On 14 November, we joined a meaningful OLE activity, visiting the squatter area near our school in Tan Kwai Tsuen. The visit took almost three hours, but we had an unforgettable time with the villagers and it was worth the long journey. We had a tight schedule packed with training workshops beforehand, so I was quite nervous. I had rarely talked to elderly people, so I thought it would be difficult to start a conversation. However, the visit was better than I had expected. The tour of the squatter area was eye-opening. Our guide, a villager, not only introduced the history of Hung Shui Kiu but also the wildlife living alongside the river, such as the black-faced spoonbill, one of the world’s endangered species. She also shared stories about the path we walked on. For example, Tan Kwai Road was once used as a military site in the early 1980s.
When we visited our guide’s home, it was very tidy and clean, which surprised me greatly. She takes excellent care of her house, making good use of every space. She had even made decorations herself and used tape to cover the worn walls, creating a spacious and lovely environment. “Your living environment doesn’t define who you are. Utilise what you have and make yourself at home. As long as you are happy, that is enough,” she shared. We also interviewed a couple who have lived in their house for over 60 years. They love living there as it holds many good memories. We learned that the villagers are deeply attached to their neighbourhood and have no intention of leaving. They have built strong connections within the community and developed close relationships with their neighbours over the years. In conclusion, the visit to the squatter area was truly an unforgettable experience. I learnt that the villagers take good care of their homes with love and demonstrate remarkable resilience. We benefited greatly from the visit and are grateful for this invaluable opportunity to learn from the villagers’ positive attitudes. We hope to continue caring for our community through service learning in the future, spreading love and compassion to those around us.