Volunteering is a great way to meet new people, experience new environments and learn about ourselves, while giving back to our community. Student Residence Hall 9 with Cornwall School gives residents opportunities to give back to our community.  We have 15 volunteers that visit two days a week. Our volunteers come from Hong Kong, Mainland China and Canada, working together and sharing in this experience.

The volunteers recognise the value of giving, especially with these children who need extra special love and care. Volunteering at Cornwall school, Steven, a law student, says, “It shows the special needs of the minority in society and how we, as the majority, can help.” As Muriel, a foundation year student, put it, “We can have a better understanding of life when we help others.”

Many people do not get an opportunity of this kind. As Karen, a law student, says, “I did not have a chance to do volunteer work involving children in the past, and would like to take this opportunity to understand children and myself more.”

We learn and find meaning in life; those are the memorable experiences, forever cherished. Ruoxi, a foundation year student, says, “The volunteering can sometimes be really difficult, because of lack of experience. The most memorable thing for me is that I learn how to do something to help the children with special needs.”

Diana, an exchange student from Canada, says, “I joined this volunteer group because I was looking for a way to make Hong Kong really feel like home for me. I figured that the best way to do this would be to become involved in the community and I've always enjoyed working with children, so this was a great opportunity. Of course, it goes without saying that I also wanted to spread a little Canadian love on the other side of the world!”

We strive to help and learn for a simple purpose. As Jay, an accounting student, says so succinctly, all he wants is to see “The smile of the students.”