At Hong Kong’s Central Market, a group of children were on a visit, wide-eyed with fascination at the historic location. Cheerful and lively, they looked no different from other kids, except they were communicating in sign language.
The youngsters, mostly deaf or hard-of-hearing, were on a guided tour of the market on December 11, supported by volunteers and sign-language interpreters. The tour, also joined by some of the children’s parents, included the “A Date with Hing Chun Yeuk” exhibition about Hakka life and the traditional culture of seven villages in northeastern New Territories.
“I’m happy. I’ve learned the story of this market,” said 13-year-old participant Hugo Wan Chun-hin, communicating with the Post with the help of a sign-language interpreter.
“I don’t usually fully understand the guide at exhibitions. But today I am able to because we have sign-language interpreters,” he added.
The trip was equally fruitful for eight-year-old Luna Wong Tsz-ming, who is not hearing-impaired but is adept at sign language because her parents are deaf. She joined the tour with her mother.
“I’ve learned some history and culture,” the girl said merrily, with festive reindeer-horn decorations on her head. “I don’t often have the chance to do such tours.”
Charles Chui Pak-hung, Chinachem’s senior officer for corporate communications who served as a volunteer, found the experience rewarding.
“While trying to give, I benefit at the same time. For example, today I’ve learned the sign for some words, like ‘thank you’. It’s very satisfying,” he said.
This was the second year Chinachem had supported OSC in bringing positive impacts to the community, Shek noted.
“OSC aims to drive the spirit of giving. This aligns with our commitment to creating positive value for society,” she said.
“Through OSC, we can connect with smaller and lesser-known non-profits to support different groups of people in need, including children, the youth, the elderly, and those with physical or mental disabilities.”
“This is one of the ways we create positive value for society, realising the group’s vision of creating a more liveable city through its ‘triple bottom line’ approach focused on people, prosperity and the planet.”
For more information on this year’s beneficiaries, please click here