KEEP EXPLORING
MEI HO HOUSE YOUTH AMBASSADOR PROGRAMME 2019

The “Keep Exploring–Mei Ho House Youth Ambassador Programme 2019” was successfully conducted from Jul to Aug! Over the past few weeks, the participants have deepened their understanding of the community through observation from different perspectives and from a diversified learning experience. Firstly, from the guided tour of Heritage of Mei Ho House, participants were introduced to the history of Mei Ho House, the change of public housing environment and the lifestyle of residents. Additionally, we also joined guided tours of 4 different revitalised historic buildings (SCAD Hong Kong, the Blue House Cluster, Tai Kwun and the Jockey Club Creative Arts Centre) to learn about their history and the process of revitalisation. Through the tours, the participants have a more in-depth knowledge about the significant historical changes associated with the buildings and the related heritage conservation work. The workshop has also added to their understanding of the concept of heritage conservation. Moreover, two guided tours led by the Kaifong Tour and Christian Concern for the Homeless Association let the students know more about the culture, history and life of residents and homeless people in Sham Shui Po. Together with the guided tour of the Wan Chai community, the tours of two different areas can assist the students to initiate conversation with the community.

Apart from exploring various perspectives of Sham Shui Po, participants also learnt to use artistic ways to express how they thought about the community. When they stayed in YHA Mei Ho House Youth Hostel for 2 days 1 night, a photographer, Mr Tai Ngai-lung, held a photographic workshop in a lively and interactive way. Students studied more about the basic technique of taking photos as well as photo retouching. Afterwards, they went out into the streets to try to take photos with a theme in mind. They discovered different angles of Sham Shui Po and shared their work with each other. At night, Mr Jordan Wong Chun led a night tour for students to gain a better understanding of small shops and the textile industry – both are lesser-known aspects of Sham Shui Po – by observing the iron gates of shops. On the second day, they tried to use different kinds of body movement to do a simple drama performance. They acted their own stories and carried out sincere and touching dramas. Afterwards, participants learnt about using objects from daily life to create art installations showing how they saw Sham Shui Po in their own minds. These activities enabled them to further their understanding of the possibilities of communicating with the local community.

Several workshops were also arranged to teach students to use various methods of creation to show how they feel about this place. It included the writing workshop instructed by Ms Chio Hio-tong. Participants examined using “community” as the theme for their creative writing and tried to express their thinking through the written word. In addition, they also attempted to utilise the material on hand and their own creativity to communicate how they feel about Sham Shui Po. Under the instruction of different artists, Wahayeah Sketch Group, dotdotdot studio and Mr Wong Tin-yan (founder of Form Society), participants created their works by sketching, risograph printing and woodworking. Through multiple visual artworks, diversified sides of the local community can be reflected. In the “city sketching” workshop, participants went onto the street and searched for a unique angle to depict Sham Shui Po in their eyes. Then, in the risograph printing workshop, they made use of a large variety of material to create collages, and finally created their unique two-tone prints. They also found some groceries from the small shops and street stores in the district when they were working on the woodworking workshop, and then they modified and decorated them. Students successfully challenged their boundaries of artistic creation and gave new meaning to the traditional use of an object.

In the last part of the programme, participants learned how to develop and curate an exhibition. They all enjoyed the process of preparation very much. Their final products were exhibited at the Form Society premises. Thanks to all the cooperating units and all participants!