Once dubbed "City of Sadness" because of the social ills that used to plague the neighbourhood, Tin Shui Wai has become a vibrant new town full of positive energy.
The makeover is thanks to numerous social projects that are creating a family-community network in the new town. One of them is the Sunny Ching Tin Project funded by the Community Investment & Inclusion Fund.
It is a joint effort by two schools, under which they open their campuses to provide after-school care. Since 2008 more than 400 of the district's students have benefited from the project.
Sunny scheme
Pak Kau College and Chiu Yang Por Yen Primary School are neighbours, both opening in the area at about the same time.
Pak Kau College Principal William Wong said: “At the time we moved here [Tin Shui Wai was] kind of unknown. Kind of ‘Nobody's Land'.”
It is this Nobody's Land image educators like Mr Wong are working hard to dispel. However, it is not easy in a town formerly known to some as the City of Sadness.
These two schools launched the Sunny Ching Tin Project in 2008, providing tutoring for children. Two classrooms were used as after-school care centres with secondary students volunteering as tutors to help the younger kids with their homework.
Chiu Yang Por Yen Primary School Principal Lam Pik-chu said: "The tutorial class for children is aimed at relieving the stress of working parents to help families in need."
Positive feedback
Project supervisor Tracy Mak said: "After a few years many of the students who attended the after-school classes came back and became volunteers themselves, helping the primary students. They benefited from the project and wanted to give something back."
Hui Fun-fun is one of the current volunteers and was once a beneficiary of the project.
"The tutors were like my big brothers and sisters, and I thank them for giving up their spare time to help us," Fun-fun said. "I received help in the past and now I want to repay that kindness by helping the kids in the same way."
Bright future
Teachers, students, parents and volunteers recently attended a Christmas party at Chiu Yang Por Yen Primary School, which involved the co-operation of both schools. These parents also volunteer as tutors and helpers for the project, providing a platform for creating a family-community network.
These "Sunny Parents" recently formed a volunteer team to organise activities like visits to seniors. They hope to expand the service to the entire Tin Shui Wai community.
Ms Mak said: "These local residents have changed the energy in Tin Shui Wai through different community projects over the years. Their efforts have gone a long way towards changing people's negative perceptions and Tin Shui Wai is no longer the City of Sadness but an energetic new town full of positive energy."
