Hostel tenants show volunteer spirit

April 28, 2024

Giving generously:

Youth Oasis tenants participating in the hostel’s volunteering scheme distribute gifts to excited kindergarten students.

Learning experience:

Tenant Wong Ka-hei (second left) participates in a free hand drip coffee workshop organised by the Youth Oasis.

Net gains:

The Youth Oasis has sports facilities on-site, encouraging tenants to try out a variety of sports and games and enhance their interpersonal networks.

Caring citizens:

Kendith Cheung believes volunteering can nurture empathy among tenants and instil a spirit of contributing to society.

Pleasant accommodation:

The units at the Youth Oasis include both single and double rooms, ranging in size from approximately 179 to 240 sq ft.

Ample amenities:

The communal areas in the hostel are equipped with cooking facilities for the convenience of tenants.

Download Video| Transcript

Voiceover:
These young people are volunteers at a kindergarten in Yuen Long. 

Besides distributing gifts and taking photos with the children, they divide them into groups to play games. 

All of the volunteers are tenants of the Po Leung Kuk Lee Shau Kee Youth Oasis. They participate in volunteering activities in their spare time to contribute to the community.

Children:
Thank you for coming.

Voiceover:
The Youth Oasis is a youth hostel located on Tai Shu Ha Road West, Yuen Long. 

The hostel’s construction costs were fully subsidised by the Government, and the Po Leung Kuk is responsible for its operation. 

The Youth Oasis provides about 1,680 places for young people aged 18 to 30 who are in employment.

In addition to providing a roof over their heads, it also facilitates various volunteering activities. Tenant Wong Ka-hei has been living here for nearly a year and has already participated in seven such activities.

Tenant Wong Ka-hei (Translation): 
The staff of the hostel will contact us and ask if we want to volunteer. I have painted with some elderly friends who have mobility difficulties. 

It seems simple, but for some elderly people these activities can be challenging. The most memorable experience was when an elderly lady's hands kept shaking; but with encouragement from several volunteers, we managed to complete a painting together. It was very rewarding, and I really enjoy this feeling.

Po Leung Kuk Lee Shau Kee Youth Oasis Service Manager Kendith Cheung:
We established the Youth Oasis, mainly (because we wanted) to fulfil the youths (who are) looking for their own private space.  

Through this programme, we would like to nurture and enhance their skills and also to foster the youth to have empathy, making a positive impact on society. 

Voiceover:
Units in the Youth Oasis are divided into single and double rooms. These range in size from approximately 179 to 240 sq ft, and each room comes with facilities including a private bathroom and bedding. The monthly rent ranges from $2,950 to $4,200, which is half the market rate. 

There is an income cap for applicants, and tenants can stay for a maximum of five years. The hostel also provides shared spaces such as laundry rooms. It started leasing in March last year, and tenants started moving in gradually from May.

Po Leung Kuk Lee Shau Kee Youth Oasis Service Manager Kendith Cheung: 
Since its launch, the Po Leung Kuk (has) received a strong response, with approximately 3,000 applications, greatly exceeding the 1,680 spaces available, with a current occupancy rate of nearly 90%. 

The Youth Oasis offers a range of amenities and facilities to the tenants, just like the library (and) the multi-purpose function room. They can enjoy sports in here, like snooker and ping-pong, and also we have facilities for barbecuing, (allowing) them to enjoy (time)  together with their friends and relatives. 

Tenant Wong Ka-hei (Translation): 
The activities here are diverse, including sports, art, cooking, music, dance, and more. It is a place where you can make friends and relax.

Po Leung Kuk Lee Shau Kee Youth Oasis is one of the projects under the government’s Youth Hostel Scheme, an initiative that focuses on addressing youth accommodation challenges. The Youth Oasis not only gives its young tenants a roof over their heads, however; it also promotes community engagement through involving them in a variety of volunteering activities.

Cosy nest

Having been developed with comprehensive governmental support, the hostel – located on Tai Shu Ha Road West in Yuen Long – is operated by the Po Leung Kuk.

Providing about 1,680 places for employed individuals between the ages of 18 and 30, its accommodation includes both single and double rooms, all equipped with a private bathroom. Shared facilities, such as laundry spaces, kitchens and a basketball court help to create a communal living experience.

Monthly rents at the Youth Oasis range from $2,950 to $4,200, offering affordability comparable to half of the market rates. Applications are subject to an income cap and residents can stay for a maximum of five years. The hostel commenced leasing in March last year, with tenants moving in gradually from May onwards.

Personal growth

As a community-focused project, the Youth Oasis is set up to support the personal and social development of its inhabitants.

Tenant Wong Ka-hei’s experience underscores the profound connections he and others have established through volunteer work, in particular with elderly individuals facing mobility challenges.

Wong recounted an instance where collective encouragement resulted in an elderly lady overcoming tremors to complete a collaborative artwork, illustrating the power of empathy and co-operation.

In a similarly heart-warming vein, a group of Youth Oasis residents recently participated in activities at a kindergarten in Yuen Long, where their interactions helped to spread joy and foster inclusion.

Kendith Cheung, Service Manager at Po Leung Kuk Lee Shau Kee Youth Oasis, reiterated the initiative’s primary objective of providing a nurturing environment for young people to flourish personally and contribute positively to society.

Describing the diverse amenities available to tenants, including library resources and games facilities such as snooker and ping-pong tables, Cheung highlighted the hostel's commitment to fostering a sense of community and catering to varied interests.

For his part, Ka-hei affirmed that the range of recreations available to tenants, from sports and art activities to cooking and music, make the Youth Oasis a hub for unwinding and building meaningful friendships.