r o F A g C aus n i t i e Wr 2014 Review
A Word From T he Executive Director ‘Writing for a Cause’ is a literacy development program that is very different from the typical rigours of a school’s academic curriculum – it is a sport for the growing mind, enabling children to train their creative writing skills and express their opinions and dreams. ‘Writing for a Cause’ is run by Kids4Kids, a Hong Kongbased charity that aims to develop social awareness and responsibility in children. This is achieved by offering creative platforms for kids to engage with their community and help others. To date, the charity has successfully partnered with over 50 schools, 6 corporate groups and 24 organizations, reaching out to over 5,000 primary and secondary school students. In the seven years since its launch, ‘Writing for a Cause’ has contributed to the development of literacy in Hong Kong by encouraging children aged 6 to 12 to create meaningful and positive stories that empower other kids. It is the only creative writing platform in Hong Kong that publishes its winning entries – as fully illustrated Kids4Kids Books in English, Chinese and pinyin, which are donated to schools and associations and also available for sale at bookstores around Hong Kong, filling the gap in age-appropriate illustrated storybooks. We invite all individuals and schools to join us on this exciting journey of growth and creativity. I hope you enjoy reading this issue of WFAC 2014 In Review, celebrating all those who took part last year.
Danielle Stutterd Executive Director
Contents 01
Foreword
Betty Cheung
02-06
Spotlight On...
Haani Jetha Kenneth Tong Nicole Lam Grace Lam Sonnia Cheung 07-08
Perspective
Stuart Palm 09-11
Photo Gallery
12-14
Kids4Kids Programs
15-17
WFAC 2014 Participants
18-20
Acknowledgements
Foreword
by Betty Cheung
Betty Cheung is an architect, a designer and the creator of ART JAM®. She co-authored the book “the art of artjamming”.
Betty Cheung
After fifteen years of growing artjamming™, I am a firm believer that creativity is a basic life instinct that everyone is born with. It amazes me how many people under-value and under-nurture their own power of imagination, their own ideas and sometimes even try to stifle the unbridled imagination of young people. I have volunteered with Kids4Kids for about a year and am on the Writing for a Cause (WFAC) judging panel. I’m pleased to be part of a team that offers valuable opportunities to young people in their formative years to take on the daunting challenge of writing and illustrating a publication-worthy story. Each story is a culmination of ideas, a conduit of self-discovery and in the end a source of pride and achievement.
Students at ESF experience the joy and effortlessness of creative expression though artjam.
01
Exciting developments at Kids4Kids will mean more resources for kids participating in WFAC. This summer, we’ll see the launch of a series of videos as well as a host of workshops to promote creative writing and illustrating. I hope that with these resources, more kids will be empowered to rise to the challenge of delivering a publishable original story. And this may not only benefit the kids, but may also inspire their teachers and parents. The end game? Storywriting that is meaningful and leaves an indelible mark on its readers. I anticipate with great excitement the outcome of such creative efforts.
Spotlight On... Haani
Jetha, WFAC judge: Haani is 15 and
Overall Winner of Kids4Kids ”Writing for a Cause” Competition in 2009. His artwork has been featured at G.O.D. stores in Hong Kong as part of Kids4Kids’ fundraising project. In recognition of his contribution to charitable causes, philanthropist Meera Gandhi profiled Haani in her book “Giving Back”.
Haani Jetha
Q: How long have you been involved with Writing for a Cause (WFAC)? It all started with writing and illustrating a story for the Kids4Kids Writing for a Cause competition in 2009. Subsequently I went on to assist on the judging panel.
Q: What is your role as a judge? My role is to read entries submitted to WFAC and judge the writing and illustrations according to a set of criteria laid out by Kids4Kids. I view the stories online, and fill in a survey for each story according to the criteria, and also comment on areas for improvements and outstanding features of each story. Q: What tips would you give young writers interested in WFAC 2015? If I had to give one tip to any young writer interested in WFAC 2015, it would be to be creative and exercise your imagination; go outside and explore and be inspired by what’s around you, and then go back and write about it. Q: How do you benefit from being involved in WFAC? By being a judge in WFAC, I get to read wonderful stories and admire the creativity behind the illustrations. I also feel that I benefit psychologically, knowing that someone less privileged will benefit from the proceeds that the books earn. 02
Spotlight On... Kenneth Tong, My Story Workshop facilitator:
Initially trained and worked as a fashion designer, Kenneth now devotes himself full-time to art tutoring. He teaches students with special needs, the elderly and prisoners.
Q: What motivated you to become an artist to help children in need? A: I believe everyone has the right to enjoy life and growth. Art is a universal means of enjoyment Self-portrait by Kenneth Tong regardless of one’s physical and mental state. Participating in art sharing projects gives me the pleasure to work with children in need and witness their development. Q: What do you consider as the most important element in developing a child’s creativity? A: Encouragement and acceptance is the key to nurturing a child’s creativity. To discover a child’s potential in art is a demonstration of how to seek possibilities in life. Q: How do you motivate students to create their own illustrations for Writing for a Cause if they feel inhibited? A: First I build their confidence by starting with drawing something they are familiar with, then asking them questions and letting them answer with pictures. When they get used to this thought process, they will be able to do the illustrations by themselves.
03
Q: What do you think about Kids4Kids’ Writing for a Cause competition? A: The project is absolutely fantastic especially when children know that there is a chance for their stories and drawings to be published in a book. This is very motivating indeed.
Nicole Lam, Overall Winner of ‘Writing for a Cause’ competition 2014 (Open Category): She is currently studying in Marymount Secondary School.
Q: Why did you join this competition? A: In my leisure time I enjoy drawing, so I thought it would nice to share with others through creativity. Nicole’s winning story, “Days Without Q: What have you gained from the overall experience? A: It made me think more about everything around me because Technology Products” I need to get inspiration for the story. I also needed to ask for advice from my family and it led to some really good interaction.
Q: Where did the inspiration for your story come from? A: Teenagers these days always use tech products, so I wanted to write a story about how we could still live happily even if we didn’t have these products. Q: What was the most challenging aspect of the process? A: I think the most challenging thing was designing the characters’ images and names, because I think this is crucial to the whole story.
04
Spotlight On... Q: How do you feel about being a winner? Will you continue to write stories in the future? A: I am honoured to be given this award, but unfortunately, I am already 17 and will be over the age limit for the competition next year. But I will do similar things again when the chance comes. I like writing and drawing about my feelings.
Grace Lam is the mother of Nicole Lam, the Overall Winner of ‘Writing for a Cause’ competition 2014 (Open Category).
Q: What did you observe were some of the difficulties your child experienced during the competition? A: I think time management was really difficult for her. She is now in S5, and she has a lot of homework. She had to manage her time between homework and the competition so she could finish her entry before the deadline. Q: What do you think your child has gained from writing and illustrating? A: I think Nicole has gained confidence. Our family has also become more supportive to each other, which is a really wonderful side benefit.
Grace Lam with her daughter Nicole
05
Sonnia Cheung is an English teacher in Lok Sin Tong Leung Wong Wai Fong Memorial School.
Q: In what way did the WFAC competition help your students? A: Every year my school organises a ‘Writing Day’ in preparation for the WFAC competition. This is a very good chance for students to think critically and creatively. Students know that if they do well they have a chance to get their works published. Q: Will you recommend WFAC to other schools and why? A: Definitely. It is a very good opportunity for students to widen their horizon and learn something that cannot be taught in school.
Sonnia Cheung
Q: Are extra-curricular activities good for students? How can the school help their students develop their creativity and write their own stories? A: Extra-curricular activities like WFAC are a good way to learn. As I mentioned earlier, our school holds a ‘Writing Day’, which includes several parts: before the actual ‘writing day’, we recommend books for the students to read. On the day itself, we have workshops that show students how to come up with interesting story ideas and scenarios. Afterwards, the students will split into groups consisting of both senior and junior students. In each group there is at least one experienced student who has competed in WFAC in the past. This is our strategy to help younger students write and draw good stories.
06
Perspective
by Stuart Palm
Stuart Palm works as a hypnotist, performer, public speaker, teacher and illustrator. His shows are an exploration of the unconscious mind and the secret mysteries of human belief and our universe. Originally from the United States, Stuart now lives in Hong Kong with his wife and son.
The Magic Of Storytelling Imagine if you will, you are in a dark and dusty library. You are perusing leather-bound books, and as you slowly sift through the old tomes you come to a thickly bound volume with an image of an owl moulded into the binding, and a title in Latin that you can’t quite make out. Try as you might you can’t seem to remove it from the shelf. You give up on this mysterious old book and move on to some early editions of scientific volumes, but that book keeps gnawing at you. Finally you give in to yourself and determines to remove the book with the owl. You pull it with all your might and it moves, just a few centimetres, then you give one more hearty tug, and “click” – there is a little sound of a brass clasp being released, followed by the cool, musty smell of a cellar. Suddenly the book starts to pull itself out of your hand. “Wait, that can’t be...” you think. You realise that actually the whole shelf is swinging open…. In this story, you have to create the ending for yourself. If you are excited to live in that place of wonder and mystery, congratulations! It is this ability we all have that allows us to
07
be creative, to come up with new ideas, to dream. If this unfinished story disappoints you, if you want to know what happens next, just read the passage to a child and ask them to end it for you. Enjoy their imagination and ability to effortlessly dive into that place and create an imaginary world. At the center of all dreaming and creating is story-telling. It is through story-telling that we learn, and not just the obvious moral or life lesson of a fable. Through story-telling, metaphors that can help and heal an individual are created. Our unconscious minds are always listening. Many people are not familiar with their own unconscious mind. It is the part that grows your hair and controls your heartbeat, but it is also the part that dreams. It lies at the bottom of that stairwell. Go there and give yourself permission to enjoy it. It is in these places of mystery that we find our true selves. It is in these places that we fight dragons and are saved by angels. Go there to know yourself and you will find true perspective.
Stuart casts a hypnotic spell on a crowd at Canadian International School
08
Photo Gallery Writing for a Cause (WFAC) is open to the public and all primary schools. Children create their stories in Chinese or English with illustrations, and the best stories are printed and published by Kids4Kids. Proceeds from the sales of these books go towards literacy development programs that benefit low-income families. Here are some snapshots from our writing workshops and the Award Ceremony of WFAC 2014.
Above: Four local schools received My Story Kits donated by Lane Crawford. Top left: A student from SKH Wei Lun Primary School enjoying My Story Workshop conducted by Kids4Kids. Bottom left: Students from C.C.C. Heep Woh Primary School having a go at creating stories during a My Story Workshop.
09
Top: Happy participants and judges of WFAC 2014 at the Award Ceremony held in March. Bottom Left: Before the Award Ceremony, students received a Heritage Tour of the Asia Society grounds to explore the history of Hong Kong. Bottom Right: Winners from Lok Sin Tong Leung Kau Kui Primary School, one of nine schools that participated in WFAC 2014, received awards from core judge Ms Pia Wong.
10
Photo Gallery
Above: Ms Martha Keswick presented awards to the winners from Delia School of Canada. Top Right: Pak Yin Chan (right) and Kei Tung Po (left), who wrote and illustrated ‘Good Thief’ in Kids4Kids Treasury Volume 4. Middle RIght: Wong Ching Yi, Overall Winner from Lok Sin Tong Leung Wong Wai Fong Primary School, being interviewed by Kids4Kids junior reporter Bonnie Lee. Bottom Right: Winners from Chinese International School received awards from core judge Ms Mio Debnam.
11
Kids4Kids Programs Alongside Writing for a Cause, Kids4Kids runs a year-long children literacy program called Buddy Reading. Kids4Kids is also keen to empower young people to be leaders through positive actions, with programs such as the Powered by Youth forum and Act!on for a Cause.
Act!on for a Cause Supported by Walt Disney (Asia Pacific) which helped bring this program to launch last Feb, the program includes a video challenge and a project challenge, through which young participants come up with ideas and actions to serve the children of low-income families in Hong Kong.
Top Left: Brainstorming ways to help the community. Bottom Left: Kids4Kids volunteers sorting items for our city-wide collection and donation campaign – one of the programs under Act!on for a Cause.
12
Kids4Kids Programs
Buddy Reading Program Volunteers regularly reach out to community centres and local schools to read aloud stories to children of low-income families, helping them learn English through lively storytelling.
Top: Duncan, one of our volunteer leaders, reading to his buddy at the Methodist Centre in Wanchai. Bottom: Kids fully enjoying a story read by Stella and her daughter Cynthia. 13
Powered by Youth Every year, over one hundred secondary students from local and international schools come together in a Forum to learn from each other and brainstorm ideas that help make a positive difference in the community.
Above: Young leaders presenting their ideas at a Powered by Youth Forum. Left: Powered by Youth Forum 2013, held at Canadian International School HK.
14
W FAC 2014 Participants The Open Category Finalists Ho Ming Chan Tsun Hei Ethan Cheng Euwan Cheung Arwen Godingen Lorenzo Godingen Joshya Gupta Wing Yin Hau Nadia Hemnani Edward James Ho Kevin Andrew Ho Eugenia Kam Lorenzo Kam Hoi Ching Rachel Kwan Ching Wun Nicole Lam Jayla Lee Cho Kiu Leung Ezra Ng Huen Kiu Ng Chloe Pan Tyson Pan Dillon Pang Mark Pang Wing Yeung Vanessa Pun Shraddha Rajesh Pui Nga Annelise Wong Sean Wong Wynn Wong
15
The Open Category Participants Louis Chan Donica Chen Harmony Cheung Megan Ching Tsz Hei Ronald Chung Anoushka Hemnani Chak Yin Sam Ho Chris Hui Elizabeth Jen Jasmine Lam Cheuk Ying Lam Tsz Yau Lam Liger Lam Hanson Lee Simon Lee Jessie Leung Muji Leung Quenifer Lung Declan Ng Lucius Ng Alpha Ngai Michelle Ngai Siu Chuen Sam Cheuk Yiu Nigel Sham Webber Tse Annabella Chun Wong Cayden Wong Louise Yan
Yue Seng Ellisha Yao Matthew Yau Tin Hang Luther Yip Pui Yin Craig Yu Lok Yiu Vera Yuen C.C.C. Heep Woh Primary School Yue Shan Lam Ryan Hin Sing Lee Chung Yan Li Ho Ying Mak Chung Yan Shum Tin Yeung Tsoi Sze Ching Wong Sophia Yu Sze Wu Wing Yeung Kei Yan Yu Hau Yin Tse Chinese International School Brittany Au Charlize Bates-Prew Ruby Capone Charlize Chung Ava Dubow Chloe Ewer
Jasmine Eyre Celine Fong Katrina Hsieh Ingrid Hsu Theresa Hu Ning Jing Huang Sylvie Keswick Alysha Lai Christine Lam Katherine Law Rachel Leung Jenny Li Catriona McCoig Petrina Ong Miu Pan Mia Pao Gabriel Poon Andrea Raftell Ella Sarkis Livia Sarkis Christina Seigrist Alicia Shen Eryn Su Natalie Sun Leandra Sze Alicia Tang Tallulah Thompson Emma Tse Tanya Wan Cassie Wang Chloe Wong Allyson Xu
Delia School of Canada Adarsh Ayushman Kushaj Dwivedi Ravnit Kaur Gabriela Pascual Pla Kartik Rao Raghav Shukla Wonhyung Suh Molly Cara Wallace Amrita Panda Swoyam Panda Angelina Wendy Helmore Omm Mishra Kusumita Ganhotra Abhilasha Dwivedi Manishansh Shaswat Hong Kong International School Jack Archer Kerri Argetsinger Oliver Broegger Aria Campbell Somen Chakrabortti Kaia Chinappi Ina Cho Elizabeth Chou Ronli Yuet Chow Aliyah He Chiara Jeong
Kristy King Kiefer Ko Vikram Krishna Lana LaBelle Suin Lee Raymond Lee Josephine Lee Zi Qi Liow Claire Liu Hayden Ma Elanna Mak Jocelyn Martielli Jonathan Ngai Sarah Park Laura Park Chloe Pouillart Elizabeth Rekate Mia Tagliere Hope Tan Luella Rose Soranson Way Elizabeth Won George Xu Amy Zou George Lim
16
W FAC 2014 Participants Lok Sin Tong Lau Tak Primary School Chui Chi Tina Lai Ka Yiu Zoey Li Long Hin Luk Long Yat Luk Hiu Lee Ng Wai Sum Sin Hoi Man Tang Wai Nok Joseph To Xin Xin Wong Lok Sin Tong Leung Kau Kui Primary School Pak Yin Chan Yat Long Chan Yan Chu Daniel Tze Hin Fife Thomas Tze Hei Fife Ying Sum Lau Siu Man Lui Janice Bo Ki Or Kei Tung Po Wa Yung Siu Yi Yeung Lok Sin Tong Leung Wong Wai Fong Memorial School Wai Kit Chan Yan Hei Choi 17
Siu Wai Chu Wai Shan Fung Yangjie He Po Yee Huang Po Yi Hung Chi Kit Lai Tsz Yan Lam Hung Sze Law Ka Yi Ng Wing Chi Sze Wing Laam Chiang Cheuk Yin Tam Siu Fai Tang Ching Yi Wong Wing Yee Wu Hoi Tung Wu Ka Wai Cheung Renaissance College Hong Kong Jacie Wing Yu Chan Jesslyn Wing Tung Chan Desmond Chi Hang Cheng Alys Cheung Anika Chun Yu Cheung Emily Sze Yung Chung Sze Chai Chung Amie Wing Yan Fu James Guo Ted Yik Hei Ho Hohei Lam Cheryl Mei Wai Hong
Heer Hemal Jhaveri Audrey Wan Sum Lau Lok Sum Lau Torek Law Kaitlyn Sze Ting Leung Grace Tsz Kiu Li Andrea Pui Shan Lo Marjorie Yik Sze Ngai Maximilian Owen-Wong Neil Patwa Clara Aureila Rowbottom Erin Tan Sasha Tsz Chee Tan Yuen Ching Tong Abbie Wong Kristy Hoi Ling Wong Charlie Cheuk Kiu Yeung Emma Yeung Julian Man Kiu Yuen Eugenia Tong Naomi Tong Audrey Tsz Ying Yip Shevaun Tsz Yan Yip Jayden Hui Kiu Yuen
SKH Wei Lun Primary School Nick Lik Hin Hung Yat Hang Nicholas Leung Tian He Li Sum Yuen Amber Yu Ryan Jay Moreno
Acknowledgements We wish to thank the following companies and individuals who have supported 2014 2008: Kids4Kids Books and ‘Writing for a Cause’ since
WFAC Patron Sponsors Direct Printing Jones Day OpenClass Paperhouse Creations
Donations of HK$50,000 or more China Resources Enterprises Lane Crawford
18
Acknowledgements Supporting Sponsors
Kids4Kids Book Printing Sponsors
Companies and individuals who have supported Kids4Kids ‘Writing for a Cause’ for one year or more: artjamming Bookazine Green Paper Power Limited Huzi Design Mustard Seed Creative Noiseless Design Pacific Coffee Company Pollux Books SC Storage The Commercial Press (HK) Ltd. The Document House
Companies and individuals who have supported Kids4Kids ‘Writing for a Cause’ in book publishing: Mr. Asit Shah Miss Crystal Lui and Miss Alissa Lui Mrs. Diane Meehan HKBN IBM Ms. Jennifer Meehan Mr. John Lewis Mabros Mrs. Patti Ho Ms. Sharon Lim WFAC Judging Committee
Companies who have supported Kids4Kids ‘Writing for a Cause’ Celebrating Kids who Make a Difference: artjamming Asia Society Hong Kong Centre Bookazine Hong Kong Disneyland Kids Dailies Sim’s Sweetshop The Commercial Press
19
Individuals who have served on the judging committee of Kids4Kids ‘Writing for a Cause’ for one year or more since 2009: Alexandra Leung Amelia Chen Andrew Lui Ann Bridgewater Annie Ho Ting Benjamin Lau Benson Lo Betty Cheung Cameron Su Dania Shawwa Abuali Derek Kwik
Emma Fordham Haani Jetha Hau Kwei Wong Ho Siu Shu Jacqueline Brownhill Joan Szeto Joanna Hotung Jocelyn Kwan Kady Fung Kai Man Pong Katherine Kwok Keith Pong Liz Avern-Briers Mang Ho Kwok Margaret Leung Marlon Ng Martha Keswick Melissa Megan Michelle Liu Mio Debnam Natalie Yang Nury Vittachi Pearl Tong Pia Wong Ruth Benny Sean McMinn Sharon Kwok Sherry Lu Sherry Yeung Stephanie Martin Tania Willis Vivian Ching
Volunteers We are grateful for having had student interns from the following universities in Hong Kong: City University of Hong Kong Hong Kong Baptist University The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology The University of Hong Kong ‘Writing for a Cause’ 2014 Planning Committee We would like to express gratitude to the following individuals who have been the core team involved in the program planning of the annual Kids4Kids ‘Writing for a Cause’ competition: Ms. Danielle Stutterd Ms. June Cheng Mrs. Michele Lai Ms. Pearl Tong Ms. Sherry Lu
20
Writing For A Cause 2014 Review Editor: Pearl Tong Design and Layout: Christine Chow Editorial Content Coordinator: Sharon Keung