Vincent Cheng
MBBS, Year 5
Participant of Bring Warmth and Care to Senior Residents in Care Homes on 28 Mar 2026
“Visiting the elderly care home and participating in street outreach was a truly meaningful experience. While playing games and engaging in conversations may seem like simple acts, they can mean a great deal to elderly individuals with limited mobility. Our presence helps them stay connected to the outside world and brings relief from the otherwise monotonous routines of life in care homes.
Through this experience, I also observed the challenges faced by physically frail elderly individuals. As a medical student, I am reminded that medicine is not solely about pathology; it is equally about empathy—helping patients live with dignity and maintain a good quality of life.”

Chong Tsz Ho
BSc&LLB, Year 2
Participant of HOPE In Action: Ping Shan Heritage Trail Cultural Outing with Ethnic Minority Individuals and Families on 15 Mar 2026
“Participating in this event was an incredibly rewarding experience. It allowed me to gain a much deeper understanding of Hong Kong’s ethnic minority communities. Prior to this, I had the impression that most ethnic minorities here were from Southeast Asia, but I was pleasantly surprised to meet participants of Russian ethnicity as well.
The event also enhanced my appreciation for Chinese culture, particularly its rich history, symbolism, and the principles of Feng Shui reflected in the heritage and architectural sites we visited. Overall, this experience significantly broadened my cultural awareness and fostered meaningful interactions across the diverse communities that call Hong Kong home.”

Evita Yulisetiani
MBA, Year 1
Participant of Bring Warmth and Care to Senior Residents in Care Homes (Session 3) on 28 Feb 2026
“Through the elderly service, I was able to meet the senior citizens who have lived full lives and are still full of energy despite of their physical conditions and mobility problems. This experience made me reflect on resilience, dignity, and appreciate Hong Kong not only for its speed, but for the strength and spirit of its people.”

Chau Wan Ching
LLB, Year 1
Participant of Celebrate Lunar New Year with Residents of Ping Shek Estate on 7 Feb 2026
“Participating in this event truly opened my eyes to the strong sense of connection and mutual support within the community. The most meaningful moment for me was mingling with the families at my table and listening to their fascinating stories about the estate and its neighbourhood. This experience has inspired me to become more involved in community service so as to give back and contribute positively to those around me.”

Wen Sum Yee
BEng(CompSc), Year 1
Participant of Celebrate Lunar New Year with Elderly on 31 Jan 2026
“This was my first Serve 2Gather activity and it turned out to be a truly meaningful learning experience. I learned a great deal about communicating with older adults, such as speaking gently and at a comfortable pace, showing care by asking about their daily lives, and listening patiently to their stories. This experience has strengthened my sense of empathy and deepened my understanding of inter-generational connection. This activity was both heartwarming and eyeopening. I look forward to participating in more volunteer opportunities to serve and engage with the community.”

Numrah Kosar
BSc, Year 3
Participant of Bring Warmth and Care to Senior Residents in Care Homes on 24 Jan 2026
“Initially, I felt quite anxious because my limited Cantonese created a language barrier between me and the elderly participants. But when I handed out gifts and saw their genuine smiles, I realized that actions truly speak louder than words. Even without perfect communication, simple gestures allowed me to show care and build meaningful connections. This visit also deepened my understanding of aging and illness. While there were many joyful moments, I also noticed the quiet struggles some elderly face. It reminded me of the importance of compassion, patience, and giving back to our community.”

Iman Khan
BSc, Year 3
Participant of HOPE In Action: Outing with Ethnic Minority Families on 18 Jan 2026 
“It was a wonderful bonding experience not only for the families, but also for us as volunteers. This community service event strengthened my sense of patience and adaptability. Managing a group in a live setting and in such a large open space required constant vigilance to ensure everyone’s safety, while still maintaining a warm and welcoming environment. The Serve 2Gather event inspired me to become more involved in community work. Being surrounded by others and seeing the smiles on the families’ faces motivated me to give back more to society and continue contributing to meaningful community initiatives.”

Chow Yan Hei Jessica
BNurs, Year 1
Participant of Bring Warmth and Care to Senior Residents in Care Homes
“Serving the elderly taught me the importance of speaking slowly and using expressive gestures to capture their attention. I also learned to stay flexible and open-minded, as participants have different abilities and strengths—so we adjusted the activities to suit everyone. Later, when we distributed gift packs to street cleaners, it was a small act of kindness, but seeing their smiles truly warmed my heart. I’m grateful to CEDARS for providing such a meaningful opportunity, and I look forward to serving the community again in the future!”

Chen Yingxuan
MA, Year 1
Participant of Bring Warmth and Care to Senior Residents in Care Homes
“Seeing the elderly light up with joy was truly heartwarming. We have the privilege to support those who deserve more attention from society, and never underestimate our power of treating everyone with respect and kindness. Let’s help make the world better by working together to help others.“

Yiu Sheung Lam 
BSc&LLB, Year 2 
Voluntary leader of Winter Kit Delivery on 10 and 11 Nov 2025 
“I was really touched by the stories the elderly shared with us during our visit. I can truly feel that I understand more about the community, such as the inabilities and difficulties faced by elderly living alone and their living environment. These are all that cannot be learnt, but really experience by ourselves to understand.” 

Najwa Aziah 
BEng(BME), Year 1 
Participant of Home Visits to Ethnic Minority Families on 15 Nov 2025 
“Participating in the Serve 2Gather volunteering activity was an enriching learning experience that deepened my understanding of community engagement and the powerful impact of small actions within a community. It taught me how essential qualities like empathy, patience, and active listening are when interacting with others and serving them meaningfully. I also gained valuable insights into teamwork and coordination. Observing how the organisers ensured a positive experience for every participant opened my eyes to the tremendous effort and planning that go into organizing community activities.” 

Ivan Chok 
BEcon&Fin, Year 2 
Participant of Home Visits to Subdivided Flat Residents on 9 Nov 2025 
“As an international student, I was aware of Hong Kong’s high living costs and income disparity, but witnessing it firsthand and speaking with those affected was truly eye-opening. Each household faced unique challenges and circumstances, which made me realize they were far more than just statistics.”