“I was a primary school English teacher for over 38 years. Over the years, I taught at many schools serving the fishing communities of Hong Kong, near the typhoon shelters in Ap Lei Chau, Sai Kung, Sha Tau Kok….My favourite part of the job was to see kids transform over the years and get into good secondary schools. It’s very fulfilling. Some of my students even became famous TV actors! I enjoy writing and languages. Many years ago, I won a prize for my poetry in the US. I started off my career teaching English at a school in Tai O, where I met my late wife. She passed away from colon cancer a few decades ago. We had three young kids at the time, and I was working and studying part time to complete my teacher training. It was a very tough time. Luckily, my parents were around to help me with childcare. My kids are all grown up now and I see them during the holiday seasons for family gatherings. 

After retirement, I moved into the Helping Hand Self Care Home. At first, I did some part time work, like helping out with the hot meals project to distribute meals to our residents and to the community. I then began volunteering, and would go twice a week to the Father Sean Burke Care Home to accompany the more dependent elderly to their medical appointments. I was also elected the Chairman of the committee for the Self Care Home by the residents, and acted as a bridge between the residents and the management team. I got 107 out of 124 votes - I guess they liked the fact that I used to be a teacher! Elderly people can sometimes be rebellious, stubborn and unreasonable - just like kids! But as I learned from my days as both a teacher and discipline master, all it takes is often just a little patience, care and understanding.  

There is a lot of independence at the Self Care Home. About 3 to 4 residents share a flat, and have lunch together during the week. We all get along very well. Every day, I do at least 6000 steps to keep fit. I’m very grateful to be settling down here, and am happy that I can contribute my skills to help out where I can. My diary is usually pretty busy, but I like to stay active. I love to sing, to dance, to travel and to play the Rummikub tile game - which I’m pretty good at. If I had one message for young people, it is to develop a good work ethic, and to be considerate and kind to others!”  

Storytelling by Hong Kong Shifts