Waihong Services Group volunteers launched a community service in Tai O, fostering urban-rural interaction through ecological tours, cultural experiences, and visits to the elderly, embodying the spirit of corporate responsibility. The team’s first stop was an ecological guided tour of Tai O, led by trained local resident. The guide took participants through the mangrove wetlands, where they observed habitats of fiddler crabs, mudskippers, egrets, etc.

Being one of the hottest picks by tourists, Tai O is a historic fishing village away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Located in the remote area with an ageing population, elderly living in Tai O lack resources and require assistance with their daily lives. Linde Materials Handling Hong Kong Limited volunteer team paid home visits to elderly living in stilt houses in Tai O and spread their love by presenting gift packs.

YWCA has been serving Tai O community for years and organises local tours to promote the area. We received a team of volunteers from Hung Fook Tong last month and guided them to learn about Tai O with first-hand experience.

Summer camp allows participants to make new friends, and learn from myriads of activities. Therefore, it is popular among parents and children. In the past two months, YWCA Sydney Leong Holiday Lodge held 4 camps, receiving more than 200 primary school students. The camps focused on either training participants’ self-care ability, or showing them Lantau Island’s unique nature and culture.

Tai O, located at the western outpost of Lantau Island, attracts tourists with its unique water village. However, due to the poor public transport network of the area, most young people move to the urban areas to make a living, leaving Tai O one of the most aged areas in Hong Kong. YWCA has always encouraged companies and organisations to give back to society through voluntary work. Recently, the Association cooperated with the Chevalier Group to organise "Chevalier Group Community Caring Day@Tai O" and inspire their employees to serve as volunteers.

The fifth day of the fifth lunar month is the Chinese Dragon Boat Festival. Apart from eating sticky rice dumplings, watching dragon boat race is also a tradition. The Dragon Boat Water Parade in Tai O, Lantau Island is a custom that has been inscribed onto the national list of intangible cultural heritage.

After a year of struggle to fight against COVID-19, people start to flock to the countryside to enjoy fresh air and relax. The hiking trail on Fu Shan is famous for its beautiful landscape and nicely preserved path, which make it an attractive option for a family day out. However, the environment has been spoiled by rubbish hikers left behind. To make the trail nice again, YWCA Y Eco Tour Tai O Cultural and Ecological Integrated Resource Centre recruited a few youth volunteers for a clean-up activity.

People had to stay at home during Christmas because of the COVID-19 pandemic. To bring joy to the community, YWCA Y Eco Tour Tai O Cultural and Ecological Integrated Resource Centre launched online day tours during the festive occasion and led people who love to travel to explore Tai O through the online application Zoom.