Support! International Foundation! is a wholly youth-led education non-government organisation in Hong Kong, registered under Section 88 of the Inland Revenue Department Ordinance. It is dedicated to bringing educational programmes to both secondary and primary students in need, as well community development events to all youths in Hong Kong, Since 2014, the Foundation has expanded to 9 educational sites across Hong Kong and 3 event series held year round, each initiated, led and maintained by secondary school students. The organisation has over a hundred student volunteers and an average annual reach of 1000+. Their mission is to create opportunities and foster connections for individuals from all backgrounds within communities, under the guiding principle and firm belief that young people are tomorrow's leaders.. The current President is Alex Yu, 17, from Singapore International School and the current Chairman is :zh:劉鳴煒|Dr. Lau Ming-wai BBS JP.
History
Support! International Foundation was founded in 2014 by Joseph Wan. Joseph was inspired to start his own non-government organisation because of his father's successful rise from humble beginnings. He told South China Morning Post, "My dad grew up very poor in Hong Kong...His parents could only afford education until secondary school. But my dad really loved learning, and didn’t want to give up so soon. So, he worked hard in factories and construction sites until the age of 23, when he could finally afford just one year at university in the UK. He ventured off to the UK and worked a night job just to get by. Now, he is director of a multinational engineering consultancy. This showed me that education really made a difference, which is why the organisation is so education focused." It was founded under three pillars:
Mutual learning
Support! International Foundation aims to create a mutual learning environment and help each other become better through their programs. It is a pure student teaching students environment.
Youth leadership
Support! International Foundation has a number of young volunteers, from instructor to leadership roles. They believe that it is their responsibility to give back to the community, and that it is important for young people to use opportunities to grow as individuals, as well as members of society.
Communities
Support! International Foundation aims to help out the people of Hong Kong in need, such as children who are disregarded and not given as many opportunities to flourish.
Programmes
The organisation runs classes for both children and adults in sport, debate, oral and written English, interviewing, counselling etc.
Debate & Grow!
The Debate & Grow! program is Support! Hong Kong's inaugural programme. It started operating a debate program at :zh:德愛中學|Tak Oi Secondary School in 2014. The style of debate taught at this site is consistent with the World Schools Style debating format. Students participate in internal debates, discussions and lectures that aim to strengthen their English skills. There are 40 students participating in this program, with 6 instructors teaching on site.
English Fun! Program
The English Fun! Program is hosted at :zh:香港仔工業學校|Aberdeen Technical School, Support! International Foundation's second site in Hong Kong. The students partake in discussions about different social, environmental and youth issues in Hong Kong. Keeping with the goal of helping students improve both spoken and written English skills, the entire program is taught in English. There are 36 students participating in this program with 4 instructors teaching on site.
Learn to Learn! program
The Learn to Learn! program is operated in partnership with The Boys' and Girls' Clubs Association of Hong Kong. It is hosted at the Australian International School and hosts 3 English-related programs for its beneficiaries, who range from upper primary, up to high school students. All three programs centralise on the idea of improving the students’ English, both oral and written, through innovative methods of teaching. Digital learning, drama, and arts & crafts are used to make learning more interesting for the children.
Speak! programme
The Speak! programme is hosted at :zh:閩僑中學|Man Kiu College and is a program focusing on current-events, international relations as well as domestic affairs. Students participate in and contribute to multiple round table discussions. By having talking about and carefully evaluating social issues and current affairs, students will improve their speaking skills and catalyse their English abilities.
English-in-Action programme
The English-in-Action Programme is hosted at the Singapore International School. The programs are run for DHL maintenance and front-line operations staff and their children. There are three programs run there, one for the adults, and two for the children. The adult students participate in a course where they strengthen their oral English skills by using them in real-life situations. The two programs for the kids focus on building their English skills, as well as sports education. The children participate in hands-on and fun activities, to make their learning enjoyable.
Chun Wo English Development! Program
The Chun Wo English Development! Program is hosted at the Chinese International School. It hosts two programs that entail sports and English. The students, who are cleaners, are put through an intensive course where they immerse themselves in a pure, English-speaking environment. The goal, in the end, is to equip these cleaners with the abilities and skills they need to work in the ever-changing, ever-growing world.
Point Me! Program
The Point Me! Program is hosted at the Islamic Kasim Tuet Memorial College. It hosts a mentorship programme for the secondary school’s students. The programme also hosts a Debate & Public Speaking programme for the students, to increase their analytical skills and confidence with public speaking through the dynamic hands-on process of debating.
Annual Youth Leadership Conference
The Annual Youth Leadership Conference is one of Support! International Foundation's core events which challenge students from all background to engage in issues under the strands of social mobility, education and environmental sustainability. In 2016, the theme of the conference was 'Redefining Hong Kong for a Socially Sustainable Future'. In 2017, the theme will be 'Hong Kong Post-2016: Challenging the Present'. The conference brings together over 80 select students who partake in workshops run by the likes of Dr. Lianne Lam. The students are expected to create their own community service initiative, and pitch them to a panel of judges.
