Voice of the Children Phase III – Kwai Chung
HKSKH Lady MacLehose Centre (HKSKH), our local partner, has launched the “Voice of the Children” project at their Sunshine Neighbourhood Centre in Kwai Chung from September 2022 to May 2024. It aims to empower children to explore the present conditions, issues, and possible solutions regarding community facilities in North Kwai Chung. Children participants collected the opinions of community stakeholders and consolidated their insights with the facilitation of professional collaborators. They then expressed their opinions to District Council members and relevant government departments in the hope of actualising children’s voices in community.
Stage 0 – Before Commencement
HKSKH recruited adult facilitators through collaboration with academic institutions and online platforms. These facilitators then underwent community development training workshops to gain a better understanding of community dynamics and children’s rights. Furthermore, through street booths and telephone inquiries, HKSKH identified age-appropriate children living in inadequate housing to participate in the “Community Magnifying Glass” activity. Suitable children were then recruited to become “Junior Community Officers” as part of the project.
Stage 1 – Community Issue Identification
During the “Kwai Chung Trail” community tour, the Junior Community Officers had the opportunity to explore the Kwai Chung community and gain a deeper understanding of its dynamics. They also participated in group activities to share their observations and life experiences . After fruitful discussions, they identified three pressing community issues that warranted attention. These included the condition and usage of community park facilities, hygiene concerns in the back alleys of old buildings, and pest problems. To raise public awareness of these issues, they shared their observations and suggestions with residents through exhibition and game booths.
Stage 2 – Planning of Community Actions
The Junior Community Officers, along with urban planners, conducted community surveys by visiting various areas. They specifically explored parks and playgrounds that involved children in their planning process. During these visits, they actively collected feedback from community members.
Stage 3 – Implementation of Community Actions
The Junior Community Officers brainstormed and devised an advocacy plan. They met with District Council candidate and Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) representatives. In response to the inclusion of Shek Pai Street Park in the public playground renovation plan in Kwai Chung District, children participants organised a “Community Sports Day” at the park to attract local residents to use its facilities. They also collected opinions from over 150 residents through a survey.
Stage 4 – Programme-end (Evaluation)
The Junior Community Officers organised a press conference cum graduation ceremony to announce the “Ten Community Recreational Facilities Indexes”, with the aim to express their needs and raise public awareness of this important issue. The indexes were divided into four categories, including hygiene, safety facilities, recreational space, and user experience. Certificates were also awarded to children to recognize their participation over the past year.
