EdUHK Simulated High-Speed Train Journey: Promoting Intergenerational Integration by Caring for Seniors with Swallowing Difficulties
The Student Affairs Office (SAO) of The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) in collaboration with Wuyi Association of Hong Kong and The Project Futurus, organised the "Simulation of Greater Bay Area High-Speed Rail x EdUHK" service-learning activity on 11 January. This unique event simulated a high-speed train journey providing dishes from Wuyi in the format of soft meals for seniors with swallowing difficulties who reside at the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Hui Lai Kuen Home for the Elderly in Tai Po.
Mr Lo Hiu-fung, Tai Po District Council Member and EdUHK alumnus, Ms Annabelle Yung Chui-yi, Social Work Officer (Planning & Coordinating), Tai Po & North District Social Welfare Office of the Social Welfare Department, Ms Cathy Chim Ka-sin, Supervisor, Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Hui Lai Kuen Home for the Elderly, Ms Winnie So Wing-yu, Vice President, Wuyi Association of Hong Kong, Ms Queenie Man, Founder and CEO, The Project Futurus, and Ms Rebecca Yue Lok-man, Associate Director of Student Affairs at EdUHK attended the inaugural ceremony of the virtual journey.
At the event, 14 student volunteers from EdUHK joined the journey and helped decorate the residential care home as a high-speed train. They dressed up as rail attendants and chefs to introduce the scenic spots of the five Wuyi stations while serving soft meal lunchboxes, which included Wuyi hometown dim sum such as shrimp dumplings and siu mai, as well as Kaiping stone-steamed rice rolls and Xinhui glutinous rice balls with dried tangerine peel and red bean paste. During the two-hour journey, the 48 seniors enjoyed the food, while student volunteers also took instant photos and sang old songs with them, adding joy and vitality to the event and promoting intergenerational integration.
The seniors enjoyed the journey and, during the de-briefing session, one of the EdUHK student volunteers, Wong, who is in the second year of the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Special Education programme said, “This service-learning activity is innovative and meaningful. It enables elderly people who cannot take the high-speed train in person to experience their hometowns' unique cuisine and beautiful scenery from a renewed perspective.”
The student volunteers reflected on the genuine needs of the elderly in the community through service learning, reminding them of their loved ones, prompting them to take the initiative to visit and care for the elderly around them and to cherish the moment. The event simultaneously helped those with swallowing difficulties to regain the dignity and joy of eating.
SAO will continue collaborating with community groups to foster students’ sense of social responsibility and enrich their service learning and practical experience.
EdUHK Simulated High-Speed Train Journey: Promoting Intergenerational Integration by Caring for Seniors with Swallowing Difficulties
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