Delivering Expertise to Rural Villages
From 13 to 16 May 2026, a delegation comprising the following members of the PolyU Foundation travelled to Malipo, Yunnan, to join our students on this meaningful Service-Learning journey.
Dr Laura Lo – Associate Vice President (Institutional Advancement) of PolyU and Secretary General of the PolyU Foundation
Mr Richard Sun – Convenor, Service-Learning Fundraising Working Group of PolyU
Ms Jennifer Tan – Member, Service-Learning Fundraising Working Group of PolyU
Mr Jason Choi – Director of Sunwah Group and President of Sunwah GBA
Ms Joyce Li – Representative of Liu Hao Tsing Education Foundation Limited
Ms Kimberly Chak – Supervisor, Project Development, UCESR Foundation
Dr Marco Liu – President, The Association of Hong Kong Yunnan Fellow Provincials
Ms Maggie Qian – Vice President, The Association of Hong Kong Yunnan Fellow Provincials
Exploring Kunming
First stop: Kunming! Upon arrival, the team immediately met with representatives from the Foreign Affairs Office of Yunnan Province and the Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese. Through these official exchanges, the team gained a deeper understanding of local development needs, building a vital bridge for our upcoming Service-Learning project in Malipo.
Venturing Deep into the Borderlands
The delegation travelled by high-speed rail to Puzhehei, before continuing by coach to Malipo, drawing closer not only to the nation’s borderlands, but also to the lived reality of service learning. In the afternoon, members of the PolyU Foundation visited the Service-Learning project of the Department of Chinese History and Culture and gained first-hand insight into the environment in which our students serve.
Through the heartfelt sharing of teachers and students, the team was deeply moved by their commitment to “changing lives through lives”, bringing care, hope, and companionship to those in need. This sincere spirit of service not only touches the communities they serve, but also reflects the deeper purpose of education: to nurture empathy, responsibility, and leadership. It is this very spirit that lies at the heart of PolyU’s mission to develop professionals and leaders with compassion and purpose.
Spanning Primary and Vocational Secondary Education
This was one of the most fulfilling days of the journey. In the morning, the team visited Panlong Primary School and the Vocational High School to learn how students are serving local communities through Service-Learning projects. The team was especially moved by an optometry teacher’s story: as a university student, he once saw a young student put on a pair of glasses and smile with surprise and joy at finally being able to see clearly. That moment inspired him to pursue further studies and remain committed to helping others through Service-Learning.
Students from the School of Nursing also taught local students about the importance of nutrition and hygiene, bringing health education into the classroom.
In the afternoon, the team travelled to Xichou County to observe a Service-Learning project led by the School of Fashion and Textiles. Watching local residents walk down the runway in innovative designs, hand in hand with elderly participants, was heartwarming and memorable. It was inspiring to see students apply their knowledge and skills to give back to society.
Afterwards, the team visited SunwahPu'er Tea to sample different teas and learn more about the local tea culture, bringing a meaningful day to a perfect close.
Summary of Success
On the fourth day, our journey drew to a close. That morning, the students held a reflection and appreciation ceremony, marking the conclusion of a deeply meaningful experience. Through reflection and sharing, the team gained a deeper appreciation that Service-Learning is not only the application of knowledge in practice, but also a process of engaging with communities and connecting with people in meaningful ways.
In planning and delivering the service activities, the students carefully considered the actual circumstances and needs of local residents and schoolchildren, ensuring that each initiative was relevant, appropriate, and capable of making a tangible contribution to the community. Some of these projects have been sustained over the past three years, with ongoing review, refinement, and enhancement through annual implementation. In this way, classroom learning has been translated into concrete action that responds to genuine social needs.
Equally inspiring were the sincere and meaningful connections forged between the students and the local elderly residents and children. The villagers’ warm hospitality and heartfelt responses greatly encouraged the team and further reinforced their belief in the value and impact of this work. Many expressed their support for the Service-Learning initiatives and their hope that this spirit of care and companionship will continue, extending its positive impact to even more communities.
