Your Smile, My Drive

Irene (2nd from the right in the photo) has been a volunteer for 12 years. Reflecting on her early days, she recalls not knowing how to communicate with people with disabilities. Through continuous learning and exploration, she has become much more skilled. Each time when a new route is discovered, thorough preparations are made. Enthusiastic volunteers first scout the path multiple times, followed by staff conducting on-site assessments with fellow volunteers using electric wheelchairs, ensuring everything is accessible and safe for participants. When she sees participants eagerly attending and returning home with happy smiles, she feels a deep sense of happiness. She hopes to continue her journey with heart and strength, walking alongside others.

Jade (1st on the left in the photo) joined the volunteer service in 2019. She recalls coming across an online advertisement for a wheelchair training class offered by the association, thinking it would be a great opportunity to learn new skills while helping others, so she signed up. This led to her meeting staff member Yoyo and subsequently joining the volunteer service. Each time she goes out with service users for activities, having fun and chatting freely while seeing their smiles gives her a sense of fulfillment. Recently, she has joined a few senior volunteers to inspect activity venues to see if they are suitable for member events. This experience has made her reflect on the lack of accessible venues for people with disabilities in Hong Kong, and she hopes for a future where there is true integration between able-bodied individuals and those with disabilities.