Community Spotlight: Nelson Yeung, Fresh Graduate

Curious about what volunteerism and Time Auction events are all about? Meet our community who has shared their memorable experiences in their volunteering journey and meetings with our featured guests!

Meet Nelson Yeung!

Nelson just graduated from The University of Hong Kong, and is deciding whether to continue his studies in the U.S. or taking up a job in the finance field.

Support the “socially invisible” through homeless walks

Nelson began his journey of volunteering from his time at university. He started with a desire to contribute back to his alma matar, so he offered tutor classes to secondary school students. That experience was fulfilling and rewarding, especially when he sees improvement in his tutees over time. Later, he came across ImpactHK through the volunteering platform HandsOn. There, he participated regularly in “kindness walks” in areas such as Yau Ma Tei and Wan Chai. On these walks, a group of volunteers patrol around the neighborhood and distribute food and towels to the homeless.

“Even though Hong Kong may seem prosperous on the surface, there are still many people living in extreme poverty that we are not aware of.”

On these walks, Nelson meets many street sleepers living in extreme poverty. He cited an elderly woman he met in Yau Ma Tei. She was in her eighties and suffered from rashes and bruises. He learnt that although she has many children, none of them supported her and she was “missed” by the social welfare network. She was “off-the-grid”, visible only to Nelson and his group who fortunately discovered her through their walks.

From this encounter, Nelson witnessed a side of society he has never seen before. He becomes much more aware of how fortunate he is to have received all the opportunities to pursue his dreams. He also realizes that having been bestowed with these favorable circumstances in life, he also carries the responsibility to help the less fortunate.

Discover the path to success

Nelson has been actively participating in Time Auction events for almost two years.

“Go for it. Look for opportunities to fly higher and don’t simply wait for fate to knock on your door.”

The life story he heard from Prof. Tony Chan, Former President of HKUST, was most inspiring to him. Although he did not receive flying colors in his A-levels, nor did he perform outstandingly in his entrance exam into Caltech, he still had the courage to step out from his comfort zone. From this experience, he took the lesson that you should fight for opportunities to fly higher instead of waiting idly.

Carpe diem — Live at the moment

“These dots will eventually connect together. Everything you do will eventually weave together to form a wonderful story.”

Nelson remarks that Hong Kong youngsters seem hesitant about joining social service projects, possibly because they are all preoccupied with their own agendas. He encourages his peers to participate in more volunteering activities.

Nelson’s future plan is to secure and establish his position in his career before committing to doing more in social services. He hopes that, over time, he would have gathered enough expertise and power to make a significant change in society. He intends to improve diversity in education and promote freedom for youngsters to pursue their own interests.

Thank you so much to Nelson for contributing 85 volunteer hours and participating in more than 8 of our events!

To see our upcoming experiences, head over to the Time Auction website!

Interviewed & written by Isaac Chang| Edited by Giselle Lee