Honours Academy Students Bring Traditional Culture to Life through Parent-Child Community Event

The Honours Academy (HA) of The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong (HSUHK), in collaboration with Hong Kong Children and Youth Services, Jockey Club Heng On Integrated Children and Youth Services Centre, successfully organised the parent-child community event “Ancient Wonders Kids Fair” on 27 September 2026. The event brought together children, parents, community partners, and local stakeholders for an afternoon of cultural exploration, creativity, and shared joy.

This project was entirely designed and delivered by 25 HA student leaders across cohorts, and it reflected something we value deeply at HA. When students learn seriously and serve sincerely, their leadership becomes visible in real places, with real people, and real outcomes. This is what we mean by building community footprints.

The event was developed through HA2002: Service Leadership and Public Policy Engagement, a core module at HA. HA2002 is where students learn how to step into the community with humility, listen first, and respond with care. Throughout the semester, students worked closely with the Centre team to understand the needs of children, youth, and parents. They then developed five service initiatives and presented them to the Centre. “Ancient Wonders Kids Fair” was selected for implementation.

What made the day especially meaningful was the level of student ownership. HA students built the experience from the ground up. They designed the game booths, planned the activity flow, prepared materials, set up the venue, led the games on-site, and looked after every participant with patience and energy. Many of the children were trying new things independently. Many of the parents were able to relax and simply enjoy the moment. It was the result of careful design and a lot of behind-the-scenes work by the student team.

Under the theme “Youth-led, Child-centred”, the programme encouraged children to make their own choices and explore at their own pace. With an ancient-style marketplace concept, children completed challenges and collected stamps through hands-on booths such as making maltose biscuits, creating traditional scented sachets, joining a pitching-pot challenge, and enjoying traditional costume photo-taking. Learning about Chinese cultural heritage became something personal and memorable.

At the same time, HA students created a parallel space for parents. Parents were invited to enjoy their own creative time through activities such as DIY scented sachets and a handcrafted lantern workshop. Children and parents each had their own “me time” for the afternoon, with the freedom to experience Chinese culture in their own way. When families came back together, they had more to share. Children were proud of what they completed on their own. Parents had their own stories too. The conversations that followed were part of the learning and the bonding.

HA was honoured to be graced with the presence and support of Hong Kong Foshan Commercial and Industrial Association Ltd., and we sincerely thank the attending Sha Tin District Councillors for encouraging our students and community partners. Their support strengthened the event and affirmed the value of cross-sector collaboration in nurturing young people and supporting families.

Through planning and delivering the programme, HA student leaders gained first-hand experience in community consultation, project design, stakeholder engagement, event operations, and service leadership. More importantly, they left something meaningful behind for the community. That is the kind of leadership HA hopes to grow, one project and one cohort at a time.