Connect Ambassador for Community Engagement (Connect ACE)
Most people think of volunteering as charitable work, something they do to help the underprivileged, the "less fortunate ones".
That is a common misconception about volunteering. I believe volunteering is an opportunity to foster mutual understanding. Participating in volunteer services could build one’s awareness and care towards the wider society. We should not care solely about enhancing our quality of life, but instead, we should contribute to improving the well-being of the society.
NG Yi Hang, Erica
SBM, Year 2
We attended a number of workshops to learn how to plan a service project.
The coordinators taught us how to set clear and attainable goals and plan effective activities to fulfill the objectives. It provided us with the opportunity to discuss with our teammates on how to plan a service project with high feasibility and effectiveness. It is important to listen to everyone's opinions patiently and respectfully. By understanding each other's perspectives and exchanging ideas, we can implement the project in a better way.
LEUNG Shuk Yin, Tiffany
SHSS, Year 1
The ACE Program is a platform which has helped me deepen my self-understanding and fulfill my personal goals.
I have recognized more of my own strengths and weaknesses and fulfilled my goals in the areas of personal enhancement and community contribution. This is a worthwhile program for students to build their confidence by better equipping themselves, and to broaden their horizons to see the needs of the community or even the world.
MIU Sze Ching, Dawnya
SBM, Year 2
After joining Connect ACE, I have found my own value and started to appreciate myself and others.
I have developed close friendships with my teammates, who encourage me to think more deeply and critically. I have also improved my interpersonal skills and adopted a more positive attitude towards life—I'm now more open-minded and optimistic. This meaningful and inspiring program not only gives me a chance to learn how to organize social services, but it also equips me to face difficulties in the future.
MA Tsz Ki, Ellen
SSCI, Year 2
We had many training workshops, which were quite enriching and helpful with regard to our service project.
No longer told what we should do, we had to organize a service project from scratch—from choosing the target recipients, understanding their needs, designing a program in accordance to their needs, to recruiting volunteers and implementing the project smoothly. This was indeed much more challenging than simply following instructions, but I enjoyed every bit of it and consider it as one of my greatest achievements.
The best part about the ACE program is the interactive learning approach in contrast to lectures. Every workshop, activity and service is a fun experience that facilitates learning. We even had camps, parties and dinners to complement this learning journey. All in all, the ACE program has given me a much-needed first-hand experience of both project management and service. Being a Connect Ambassador has also helped me understand myself better.
Akanksha DIXIT
SBM, Year 2
The ACE program will definitely be one of the most rewarding programs I have joined throughout my whole university life.
What I have gained in this program is much more than I expected. The skills and insights learnt in the workshops—from the very first one which taught us how to understand the service recipients’ needs to the last one which talked about reflection—will be useful for a whole lifetime. I am confident that I will be able to apply what I have learnt in many aspects of my life ahead.
CHAN Kwun Fung, Colman
SENG, Year 1
