Primary Four students were tasked to stay in town. They collected ​trash for recycling to be paid a pittance, prepared meals within tight ​budgets, and spent whole nights in undesirable, if not undignified, ​conditions. Having had these albeit brushes with poverty, students ​began to cherish their own relatively-privileged lives.

The local households were families of left-behind children, whose ​parents work in urban areas hundreds of kilometres away. Our ​primary brothers took turns to ask the family about themselves while ​we helpers facilitated the discussion. They also had the chance to do ​some farming themselves using ploughs and sickles that were way ​heavier than expected. On the last night of the stay, the local guides ​arranged a spectacular bonfire party for our junior brothers to sing, ​dance and to set off firecrackers, which we cannot do in Hong Kong. ​The programme wrapped up in laughter and joy.

Paul’s Action programs are instrumental in the personal development ​of SPCPS students. By experiencing these unfamiliar circumstances, ​whether it is becoming trash collectors for a day or being away from ​Hong Kong for three days by themselves, our junior students have ​broadened their horizons and learnt important life lessons. Not only ​did they become more self-reliant, but they also gained an ​appreciation of the difficulties faced by others, and of the privileges ​of their own lives.

Being a helper for Paul’s Action was truly the highlight of my year so ​far. The program was just as significant to us SPC students as it is to ​our junior brothers. It deepened my compassion and empathy as we had ​to care for the primary school students every moment during the ​three-day trip. It was even more remarkable for those of us helpers ​who are SPCPS alumni. During the bonfire party, when the theme song ​of the program was sung, many of us helpers were touched, as the ​song is the same as it was when we attended Paul’s Action ourselves.

Paul’s Action is absolutely an invaluable experience. If you are in Form 3 and ​are interested in joining next year’s Paul’s Action, stay tuned to the OLE ​website for updates!