College 1 Hosts Tea Time with the Hong Kong Down Syndrome Association

Tea Time with the Hong Kong Down Syndrome Association at College 1

17 January, College Hall, HKU Jockey Club Student Village IV

College 1 was honoured to host “Tea Time with the Hong Kong Down Syndrome Association (HKDSA)” on 17 January at College Hall, HKU Jockey Club Student Village IV. The event brought together around 30 youths with Down syndrome and their family members, alongside 30 resident volunteers from Jockey Club Student Village IV, for an afternoon of connection, inclusion and shared joy.

This was also a milestone occasion for College 1, as it was the first official bilingual (English and Cantonese) event hosted by the College.

Warm welcomes and meaningful partnerships

The programme was led by two wonderful MCs, HKDSA social workers Ms Poon and Ms Ching, who guided participants and volunteers through the day’s activities with great care and energy.

Guests were welcomed by Mr Edward Yau, GBS, JP (Former Secretary for the Environment and Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development of Hong Kong) and Dr Shih Tai Cho Louis, a proud ambassador of HKDSA. Their presence underscored the importance of building an inclusive community and fostering meaningful engagement between university students and persons with Down syndrome.

The event was further enriched by a speech from Professor Sandra Tsang, from the Department of Social Work and Social Administration at HKU.

“City Hunt” across the Village

After the opening, participants and volunteers were divided into four mixed teams for a “City Hunt” around Jockey Club Student Village IV. Each team received a route map and set off to complete a series of games and tasks stationed across the residential village.

The activity was designed to encourage communication, teamwork and mutual support.The City Hunt created many moments of shared achievement and friendship-building as teams navigated their way through the challenge together.

Guided reflection and sharing

Following the City Hunt, everyone returned to College Hall for a guided debriefing. Reflection questions were displayed on screen to prompt discussion about participants’ feelings, highlights and learning from the activity.

Within their small groups, guests, volunteers, HKDSA social workers and College 1 staff engaged in structured conversations, helping participants process their experience and articulate what inclusion, support and fun meant to them personally.

Tea time, karaoke and gift exchange

The reflective segment was followed by a relaxing tea time, with pizza and snacks to recharge for the second, high-energy part of the programme: karaoke.

In the spirit of celebration, guests with Down syndrome, HKU student volunteers and College 1 staff took turns singing and performing together. The karaoke session quickly became one of the most memorable parts of the day, with music breaking down barriers and creating a warm, joyful atmosphere in College Hall.

A meaningful gift and souvenir exchange rounded off the event. On behalf of HKDSA, Mr Yau and Dr Louis presented specially designed souvenirs, engraved in appreciation of College 1’s support, as well as a Certificate of Appreciation. The certificate was received by Ms Anna-Maria Kutateladze, Wellbeing Residential Tutor of College 1 and event organiser, on behalf of the College. In return, College 1 presented tokens of thanks to HKDSA social workers, HKDSA Director Ms Erica Lee, and ambassadors Mr Yau and Dr Louis, in recognition of their partnership and contribution.

Community support and gratitude

The event was co-sponsored with 80 packs of cookies from iBakery, a social enterprise established by Tung Wah Group of Hospitals (TWGHs). These were generously purchased by Ms Chan Seung Yan Sonja on behalf of her daughter Evelyn. College 1 extends heartfelt thanks to their family for their kindness and support in making the tea time more delightful for all participants.

Looking ahead

“Tea Time with HKDSA” marks an important step in College 1’s ongoing commitment to wellbeing, diversity and inclusion. This event demonstrated how university communities can play an active role in building a more inclusive Hong Kong.

As College 1 SRT, Michael Manio, mentioned in his closing remarks, College 1 looks forward to deepening its collaboration with the Hong Kong Down Syndrome Association and hopes this will be the first of many joint events in the years to come.

We would like to thank more than 30 volunteers who made this event possible!