Stronger You: College 1 Welcomes Domestic Helpers for a Day of Health, Wellbeing, and Connection

On 25 January, College 1 at Jockey Club Student Village IV, HKU, welcomed around 70 domestic helpers from the Philippines for a special community event themed “Stronger You: Master Your Posture & Protect Your Joints”.

Organised in collaboration with the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, HKU and its project “Lingering Love,” the event aimed to support the physical and mental wellbeing of domestic helpers, who carry out physically demanding work while living far from their families.

Learning to Protect the Body: Joint Health & Exercise

The programme began with a warm welcome from College 1 Senior Resident Tutor (SRT) Michael Manio, who introduced the theme of the day and highlighted the importance of recognising and supporting the contribution of domestic helpers to Hong Kong families and the wider community.

This was followed by an interactive workshop on joint health and exercise, led by HKU medical students representing the “Lingering Love” project of the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine.

Participants learned:

• How joints work and why joint health matters

• Common problems that can arise from repetitive or heavy physical work

• Simple, practical exercises to protect their backs, shoulders, and knees

• How to maintain better posture during everyday tasks

Our domestic helper guests were encouraged to practise these exercises on the spot and ask questions about pain, strain, and general body care. The hope is that these skills will be useful in their daily routines, helping to prevent injuries and improve long-term health.

All guests also received elastic exercise bands as a practical gift, generously sponsored by College 1 SRT, to support them in continuing the exercises learned during the workshop.

Caring for the Mind & “Home Away From Home”

The second part of the event focused on mental wellbeing. Resident Tutor (RT) Anna-Maria Kutateladze led a one-hour workshop on mental health and emotional resilience, bringing together domestic helpers and College 1 residents in shared activities.

Through interactive exercises, participants:

• Shared their “comfort places” on Hong Kong map

• Practised simple grounding techniques to manage anxiety

• Took part in semi-guided group discussions about their experiences of living away from home

• Built a symbolic “connection web” with College 1 residents

  
  

The “connection web” activity visually and emotionally highlighted how much the two groups have in common. Although domestic helpers and students may seem like very different populations, both are living away from their families, facing similar stressors, and missing home. This part of the programme was closely tied to the College 1 motto: “Home Away From Home”. The workshop underscored that College 1 is not just a residence for students, but a community that values empathy & mutual support.

Fun, Community, and Lasting Memories

To end the afternoon on a joyful note, everyone joined a fun quiz featuring questions related to the themes of the day and life at College 1. Winners received College 1–branded souvenirs as small but meaningful mementos of their time with us.

The event concluded with group photos, capturing smiles, laughter, and a genuine sense of unity between domestic helpers and residents. These images reflect the spirit of the day: learning together, supporting one another, and building bridges across different walks of life.

You can view and share the full photo album from the event to relive these wonderful moments of community and connection HERE.

Acknowledgements

College 1 extends heartfelt thanks to:

• The Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, HKU and the “Lingering Love” project team and students

• All JCSV IV HKU volunteers and residents whose time, energy, and care made the event possible

• Volunteer photographer Pranav Khemka for beautifully documenting the day

• College 1 Tutorial Team: Ali Choo, Joy Xu, Constantine Wong

This event was a meaningful step in strengthening ties between College 1 and the wider community, and in honouring the invaluable contributions of domestic helpers to Hong Kong’s “home away from home”.