Student volunteers bake with ex-offenders to rebuild trust
AM730 · 2 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago5 MIN
Summary
A volunteer team made up of secondary school and tertiary students worked with ex-offenders aged around 50 to 60, teaching them to make nostalgic Hong Kong-style Western pastries such as chocolate triangle cake and cream rolls. The students said they hoped familiar local flavours could help narrow the distance between people, convey care and acceptance, and support former offenders as they re-enter society. Team leader Yeung Wing-tung (楊泳彤) said most members had never met ex-offenders before and were initially nervous, but support and training from a rehabilitation centre helped them learn how to communicate appropriately. The initiative was recognised at the Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong’s 2025-26 YM Volunteer Commendation Ceremony held on 25 October.
Key Points
- The volunteer group, called “Volunteer World Organization”, was formed by secondary and tertiary students and centred its service project on promoting Hong Kong culture.
- Participants taught ex-offenders aged 50 to 60 to make nostalgic pastries including chocolate triangle cake and cream rolls, using food as a social bridge.
- Yeung Wing-tung said the team felt anxious at first, but rehabilitation-centre training covered communication skills and practical points for engaging ex-offenders.
- During the baking activity, some ex-offenders shared their mistakes and personal journeys, which Yeung described as a valuable lesson in life education.
- The Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong said its registered volunteers reached 24,510 in 2025/26, a record high, contributing more than 120,000 service hours.
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong readers, the project shows how small, community-based activities can lower barriers between young people and former offenders without relying only on formal rehabilitation programmes. It also suggests volunteer service can serve two purposes at once: helping people rejoin society while giving students direct exposure to social realities outside the classroom.