Hong Kong Students Experience First Field Mission in East Timor with Shared Foundation
HK01 · 1 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago5 MIN
Summary
Au Yeung Kwan-yi, a project specialist at the Hong Kong-based Shared Foundation (共享基金會), recently completed her first field mission to East Timor as a team leader, guiding students from Hong Kong and Macau through humanitarian work in Baucau Province. The group tested donated water dispensers and mosquito traps, conducted dengue fever prevention education, and distributed related supplies to local communities. The journey provided practical lessons in humanitarian work, demonstrating how field operations require flexibility and quick decision-making.
Key Points
- Au Yeung Kwan-yi transitioned from student to team leader, experiencing the responsibilities of coordinating logistics for overseas missions including transportation, meals, accommodation, and safety
- The team departed Dili at 6 AM, traveling approximately 4 hours by SUV and van to reach Baucau Central Hospital by 10 AM
- Students tested water dispensers by measuring TDS values (Total Dissolved Solids), with water below 150 ppm considered safe for drinking
- The Shared Foundation, established in 2018, conducts "Direct Drinking Water Projects" in East Timor and cataract elimination missions across five African and Asian nations
- The team established an information repository to record observations and lessons learned for future reference
- Language and cultural differences posed no barrier, as Hong Kong students naturally connected with local peers through genuine interaction
Why It Matters
The mission demonstrates how Hong Kong's youth can contribute to "people-to-people connectivity" under the Belt and Road Initiative, gaining hands-on experience in international humanitarian work while supporting public health infrastructure in developing nations. The foundation will deploy another team to East Timor at the end of September, continuing its capacity-building approach that shifts from direct service to empowerment through training and equipment provision .
The mission demonstrates how Hong Kong's youth can contribute to "people-to-people connectivity" under the Belt and Road Initiative, gaining hands-on experience in international humanitarian work while supporting public health infrastructure in developing nations. The foundation will deploy another team to East Timor at the end of September, continuing its capacity-building approach that shifts from direct service to empowerment through training and equipment provision .