The members of "Project Sparkle" Police Volunteer Team from New Territories South Region were delighted that the two students of the Christian Zheng Sheng College they had trained in running were admitted to the Department of Sports Science and Physical Education of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), after release of results of last year's Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination. And they were very proud of the students' success. The volunteer team has been steering students of the Zheng Sheng College on Lantau Island to the right direction since 2009. The following is the story of how the team helps the two Zheng Sheng students to carve out a bright future.

 

 

The first student, Lui Wing-ho, who had once stayed in a Boys' Home, only obtained seven points in the last Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination. But with the encouragement and assistance of the principal, teachers, schoolmates and volunteers during the three years he stayed in Zheng Sheng, he has made a positive transformation and hopes he would make a contribution to the community.

 

The second student, Tang Shun-yin, completed a 250-km marathon within seven days in the Sahara Desert in November 2013, proving that with courage and perseverance, Zheng Sheng students can do well.

 

 

The admission to CUHK for both Wing-ho and Shun-yin  last year was not only a reward for those who had taken care of them, but also a good start for their future. Their success proves that the "Sparkle Charter" strives to promote a caring community with training programmes and encourages young people to steer clear of illicit drugs, love their families, get equipped for taking on challenges and make contributions to society.

 

The "Sparkle Charter" has set clear objectives for the Zheng Sheng students. The athlete runners of the volunteer team designed a long-term distance running training programme for them and encouraged them to participate in marathon races.

 

 

At the outset, the volunteers were worried that the students might not be co-operative because of their police status. Out of everyone's expectation, the students, under the guidance of the principal and teachers, showed good discipline and obedience. Throughout training, they maintained a good relationship with the police volunteers.

 

The athlete runners of the volunteer team shared all their experience and knowledge with the students and from time to time invited the Chief Coach of the Marathon Training Centre, who is the former Chief Coach of the Universe Running Club, Mr Fung Wah-tim, to teach the students the tactic of distance running.

 

 

On top of the tough physical training, Wing-ho and Shun-yin also coped with their studies. They applied all they had learned from the distance running training in their studies, such as determination and time management. Eventually, their perseverance led to success.

 

The first distance run for Wing-ho was a half marathon. Three police volunteers also took part in the event as "pacers". Half way through, Wing-ho was exhausted and showed signs of spasm, but never gave up. With the encouragement of other students and the police volunteers, he completed the race. Wing-ho did not get any medal, but more importantly, the students showed team spirit and confidence throughout the event.

 

 

The "Sparkle Project" volunteers are delighted with the transformation of the students - mastering the knowledge and skills of distance run and becoming confident athletes. The Zheng Sheng College has "produced" many runners. Besides Wing-ho and Shun-yin, some of the runners have won medals in other distance races.

 

Both Wing-ho and Shun-yin have fully implemented the "Sparkle Charter" through different types of training: foot drill for self-discipline; archery for determination; rock climbing for co-operation; and cross-training for endurance. Their success stories have encouraged young people to seize every opportunity that comes their ways.

 

The "Project Sparkle" expects that more young people would have their own success stories to tell. The success of Wing-ho and Shun-yin tells young people that adversity is part of life. They will attain their goals as long as they maintain their faith.