'Cik1 Cuk1' Inspires Hearts: Dick's Sporting Goods and Youth Walk Together
(From left) Ah Yung, Yeung-hau, Cheuk-wai, Ngo-nam, Wa-nam, Avery, Curry
'No regrets breaking through, what does success matter...' Yau Ngo-nam sang and played the guitar on his self-penned Cantonese song 'Wings of Belief', with Cheuk Wa-nam accompanying on drums. 'Embracing tears with this persistence is not in vain'. As Ngo-nam finished the last lyric, applause erupted. Their performance venue this time was neither the street nor a youth centre, but the office of Dick's Sporting Goods, with the audience comprised of the company's employees. 'Wings of Belief' was created by Ngo-nam for 'Cik1 Cuk1 2.0' and performed at the sharing session. 'Cik1 Cuk1' has been organised by our Shamshuipo Central Happy Teens Club's Services for Young Night Drifters over the past two years. The second phase was completed this April, with 12 young people challenging themselves to a 70-kilometre walk from New Territories to Kowloon, crossing various mountains, roads, and streets, with a total climb of 3,300 metres. Both Ngo-nam and Wa-nam participated in 'Cik1 Cuk1 2.0', while Dick's Sporting Goods was one of the supporting companies.
A Different Kind of Cross-Sector Partnership
'We initially supported the Cik1 Cuk1 in a "passive-active" way', explained Avery Chan, Senior Manager – HRBP at Dick's Sporting Goods. The company was originally discussing youth internship opportunities with us, but the social worker in charge happened to be from Shamshuipo Central Happy Teens Club and took the opportunity to introduce 'Cik1 Cuk1'. 'When she described how the youth from the first phase had completed various trainings and the 70-kilometre walk, she became emotional herself', Avery said. 'This programme seems to have a kind of magic. Her passion moved me.'
Dick's Sporting Goods staff actively engaged in discussions with the youth during the sharing session.
Dick's Sporting Goods has been working with us for many years. Avery admitted that they had mainly provided direct funding and volunteers based on our needs in the past, which was a rather one-sided approach. However, 'Cik1 Cuk1 2.0' involved more interaction, with discussions between Dick's Sporting Goods and our staff on how to support the youth, leading to more engagement from company employees. In addition to financial and material support, Dick's Sporting Goods staff trained alongside the youth, distributed ice cream at one of the checkpoints on the day of the event to cheer them on and co-organised a sharing session after the programme's completion. 'When I learned of Dick's Sporting Goods' support this year, I thought it shouldn't just be about "money", but about the business community walking alongside the youth. The most important thing is for the young people to experience that there are indeed people in the world who will support them in this endeavour, said Yung Ka-yu (Ah Yung), Team Leader of Shamshuipo Central Happy Teens Club's Services for Young Night Drifters. 'We're very grateful that Dick's Sporting Goods was willing to be "crazy" with us.'
Ngo-nam (right) and Wa-nam performed 'Wings of Belief', with lyrics reflecting the growth of youth after 'Cik1 Cuk1'.
Life Influencing Life
'Cik1 Cuk1 2.0' had 12 participants, and although only five young people ultimately completed the 70 kilometres, Ah Yung stated that each youth had already pushed themselves to their limits. 'Success isn't measured by how many kilometres you've walked, but by the effort you've put in for yourself.' When asked about changes after the challenge, Ngo-nam, Wa-nam, and two other participants, Ng Cheuk-wai and Ng Yeung-hau, all mentioned the word 'confidence'. 'The first time I participated was to prove myself. The second time was to understand me better,' said Ngo-nam, who has participated in 'Cik1 Cuk1' for two consecutive years. 'It's not just about physical improvement, but it has also taught me the importance of self-discipline, perseverance, and endurance.’
'Cik1 Cuk1' changed a group of young people, and interestingly, the Dick's Sporting Goods staff who supported them also gained something. During the sharing session, when the four young people shared their stories, Dick's Sporting Goods staff offered many words of encouragement and advice. Avery noted that their staff are sometimes passive, but their response at the sharing session was more enthusiastic than expected. 'They reactivated the youth in these uncles and aunties. I believe the staff’s feedback to the youth is actually also a reflection on themselves. This is life influencing life.'
Ah Yung added that the 70 kilometres of 'Cik1 Cuk1' is like life itself, and these young people have only walked about 10 kilometres of their lives. She hoped that as they continue on their growth journey, they will, like in the 70-kilometre walk, continue to understand their different qualities, believe in their abilities, and build new identities. Similarly, she believed that different stages of life have different confusions, and 'Cik1 Cuk1' could also resonate with Dick's Sporting Goods staff, offering a little encouragement when they face their own uncertainties.
'Cik1 Cuk1' Creates Internship Opportunities
'Cik1 Cuk1' not only allowed participants to grow but also created an internship opportunity for another young person, Curry Pang. Dick's Sporting Goods had previously worked with us to organise a one-day work experience activity. Curry was initially unable to attend due to school, but she was very interested in the company and proactively asked our staff for the opportunity to attend half a day of the activity, which made an impression on Avery. After the activity, Dick's Sporting Goods intended to offer a summer internship opportunity to one young person, and Curry was not the first choice at the time.
Avery (right) appreciates Curry’s proactive attitude.
Fortunately, Curry's proactivity continued into 'Cik1 Cuk1'. She volunteered to accompany the young people on the last leg of their journey and happened to meet Dick’s Sporting Goods staff distributing ice cream for encouragement. When Curry saw Avery, she took the initiative to express her interest in the summer internship. 'Proactive people get opportunities', Avery said. Dick's Sporting Goods eventually decided to hire Curry. Currently studying Sports and Recreation Management, Curry gained insight into the less familiar business environment and work through her internship at Dick's Sporting Goods. 'From the perspective of my major, future career paths might be related to sports therapy', Curry said. 'But after interning at Dick's Sporting Goods, I feel there could be many different directions for development, such as sports management.'
'Actually, our collaboration with Hong Kong Christian Service (HKCS) began with an internship many years ago', Avery recalled. 'At that time, I asked an intern to find suitable social service organisations for collaboration, and they suggested HKCS.' After 'Cik1 Cuk1', our partnership with Dick's Sporting Goods is expected to grow even closer, continuing to seek innovative breakthroughs and create opportunities for more people in need in society.
Why Participate in 'Cik1 Cuk1'?
Many might feel discouraged when hearing about walking 70 kilometres, but the young people still find gain and joy in the experience...
Yau Ngo-nam
The 70-kilometre journey is painful yet very rewarding; every step changes me, making me a better version of myself.
Ng Cheuk-wai
I love sports and wanted to test my limits through this programme. I discovered that I was capable of helping others; when others were tired, I carried their backpacks and fetched water for them.
Cheuk Wah-nam
I initially joined the event because I noticed the changes in Ngo-nam after completing the first phase and wanted to challenge myself. Although the process is tough, friends, social workers, and various supporters are walking alongside me, which keeps me going.
Ng Yeung-hau
I originally joined with friends to try something new. Before participating, if you asked me if I could walk 70 kilometres, I would say no way. But today, if you asked me to walk another 70 kilometres, I would definitely say yes!
We always endeavour to build strategic partnerships with various corporates and organisations to serve the needy community. If you wish to collaborate with us, please contact our Corporate Development Office.
Tel.: 2731 6298 (Ms Tsang) / 2731 6362 (Mr Chun)
Email: partnership@hkcs.org
