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SHKP Reading Club Read & Share popular in schools

The SHKP Reading Club promotes reading generally and is currently working with the Hong Kong Aided Primary School Heads Association in a Read & Share programme to bring the fun of reading to schools. The programme for the 2016/17 academic year has a series of interesting activities for students and teachers at 80 schools and encourages students to spread the joy of reading to family and friends.

Appealing to youth

Suki Yu is a social worker who won a Young Writers' Debut Competition with her book Lupus and Me. She took part in a Read & Share 60 Minute Chit-chat and spoke about writing and challenge of coping with her illness. She was popular with the students, who called her 'beautiful big sister' for her cheerful smile, but they didn't see her perseverance, the scars on her legs and the large doses of steroids she has to take every day for lupus. Another guest was disabled artist Apple Tong, who teaches drawing to children at a Read & Share creative workshop. Apple has a congenital hearing disorder but still pursues her dreams, and her passion for design, love and determination fill her drawings. Both Apple and Suki show a never-say-die spirit in the face of challenges, inspiring children to be strong and work hard.

Poetry writing made fun

The first Young Writers' Debut Competition winner Christophe Tong has visited many schools with the Reading Club teaching the pleasure and skill of poetry writing. He encourages children to take inspiration from daily life in their poems to move readers and bring their words to life. The teachers praised Christophe for his examples of inspiring poetry by young people that made the activity fun and enjoyable. Everyone had a good time in the workshop.

Additional Reading Club guests from different backgrounds included former Fresh Fish Traders' School principal Leung Kee-cheong, cartoonist Chao Yat, veteran social worker and writer Annie Chiang, raconteur Cheung Mil-mil and other Young Writers' Debut Competition winners introducing students to the riches of reading in lively, interesting ways.

Young Writer Suki Yu (right) spoke about writing and challenges of dealing with lupus
Disabled artist Apple Tong (left) explained useful drawing techniques to students
Young Writer Christophe Tong (back left, standing) made writing poetry fun and easy