Kids4Kids 'Writing for a Cause' Review

A Word from Our Founder

Kids4Kids is always so grateful to our team of passionate volunteers who make it all happen. Without you, the annual Writing for a Cause competition would never have started, let alone continue year on year. Thank you Dania Shawwa Abuali and Sarah Wong for being a part of it all from the very beginning. Without the both of you, it simply could not have happened.

And look where we are today. We celebrated all who took part in the 6th annual ‘Writing for a Cause’ in March; to date, more than 5,000 kids have participated and 49 Kids4Kids stories have been published.

So how did it all begin? Here’s the story.

One day, my then 5-year-old came to me with a little booklet he had made. It was stapled together to look like a book and inside, his illustrations, page by page, told a pictorial story. It was a story that I would often tell him - how there were many kids around the world who did not have money to go to school or have books to read. He asked me to help him put words to the story he had illustrated.

The next day, he proudly brought his ‘book’ to school and shared the storybook he had created.

I saw first-hand how, when a child is empowered and engaged in creating something him/herself, then the actions are remembered and become more meaningful, and the positive impact is more long-lasting. It spurred me to think that if my child could do this, so could other kids. So, that is how the story of Kids4Kids Books and ‘Writing for a Cause’ began. And for every one kid who writes a story and brings it to life with illustrations, another would be inspired to feel that because someone who is just like them did it, he or she can do it too.

So come and share your story with ‘Writing for a Cause’.

Michele Lai

Contents 01-02

Foreword

John Shanahan

03-06

Spotlight On...

Dania Shawwa Abuali Jan Chan Gloria Ng 07-08

Perspective

09-10

T imeline

11

Participating Schools and

Learning Centres 12-14

W FAC 2013 Participants

15-17

Acknowledgements

Foreword

by John Shanahan

The Writing For A Cause program offers a unique opportunity for students in Hong Kong to develop their creativity and unlock their passion for writing. It helps inspire children who may not otherwise engage in the writing process.

Writing itself brings a number of emotional, social, and cognitive benefits. By crafting a meaningful story, students are provided with an avenue of self-expression that may not be possible through simply talking or writing directly about their feelings and problems. Writing enhances confidence by producing work that is meaningful and has substance, and to see it published gives a true feeling of accomplishment that some children may not experience. It teaches children about empathy and perspective-taking as authors have to put themselves in their character’s shoes. Writing provides an opportunity for students to explore their feelings and morality in a non-judgemental way. It also has a positive impact on language development and stimulates brain development. As Dr Seuss notes, “I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living�.

The process of writing can often involve the entire family and we have seen families pull together to support their budding author develop and publish their story. Opening the contest to both English and Chinese speaking students makes this program truly inclusive and reflects the diverse cultures found in Hong Kong. Bringing these two communities together

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in order to collaboratively support families that are under-privileged further reflects the fundamental ideals of Writing For A Cause.

The fact that these children and adolescents are writing for a cause, rather than just a grade or to please a parent or teacher, amplifies these benefits and brings a host of other psychological benefits to the process. Being kind to others, showing compassion and empathy, and helping those who are truly in need is not an opportunity many students get to experience. Moreover, these altruistic activities stimulates the release of oxytocin, a feel-good hormone that helps stave off psychological problems such as depression and helps us more effectively deal with stress. It also reduces social fears and increases an individual’s generosity.

Oxytocin has also been shown to stave off physiological problem and can help heal wounds and relieve pains.

I hope that the schools and students participating experience the psychological and educational benefits of contributing to this worthwhile cause, and in the process learn more about themselves and the world in which they live.

John Shanahan, MPsych, Grad Dip Ed. HK Registered Psychologist Specializing in Children and Adolescents Vice-President, Psychotherapy Society of HK Director of Child Development Team at One Island South

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Spotlight On...

Dania Shawwa Abuali runs Haven Books and is a

founding member of the Independent Publishers of Hong Kong. Dania is a judge who has been involved with ‘Writing for a Cause’ since its inception, and has supported the first two years of Kids4Kids books printing.

Q: How did you get involved with ‘Writing for a Cause’?

A: Michele and I were both mums and she definitely knew from her experience that children have a lot of creativity, but there are really very few outlets to express their imagination except through casual art school projects. I was a publisher myself at Haven Books and was exposed to a lot of books for children but not books by children. We thought it would be a wonderful idea to allow an outlet for their creativity, whether it’s writing or illustrating, so that’s how it started.

Dania Shawwa Abuali

Q: How do children benefit from ‘Writing for a Cause’?

A: I think on several levels. First of all it encourages kids to try to strive and complete their publication. It is a very adult concept to publish a book, but these kids have succeeded, so it’s basically allowing children to test their capability to complete a full project beyond their years, to be able to complete a story from beginning to end and have it tight enough and cohesive enough to be a book. It’s quite a big undertaking. And beyond that it’s encouraging kids to be creative and I think that’s very important with both written words and with art.

Dania presenting an award at the annual ‘Writing for a Cause’ award ceremony.

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Q: How is ‘Writing for a Cause’ different from other similar programs?

A: It is very kids focused. The money that is raised benefits children. I think when you enter most other competitions it’s about being a winner, but for ‘Writing for a Cause’, you’re actually writing to showcase your talent but also in order to benefit children in need.

Jan Chan is one of the winners of ‘Writing for a Cause’ 2010. She co-wrote The Magical Vegetables, a tale of hope, dreams and achievements, with Forrest Jiang, Max Lau and Ernest Lau.

Book cover of The Magical Vegetables, a winning story.

Q: What inspired you to join Kids4Kids ‘Writing for a Cause’?

A: I wanted to prove to myself that I had the ability to write and finish a story even though I was only just a kid. I thought of ‘Writing for a Cause’ as a milestone in my life development.

Q: Has winning ‘Writing for a Cause’ developed your confidence in your creative talent?

A: Winning the ‘Writing for a Cause’ competition has made me realise that I initially lacked the belief I could write a good story. Overall, the whole process of joining ‘Writing for a Cause’ has made me feel empowered as a kid and more confident in expressing my ideas through writing.

Q: What else did you discover about yourself from participating in ‘Writing for a Cause’?

A: I think the courage I found in myself to steer our story into a different direction was definitely something new to me. At one point, our story didn’t have a witch and the vegetables were not magical. It dawned on me that the plot was bland and I told myself “This isn’t going to work!” So, I spent an evening rewriting the whole story, injecting more drama into the original storyline.

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Although my teammates were a bit surprised to find how much the story had been rewritten overnight, they understood my reasons for change. In retrospect, that moment of courage to raise my opinion and proactively lead my teammates has not only significantly improved the quality of our story, but it also challenged myself to take responsibility as a group member.

Q: What would you recommend to students who are interested in joining ‘Writing for a Cause’ competition?

A: Just go for it! You don’t have to win. ‘Writing for a Cause’ is a fun and creative process and you will definitely gain something out of the experience. It is a learning process that requires effort and creativity that cannot be rushed. If you don’t feel confident in your abilities, just try your best. And don’t be afraid to ask teachers on how to express your ideas and what words you would need to make your story more coherent. In the long term, I think developing a habit of reading more books of different genres would improve one’s writing skills as well.

Q: Other than ‘Writing for a Cause’, what other Kids4Kids’ projects are you involved in? How are those experiences like?

A: I took part in the Buddy Reading Program and I have also offered my time as a summer volunteer at Kids4Kids. Visiting local schools was a new experience for me and it opened my eyes about kids coming from different socio-economical backgrounds.

Left: South China Morning Post Parents’ Guide interviewed Jan (second from left) and reported on the impact of ‘Writing for a Cause’, May 2014.

Right: Gloria Ng, mother of Ng Wing Chun, a participant of ‘Writing for a Cause’ competition 2013 and 2014.

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Gloria Ng, mother of Ng Wing Chun, a participant of ‘Writing for a Cause’ competition 2013 and 2014. At first, Gloria did not know much about ‘Writing for a Cause’ and Chun was the one who asked to join the competition; after having gone through the competition once, Gloria realized how much her son had gained from the experience and encouraged him to sign up for this year’s competition.

Q: How many years has your son participated in the ‘Writing for a Cause’ competition?

A: My son has participated for two years. He is interested in ‘Writing for a Cause’ because he has always wanted to have his own storybook published. When he was six, he was determined to write his own stories.

Q: In what way do you think the ‘Writing for a Cause’ competition has made a mark on Chun?

A: I found that Chun performed better on his academic work after joining the competition.The influence is even more obvious in his Chinese and English writing.

He seems more capable of composing creative ideas and writing in greater depth.

Q: Apart from intellectual growth, have you noticed any difference in personal growth before and after the competition?

A: I think his self-esteem has grown stronger. Before he joined, I’d never seen him do things in such a devoted and happy way. He was really excited when he accomplished his work. I think the sense of achievement from completing a task by his own effort is really rewarding to him. Also, he learnt to persist when facing challenges and managing time under pressure.

Ng Wing Chun painting illustrations for his story submission.

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Perspective Working Wonders for Children

by Anthony But and Frankie Lo Anthony and Frankie are both HKU students who were summer interns at Kids4Kids in 2014.

Anthony was a final year Psychology student, and Frankie was a first year student studying Education.

During this summer, we worked for Kids4Kids for two months. We had no idea what we were to encounter, but the experience we had turned us into firm believers of the empowerment of ‘Writing for a Cause.

One of the ‘Writing for a Cause’ participating schools that we visited was Lok Sin Tong Leung Wong Wai Fong Memorial School in Tuen Mun. The school has participated in ‘Writing for a Cause’ competitions 2012, 2013 and now 2014. We spoke with English teacher Ms Sonnia Cheung, who was most impressed with the positive impact of the competition on the students.

‘Students who have participated in the competition have shown great improvements in writing skills and made fewer grammatical mistakes and fewer misuse of adjectives in their writing assignments,’ says Ms Cheung.

Right: Stories and illustrations created by kids aged between 6 and 16 years old through the ‘Writing for a Cause’ competition.

Far Right: A ‘My Story Creation’ Workshop was held at Lok Sin Tong Lau Tak Primary School on 5th July 2014. All students and volunteers who attended enjoyed playing games, reading stories and creating stories together.

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Before the ‘Writing for a Cause’ competition, Cheung observed that while her students may have constructive and creative ideas, they were afraid to express them. Some even lacked the motivation to carry on with their stories after the idea stage. But Cheung said, ‘The “Writing for a Cause” competition helps bring about a fantastic writing atmosphere for kids, and encourages them to share their creative ideas.’

For many children, writing stories can be a daunting process. However, what differentiates Kids4Kids ‘Writing for a Cause’ is that it also provides an opportunity for kids to draw. Fu and Shelton (2007) found that ‘providing struggling writers with a means to illustrate initial story ideas helped to promote their confidence, stamina, writing skills.’ (Dunn & Finley, 2010). This research finding was supported during a ‘My Story Creation’ workshop at the Lok Sin Tong Lau Tak Primary School, Tseung Kwan O, where we found some students initially struggled to draft their own stories but when given sheets of paper, they became more eager to engage in the writing process through illustrations. It is also believed that through pictorial instruction it creates a more relaxing writing environment for children.

Our observations during the student workshops and the glowing testimonials by participating schools have truly shown us that ‘Writing for a Cause’ is working wonders for children.

Reference: Dunn, M. W. & Finley, S. (2010). Children’s Struggles with the Writing Process: Exploring Storytelling, Visual Arts, and Keyboarding to Promote Narrative Story Writing. Multicultural Education, 18 (1), 33-42.

Left: The ‘My Story Kit’, designed and published

by Kids4Kids, provides the materials and guidance children need to create a story of their own.

Far Left: Students from Lok Sin Tong Leung Wong Wai Fong Memorial School enjoyed sharing their creative ideas through words and illustrations.

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T imeline

WFAC made headlines in Daily 10 (an English newspaper for children).

The ‘Writing for a Cause’ program started in 2008. One of the participants Jocelyn Kwan (aged 12 then) is now a junior judge of WFAC.

Overall winners were fea storytelling and book-sig held between 2011 and 2

2010 2008

Over 5,000 students from 22 primary and secondary schools and 11 learning centres in Hong Kong have taken part in WFAC.

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2009

The proceeds of WFAC books sales ha been donated to a total of 12 charity organizations.

atured in 10 gning events 2013.

The panel of judges has grown from 5 people in 2008 to 24 in 2013, as the number of entries from particiapting schools and the Open Category has increased.

Since 2008, 44 story books have been published by Kids4Kids.

2012 2011

ave

2013

WFAC has grown over the years to become inclusive of all backgrounds, with over half of participating schools being local schools.

2014

‘My Story Creation’ workshops have been held at participating schools to ignite students’ imagination and enhance their writing skills.

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W FAC Supporters Schools participated in Writing For A Cause Baptist Lui Ming Choi Primary School – 2013 Canadian International School - 2009, 2010 CCC Heep Woh Primary School - 2014 Chan’s Creative School – 2010 Cheung Sha Wan Catholic Secondary School – 2014 Chinese International School – 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 Delia School of Canada – 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 Hong Kong Academy – 2009, 2010 Hong Kong International School – 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 International Christian School - 2010, 2011 Lok Sin Tong Lau Tak Primary School - 2014 Lok Sin Tong Leung Kau Kui Primary School – 2013, 2014 Lok Sin Tong Leung Wong Wai Fong Memorial School – 2012, 2013, 2014 Marymount Primary School – 2010 Peak Primary School – 2009 Po Leung Kuk Lam Man Chan English Primary School – 2013, 2014 Renaissance College Hong Kong - 2008, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014 Shatin College – 2008 Sha Tin Junior School - 2012 SKH Wei Lun Primary School – 2014 The ISF Academy – 2010, 2011, 2014 Victoria Shanghai Academy – 2010

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Learning Centres participated in Writing For A Cause ABC Pathways School – 2012 Access Tutorial Center – 2013 Book Talk – 2013 Elephant Community Press – 2013 Future Leaders Academy – 2013 i-Square Education Centre – 2012, 2013, 2014 Jack and Jill Treehouse – 2012, 2013, 2014 JEMS Learning House – 2012 KidsEdge – 2013, 2014 Mud Pies Education – 2013 Passion For Language – 2014

W FAC 2013 Participants The Open Category Finalists Katrina Wing Hei Chan Maximilian Damien S.F. Chan Ethan Cheng Oscar Tsz Hin Cheng Kylie Chong Theodore Chow Chung Ying Choy Ronald Tsz Hei Chung Nicola Gabrielle Ho JaQ Lai Chak Hei Lam Chak Yan Lam Brigit Lee Justin Zhi Hin Lee Wing Ki Leung Michelle Agnes Li Dorothy Yan Tung Ma Faye Ng Huen Kiu Ng Lucius Ng Tiffany Ng Tyler Ng Jade Yin To Poon Tszwai Pun Tiffany Ming Sin Siu Cartman Alexander Tai Samantha Natalie Tai Erin Tsz Sum Tan Ricco Wai Ho Tsang Yuk Yuk Tsang Oliver Tseng Zoe Wang Sean Wong Wynn Wong Yu Ching Yau Samantha Yip

The Open Category Participants Agnes Cheuk Kiu Au Madeleine Braure Cyrus Chan Daphne Hoi Tung Chan Jasmine Wing Sum Chan Lok Ting Chan Mickey Sin Kei Chan Yoki Chan Abbie Hoi Kau Chen Adam Shing Hin Chen GiGi Chen Man Lok Chen Hau Yan Cheng Ka Man Cheng Nicole Cheung Marco Ching Megan Ching Stephanie Chu Man Sum Chung Hin Yi Fang Marcus Fung Tricia Fung Ziyang Hao Matthew Si Zheng Ho Melody Ho Oi Yan Ho Saeyeon Kim Alena Kiu Allen Kiu Ka Kit Kwok Rachel Lai Sharon Shun Ting Lai Claude Lam Brighton Lau Jeff Lau Winter Lau

Elly Law Maggie Lee Nicole Lee Viola Lee Vivian Wei Lee Andi Leung Geoffrey Leung Karis Leung Matthew Leung Ka Wing Li Stephanie Li Maxine Lo Manting Lui Yoyo Lok Yiu Lui Kai Yui Ng Wing Chun Ng Alpha Ngai Alisha Pak Adya Patil Ellie Shum Chee Kiu Sik Cyrena Heng Yee So Wang Lam Sze Michelle Tang Timothy Tang Wing Kiu Tsang Clarice Tse Loreen Tiffany Tse Mika Tsuchida Abigail Tsz Ching Wong Alvina Wong Charmaine Wong Hong Ni Wong Keith Yan Wong Sally Wong Sammi Wong Valerie Wong Gordon Wu 12

W FAC 2013 Participants Ka Chun Yeung Neddy Yeung Pui Sze Yeung Wing Sum Yeung Jiawen Ying Chloe Yu

Toby Jing Tseng Carrie Wang Cindy Wang

Chinese International School

Ahmed Fraz Hoi Tung Au Man Him Cheang Cheuk Hin Cheung Wing Laam Chiang Ka Man Chu Siu Tin Chu Siu Wai Chu Ching Man Fok Yan Kiu Ho Lam Huang Chun Hei Ko Hau Ling Lam Yuet Man Li Tsz Suen Lu Tsz Ki Mak Muhammad Ismail Ho Kin Ng Bonnie Ka Po Ng Yong Yee Ng Cheuk Yin Tam Ho Yin Yeung Oscar Yat Fei Yu

Cassandra Cheung Ashlyn Chiu Erin J Choi Eric Chow Zoe Yee Man Chow Carina Gjoerup Megan Hilary Hsu Yvonne Kuo Erin Cui Ying Kwang Alysha Lai Andrea Lee Ce Mi Lee Lauren Loh Saskia Lester-Smith Chloe Levieux Reina Lim Gloria Poon Jessica Poon Skyler Pulling Andrea Raftell Christina Rose Seigrist Alicia Shen Angel Wing Man Shum Ian Chim Smith Natasha Jialin Steinert Kelly Su Rhea Talwar Alicia Tang Veronica To 13

Lok Sin Tong Leung Wong Wai Fong Memorial School

Hong Kong International School Jack Cariaso Brian Chiang Clara Choi Brian William Donohugh

Isabelle Faiola Will Garrett Miriam Gordon Perry Heredia Naomi Katayama Layla Keith Audrey Kim Hailey Kim Yujin Kim Henrietta Ko Lau Cho Yui Ryan Sophia Lee Jiyoon Lee Hannah Lee Natasha Leong Victoria Liu Katelyn Liu Marguerite Lonergan Lucy Loomis Audrey Platt Avari Shewmaker Sophia Shields Lindsey Simonson Madeline Smith Ani Maria Strecker Selena Sun Nicole Tan Jessica Shono Thai Elaine Tsou Katherine Vermylen Maeve Waugh Blythe Wong Guinivere Yeung Baptist Lui Ming Choi Primary School Long Kiu Chow

Lok Sin Tong Leung Kau Kui Primary School

Po Leung Kuk Lam Man Chan English Primary School

Pak Yin Chan Daniel Tze Hin Fife Thomas Tze Hei Fife Siu Man Lui Hoi Chin Luo Si Hang Ng Janice Bo Ki Or Hoi Ying Pang Kei Tung Po Wa Yung Siu Pak To Wong Yi Yeung

Warren Yan Wo Cheung Hiba Imran Eson Ng Jophy Wai Nam Or

Delia School of Canada Fabliha Subha Abedin Karmanya Dhingra Hallie-Francesca Evans Aryan Jauhari Doheon Kim Sujin Lee Amber Yawen Liang Mikhail Lulla Austen Zhi Qian Ma Ananya Iris Mitra Kaustav Mukherjee Haesung Oh Rahul Zane Patcha Wahalathantrige Tisuka Sandiv Perera Jamal Richard Raaki Kartik Rao Angelu Rose Chio Santos Alexis May Walter

Renaissance College Hong Kong Padmina Ananthanpillai Lyla Brown Joezette Gavra Chan Jay Chan Katie Chan Jeremy Ching Ho Chan Amaris Zacharie Chan Jesslyn Wing Tung Chan Jacie Wing Yu Chan Anika Chun Yu Cheung Nicole Cheung Sze Long Chow Shoham De Anna Sumiko Desfretier Jasmine Dunn Cheryl Mei Wai Hong Charlotte Hui Aariya Hemal Jhaveri Wing Kiu Lau Aiden Lau Kaitlyn Sze Ting Leung Tze Ching Leung Grace Tsz Kiu Li Emily Li Beilin Kai Lin Andrea Lo

Trevor Lui Ying Qian Mak Maggie Megan Priyul Jogani Meghanshi Marjorie Yik Sze Ngai Jaznang Jimmy Patwa Winnie Pau Theresia Purnomo Shraddha Rajesh Abigail Jade Salisbury Ivan Suen Beatrice Yan Yin Sung Endria Tai Curtis Tan Naomi Charis Sum Yuet Tong Aden Tse Rachel Wai Yin Vong Hay Wong Yulam Yau Emma Yeung Angus Heung Wing Yip Krissy Yip Shevaun Tze Yan Yip Toby Sik Yan Yu

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Acknowledgements We wish to thank the following companies and individuals who have supported Kids4Kids Books and ‘Writing for a Cause’ since 2008:

WFAC Patron Sponsors Art Group Limited Direct Printing Jones Day OpenClass Paperhouse Creations

WFAC Major Sponsors China Resources Enterprises Lane Crawford Kosoku (Joint) Paper Ltd. Melco MPR HK Taiwan Lung Meng Tech.

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Supporting Sponsors

WFAC Judging Committee

Companies and individuals who have supported Kids4Kids ‘Writing for a Cause’ for one year or more:

Individuals who have been the judging committee of Kids4Kids ‘Writing for a Cause’ for one year or more since 2009:

Bookazine Green Paper Power Limited Huzi Design Mustard Seed Creative Noiseless Design Pacific Coffee Company Pollux Books SC Storage The Commercial Press (HK) Ltd. The Document House

Alexandra Leung Amelia Chen Andrew Lui Benjamin Lau Benson Lo Betty Cheung Cameron Su Dania Shawwa Abuali Derek Kwik Emma Fordham Haani Jetha Hau Kwei Wong Ho Siu Shu Joan Szeto Joanna Hotung Jocelyn Kwan Kady Fung Kai Man Pong Katherine Kwok Liz Avern-Briers Mang Ho Kwok Marlon Ng Martha Keswick Melissa Megan Michelle Liu Natalie Yang Nury Vittachi Pearl Tong

Kids4Kids Book Printing Sponsors Companies and individuals who have supported Kids4Kids ‘Writing for a Cause’ in book publishing: Mr. Asit Shah Miss Crystal Lui and Miss Alissa Lui Mrs. Diane Meehan HKBN IBM Ms. Jennifer Meehan Mr. John Lewis Mabros Mrs. Patti Ho Ms. Sharon Lim

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Acknowledgements WFAC Judging Committee (cont’d)

Ruth Benny Sean McMinn Sharon Kwok Sherry Lu Shonee Mirchandani Tania Willis Vivian Ching

Volunteers We are grateful for having had student interns from the following universities in Hong Kong: City University of Hong Kong Hong Kong Baptist University The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology The University of Hong Kong

‘Writing for a Cause’ Planning Committee We would like to express gratitude to the following individuals who have been the core team involved in the program planning of the annual Kids4Kids ‘Writing for a Cause’ competition: Mr. Daniel Chun Ms. June Cheng Mrs. Michele Lai Ms. Pearl Tong Ms. Sherry Lu

‘Writing for a Cause’ Review We’d like to give our heart-felt thanks to the following individuals for putting this magazine together: Design and layout Writers

Editing Consultant

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Christine Chow Sarah Yu Anthony But Frankie Lo Pearl Tong

More information at:

http://kids4kids.org.hk To view a video about ‘Writing for a Cause:

CLICK HERE