Co-created stories:

Editors’ Notes: LCS2333, a new Service-Learning subject developed by the Division of Languages and Communication, aims to create more visibility for the experiences of refugee children and cultivate social empathy among our PolyU SPEED students. Through crafting personal stories, designing storytelling workshops, building personal connections with the children, the subject creates a genuine language learning and cultural understanding environment for our students. Showcased here is a collection of personal narratives written by PolyU SPEED students together with their service recipients. The refugee children then recorded their stories using their own voice.  The children’s names are pseudonyms to protect their privacy.

The selected stories here, coincidently, are all about dreams, and the theme of parental love comes up quite often. We hope these stories are fun to read, and perhaps they will rekindle your childhood dreams too?

Story 1: Sabastian the YouTuber
Co-authors: Sabastian, Olivia, Eric and Jim

My name is Sabastian. I am from Pakistan. I am good at science, and my name means being good at mathematics, which is a fun coincidence. When I asked my mom about the origin of my name, she told me she asked a community head to grant me a good name, so, Sab it is! The name also means helpful, creative, and a blessing to the family.

I would like to share my story with you about Gaming Videos. From the first time I came across Gaming Videos, I was fascinated by the Gaming YouTubers, and I found this type of YouTubers very interesting: their expressions, their narration and their gaming strategies made me very happy. It was the most fun I've ever had with YouTubers. From that moment on, I wished I could be a YouTuber like them, those who could bring joy to other people through videos. At our age, parents often think that we should study hard and anything unrelated to studying is a waste of time. I'm lucky to have a mom who loves me, and I'll always remember the answer my mom gave me when I first told her I wanted to be a YouTuber. She smiled and looked at me gently and said, “It’s not a good thing at your age, but you can do it if you want.” I was surprised that my mum didn’t give me any negative feedback and it was this affirmation that gave me the courage and drive to try out my new side.

Then, I started trying to make my first video, but I found the end product was not satisfactory. I couldn’t do the voice-over on the video because I didn’t have my own space at home and was worried that using the microphone would disturb my brother. Also, sometimes my footage was quite laggy as my MacBook was very slow. The good thing is that there are always more solutions than difficulties. So, I tried using subtitles on the videos and adding some video effects, and with my tweaking, my videos became more complete. My followers have also grown.

Whenever people ask me if I want to be a famous YouTuber, to be loved by more people and to receive a good amount of money, I always think of my mom’s words: “I just want you to grow up happily and healthily.” I think the biggest reason I’m a YouTuber is just because I want to spread happiness to others. I will work hard and I will slowly learn about editing, making better video clips, and strive to become an influencer who can bring joy to everyone.

Story 2: A Star is Born
Co-authors: Sean and Hins

“Saint pass, an opportunity here, an incredible volley from Sean, Goal! Goal by Sean. This is the first goal by Sean and he represents Barcelona!”

That football star’s story started when he was only 3 years old.

The ball passed by his friend and rolled slowly under Sean’s leg. As soon as he touched the ball, he fell in love with it. Believe it or not, he would play football against the wall every day because it was like a person who passed the ball to you, and his biggest habit was to visit the court to observe other people playing football. And one day, a man wearing a Manchester United shirt noticed that little kid from the side of the court. After his friendly match, he walked to the little kid and asked him: “I have seen you here for 3 weeks already. Do you want to join my children’s team to have official training with us?” “Yes! Yes!” the little boy’s face lit up.

After Sean joined the United’s man team, he exerted his talent to help the team win many trophies. Now he is playing for the best team in Hong Kong, Kitchee. In a usual football match where Sean represented Kitchee, a B team scout from Barcelona noticed the young player’s potential and talent, and he visited Hong Kong to bring Sean to Spain.

Over 2 years of hard work and nonstop training, Sean finally obtained the chance to represent Barcelona against Real Madrid.

On the match day, Sean was in a substitute seat. After 70 minutes, he eventually replaced another right-wing player and stepped onto the field at Camp Nou. Time was running fast in the last 3 minutes; Sean saved his team with his goal. He ran towards his manager Messi and had a passionate hug with his childhood idol.

After the match, he was interviewed by a reporter, “How do you feel, Sean?” He replied, “It is hard to express my feeling here, but I want to thank my idol Messi; he inspired me so much, and I want to make history for Barcelona like he did.”

Story 3: A Birthday Wish
Co-authors: Saint, Allie, Richard and Conor

This is Saint, a 10-year-old boy from Nepal. My mom named me. I like my name because my mom told me it’s from the Bible. My Birthday is on 12th March. I used to celebrate my birthday at home with my family, not with my friends. One time, I asked my dad if my friends could come to our place for celebration. “No, your friends are dumb, they can’t come to our place,” he said, a bit angrily. I felt a bit sad, and I made our home messy to express my feelings.

A few days ago, it was my best friend George’s birthday, and we held a party at West Kowloon Park for him. 22 people showed up, and one of my friends bought a chocolate cake. We sang a birthday song to George. I thought it would be funny to smash the cake on his face, so I did it. He was not offended and started laughing too. Others were shocked because they didn’t believe I would actually do it. “Nice one!” George said. We were all laughing at that moment. After that, I gave him the gifts: a pair of sunglasses, and some cash. It was a memorable day. I wish my friends can give me a surprise on my birthday like what I did on George’s birthday. Also, I hope to receive an iPhone in black as my birthday gift.

But my biggest wish is my dad can like my friends, because they are all very nice to me, and they are not dumb at all. They are smart and fun to be with. I hope one day my dad can allow my friends to come to our place to celebrate my birthday. I love my family and my friends: they are the biggest part of my world!

Story 4: My Dream
Co-authors: Daniel, John and Erin

“Son, we think you should become a doctor when you grow up.” That is something most parents tell their kids.

Of course, when we talk about the future, many parents want their children to be a doctor, or a lawyer, and many parents push, push, and push. Children are told from day one that they are going to be a professional. They are not asked but told. Parents hope their children will have a bright and stable future and place high expectations on them. I understand why my parents are doing this. They don’t want me to suffer. I understand what they are thinking. They want me to be a doctor for a better salary, for the ability to own a house in the future. Hong Kong is a business city. Everything is about money; we can do nothing without it. But this doesn’t justify pushing me into a career I don’t want, at least not for now.

I am pretty sure my parents know the jobs that I really want to pursue. I want to be a professional football player just like Cristiano Ronaldo and fight for Manchester United. It might sound crazy, but it is really one of my dreams. I know my parents’ concerns: the career length, the injury problems, a healthy body, a stable future… Can I make a living in Hong Kong? What am I going to do after retiring as an athlete? These are also my concerns.

But I really love football. From the moment I started playing football with my friend to wearing the black and orange shoes my father bought for me. Run, run, run, shoot, and goal. I knew one thing was real: I fell in love with football. I enjoy the feeling of running on the football field and the feeling of cooperating and competing with my friend, Sabastian and my other friends. Also, there is another thing that makes me very happy: I joined the football club last week upon Sabastian’s invitation. Now I enjoy running towards our common goal even more with my friends.

I know everything my parents worry about, but I still want to get their support. I believe the old saying, “where there is a will, there is a way.” So, I want to work hard for my dream once!

However, no matter what, my dear mom and dad, you will always be the people I look up to. You raise me up and give me a lot. I will always love you. Even if the whole world blames me for being bad, I know you’ll have my back.

My name is Daniel. I’m from Nigeria, Africa. I didn’t ask my parents much about the meaning of my name, but I think they must have put a lot of hope and trust in me. I’m sure I won’t let them down.