Discovering Community: A Journey Through "Little Nepal" with Our Tutors! 🌍

A community is more than just a collection of buildings—it’s a living, breathing network of stories, spaces, and shared experiences. That was the central theme of our special experiential workshop for our amazing tutors, 'Get Real in Meals', held on March 29. To truly understand what builds a community, we stepped out of the classroom and into the neighbourhood around Yuen Long Long Ping Estate Tung Koon Primary School, a place affectionately known as "Little Nepal" for its vibrant energy.

A City-Hunt for the Senses

After a fruitful morning of teaching, the afternoon began with an exciting city-hunt adventure. In small groups, our tutors weaved through the lively streets, uncovering clues and connecting with the community at different checkpoints. Their mission was not just to find places, but to truly see and interact with the world around them. They explored the meaning behind Nepalese wedding jewellery, sampled South-East Asian snacks, and observed the unique character of the shops in Hop Yik Centre, all while engaging with local residents. It was a powerful, hands-on way to experience the neighbourhood's rich cultural tapestry.

Uncovering the Heartbeat of a Neighbourhood

As they explored, our tutors pieced together the puzzle of what makes a community thrive. They saw the essential threads that hold a place together, from the vital local shops to the public spaces where people can rest and connect. They identified designs that foster inclusivity and spotted the creative spirit in the unique local livelihoods. It was a beautiful reminder that a community is built not by bricks and mortar, but by the people, interactions, and shared identity that fill its spaces.

Stories and Spice: A Shared Meal Together

The adventure concluded in the best way possible: sharing a meal at a local South/Southeast Asian restaurant. Over delicious food, the conversation flowed freely as tutors shared their discoveries and reflected on the experience. It was the perfect setting to connect the day's lessons to their teaching, discussing how a deeper understanding of community can help them build stronger bonds with their students.

The day was a wonderful celebration of discovery and connection, filled with great food and even better conversation!