"Our Community in the Eyes of Pupils”: Adventures in the Community, Told by the Little Ones
To many, Ms Poon Ming-chu is a children’s literature writer and a writing tutor. Indeed, she often visits schools to teach writing, which gave her the idea to produce a CIBS programme, “Our Community in the Eyes of Pupils”.
“Inspirations for writing often come from real life. But as I talked to the children, I discovered that they had limited knowledge of their community,” she said. It was a discovery made when she asked pupils in Tsuen Wan to write about the district - the children had never been to Sam Tung Uk Museum, nor The Mills. Under the pandemic, concerned parents felt uneasy letting their children go out, which further limited the opportunities for them to explore the areas they live in.
Due to the pandemic, Ms Poon often used video conferencing to explain to the children and discuss with them what the programme was about. (Photo provided by interviewees)
“But children are the key to future developments of a society and community.” Aiming to show children more about their communities, Ms Poon gradually came up with the idea of making the programme “Our Community in the Eyes of Pupils”. Thirteen primary schools took part in the 13-episode series. Under the guidance of teachers, children pondered and discussed, created radio drama scripts, then practised and recorded them.
Ms Poon (in the middle) is grateful that the programme had the eager participation of pupils as well as active support from headmasters and teachers. (Photo provided by interviewees)
Much research was required to formulate a story about a community, giving children ample opportunities to examine the districts. A child told Ms Poon that, in order to produce the programme, he asked his mother to show him around Apliu Street so that he could feel for himself what this previously unknown place was like. “I could see that they grow with the project, and that their eagerness to participate and explore the community also increased.”
“Children have their own ideas. You just have to offer them the opportunities.” Crossing over from a children’s literature writer to a radio programme producer, nurturing children remains Ms Poon’s passion for life. She believes literature and radio production share the same key. “Creativity is essential for both activities. They are just different platforms for us to present the contents in a multi-dimensional way,” she said with a smile.
