Reflection from two NextGen 2026 new students.
Yandy：
Like many others, I assumed philanthropy was just about galas and fundraisers. The NextGen Philanthropy Leadership program completely changed my perspective. It showed me what giving was truly about: actively building sustainable solutions from the ground up.
On the first day of the program, we visited the Gurdwara. One aspect of the visit that stood out to me in particular, other than the delicious curry, was the message that everyone was viewed and treated equally. In the community kitchen, everyone, regardless of who they were, sat on the floor to eat together. This also increased bonds within the community. As I sat on the floor with everyone else, enjoying a tasty slice of a culture I was previously unfamiliar with, I realised that this action was something crucial for philanthropy.
Our tour guide told us a story of what not to do: A king demanded to be brought a chair and table when he ate in the temple, as he believed himself to be above his subjects. But that’s not what philanthropy is. Philanthropy is about sitting at the same level with everyone else, just like we did at the Gurdwara.
To truly help someone, we must step down from a perceived position of authority to understand them. If we were sitting on a chair while people who needed our help sat on the floor, how would we start a chat with them? How would we learn about their troubles, their hopes, their dreams? Only if we engage with them on the same level can we focus on them and their actual needs, not our assumptions of what they need. We shift the dynamic from “trying to fix the problem” to “walking alongside them to solve it together”.
That realisation was what stuck with me when my group started brainstorming ideas for our community project. Inspired by what we learned at the Gurdwara, we wanted to build something “for students, by students”. We realised that many of our peers wanted to do something for the environment, but volunteering often felt inaccessible or disconnected from their daily lives. We found that 82% of Gen Z were willing to volunteer, but didn’t have time to commit to volunteer schedules. Thus, we proposed an interactive platform that made environmental action both collaborative and engaging.
Our proposed project would help students discover local volunteering opportunities. To make volunteering engaging, we also incorporated a leaderboard so peers could motivate one another. Finally, we included a space for fellow students to share stories about their environmental actions. By removing barriers and turning sustainability into a team effort, we proved that real impact only happens if we take the initiative to understand what people truly need.
Ambrose：
I am glad that I had the opportunity to participate in the NextGen Philanthropy program. It was a great opportunity for me to improve myself from different perspectives and broaden my social circle. I made a lot of new friends throughout the programme, and the whole journey was both enjoyable and rewarding.
To begin with, I have learnt the importance of teamwork and leadership. All of the participants were divided into different groups, and our team aimed to tackle the problem of food waste. Everyone in our team was passionate and hard-working. We organized Zoom meetings at night to discuss our ideas and prepare for the presentation, which showed that we were all committed team players. Although I did not take on a leadership role, I learnt a great deal from my teammates. I hope that I can play a bigger role in my future projects. The whole experience taught me that having a strong team spirit is one of the keys to success.
Throughout the journey, we visited many museums and places in Hong Kong. My favourite was the Islamic Centre in Wan Chai. Although it is located near my secondary school, I had never visited it before. I tried some Islamic food and learnt about Islamic culture and traditions. This experience was a valuable opportunity for me to appreciate the cultural diversity of Hong Kong.
Moreover, I learnt more about the proper use of AI. AI is becoming increasingly important in modern society. Before joining the program, I mainly used AI to help with my homework. Throughout the workshops, I learnt how to use AI more effectively and how to create AI-assisted videos. I also learnt that it is better to ask thoughtful questions and use AI as a tool for learning rather than generating the answers directly. Now, AI is a tool for me to improve and create, but not for copying answers only.
Most importantly, I realised that my role in philanthropy can change from being a participant to a leader. In the past, I mainly participated in local charity activities organised by my school or community, such as visiting the elderly centres and selling flags. However, after participating in this programme, I have become more confident in being a leader and participating actively in philanthropic events. Recently, I joined the district services and community care team and participated in activities like organising trips for the elderly and the local community.
Although our group did not win the final pitch, the NextGenprogram was still a meaningful journey for me. I made a lot of new friends, enjoyed exploring different parts of Hong Kong that I had never visited as a local resident, and learnt valuable lessons about teamwork and leadership. I hope that I can participate in more NextGen events in the future!
