The Hong Kong student who had to balance learning with keeping herself and her brothers alive is now a finalist in Student of the Year awards
- Daisy Ngan’s father left his three children to fend for themselves for months at a time with just HK$1,000 for food and bills
- The Buddhist Fat Ho Memorial College student has been nominated in the best improved category
Three years ago Daisy Ngan Yu-ching would not have dared to dream of finishing high school and going to university, she was too busy worrying about how to feed herself and two younger brothers.
But rather than whining about life’s difficulties, the 19-year-old used the challenges as motivation and her perseverance and dedication have carried her to the final round in the best improved category at this year’s Student of the Year awards.
The results will be announced at an award ceremony on Saturday at the Kowloon Shangri-La Hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui.
For someone who considered dropping out of high school to support her family, Ngan has proved it is never too late to become the best version of yourself, and realise your full potential.
“Having to juggle financial issues and going to school was hard, but I am just so thankful that I had the chance to go to school because knowledge is the only way that can change my future,” said the Buddhist Fat Ho Memorial College student.
Born on the mainland, the now high school graduate moved to Tai O from Fujian with her two younger brothers in 2016, with the intent of being with her father. Their mother died soon after her youngest son was born.
“But as a sailor, he was gone months at a time. Before he leaves, he usually gives me HK$1,000 for the three of us to live on for two to three months, but we had rent, utilities and other bills to pay,” Ngan said.
The three of us would go into the water to start looking for food and that is how I managed to feed us for a few years
With limited resources and money, Ngan became creative to ensure she and her brothers, who are now 17 and 18, survived.
“I saw a lot of tourists coming into the area and going to the beaches to dig for clams and other seafood, so I followed a group of visitors and watched them dig,” she said.
The next day, she waited until the tide went out and began digging herself.
“So often when I came back from school, I would finish my homework before the evening came because that is when the water recedes, and the three of us would go into the water to start looking for food and that is how I managed to feed us for a few years,” she told the Post.
In a city where so much has been said about “winning at the starting line”, and children are often enrolled in tutorial or interest classes after school to help them improve their schoolwork, Ngan has another take on the presumptions held by many students, parents and even educators.
“Grades are not everything, and when parents continue to push their children to the limit, sometimes it strips them of a happy childhood and their awareness of the community, which can affect them as a person when they grow up,” she said.
Despite her upbringing, Ngan, who did not have the chance to go to extracurricular activity groups or tuition classes, was motivated to help people whenever possible.
“So many people are ungrateful nowadays, too many clashes and disputes between people, but what we need is to have a more united society with a heart to serve so we can tackle issues together,” she said.
In her spare time, Ngan volunteers at elderly homes and participates in beach clean-ups.
That spirit of giving is also exemplified by another finalist in the best improvement award, Alex Mai Wen-fung.
Coming from a more fortunate background, the 17-year-old did not have to worry about affording the necessities, but he was quite lost in life.
A love for running put the St Margaret’s Co-educational English Secondary and Primary School pupil’s life back on track.
“I was lost before I found my passion in running and it helped me reassess my life,” he said. “My coach at school became my biggest supporter and he pushed me beyond my limits.”
His progression was not just confined to the sport, but also reflected in his academics.
“I began paying extra attention in class and in the special tutor session the school arranged for me so I didn’t have to spend as much time studying at home, which gave me time to train after school,” Mai said.
“It’s never always sunshine and rainbows. There are times when I get discouraged, but I tell myself that I have to keep going and just seize the moment.”
With his talent, Mai wants to contribute to society with his love for running.
“And now, my goal is to become a professional athlete and in the future, I can coach others the way my coach did,” he said.
Mai and Ngan’s mindsets are exactly what one of the organisers of the awards is looking for.
“Personally, I have always found the most successful students are those who show the greatest curiosity,” said Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, CEO of the Hong Kong Jockey Club.
“They constantly seek to improve themselves and to learn more. They have strong values and beliefs and they demonstrate the ability to think critically and strategically.”
Now in its 38th year, the awards are organised by the South China Morning Post and sponsored by the Hong Kong Jockey Club, with support from the Education Bureau.
