In a clear demonstration that disability is no barrier to success, two students have won prestigious awards aimed at promoting all-round development among young people in Hong Kong.
Set up in 1956, the Hong Kong Awards for Young People promotes balanced development by requiring participants to excel in four areas - service, expeditions, skills and physical recreation.
Ho Kwok-chi, 17, and Leung Chun-pan, 18, reached the silver level in the annual programme.
The students, from Hong Chi Winifred Mary Cheung Morninghope School, are the first silver award recipients who are mentally disabled.
With support from their teachers and social workers, Kwok-chi and Chun-pan both completed four sections of the programme and reached the qualifying standard for this year's 265 silver awards.
Teacher So Siu-fong said the scheme had helped to boost her students' confidence and provided good training for the future. To complete the expedition section, the pair had to go on a three-day, two-night journey through the Sai Kung countryside, accompanied by teachers and instructors.
