At Foundation for Shared Impact (FSI), we love working with impact-driven youth to build a more sustainable and resilient society, whether through impact-based experiential learning, leadership training, kick-starting their impact journeys, volunteering, participating in high-level roundtable discussions, offering bespoke direct business support to under-resourced entrepreneurs, collaborating with corporate professionals to create positive social impact, developing an impact-driven entrepreneurial mindset, and more.
Community Engagement for an Inclusive Hong Kong
In the week of 3 March 2025, FSI hosted the transformative “Community Engagement for an Inclusive Hong Kong” program for Hong Kong International School (HKIS). The week-long program immersed HKIS high school students in the vibrant yet often overlooked world of ethnically diverse entrepreneurs in Hong Kong.
Through hands-on activities, workshops, and direct engagement with local businesses, students gained a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by these entrepreneurs and committed to business projects to provide the entrepreneurs with real-world solutions, with the aim of promoting social inclusion and economic resilience.
The program design was informed by our observation and experience in uplifting ethnically diverse entrepreneurs in Hong Kong, who often face significant challenges, including language barriers, limited access to government support, and cultural misunderstandings from local customers, which impede the survival and success of their businesses.
Understanding the historical and continuous contributions that ethnically diverse entrepreneurs make to Hong Kong’s economic and cultural diversity, we at FSI have been supporting these entrepreneurs since before our incorporation. One way we do this is by bridging the gap between local communities and under-resourced entrepreneurs, fostering cultural sensitivity, inclusivity, and mutual understanding.
By engaging youth in the Community Engagement program, FSI aims to empower the next generation of socially conscious leaders who can drive positive change and support inclusive economic growth.
HKIS Students Gaining New Skills and Perspectives from Community Business Projects
Through the one-week program, HKIS students and educators first had the opportunity to meet under-resourced entrepreneurs from the ethnically diverse community to understand the business challenges they face. The students were then skills-matched with different micro business projects and tasked with designing, executing, and presenting their solutions to help the entrepreneurs address the challenges, including digital marketing strategy and content creation.
In addition to meeting people from diverse backgrounds and leveraging their skills and creativity to support Hong Kong’s under-resourced entrepreneurs, program participants were also introduced to FSI’s partner companies and entrepreneurial community to broaden their knowledge and experience of the diverse cultural tapestry and essential social impact work in Hong Kong.
Below is a recap of the day-to-day happenings and impact.
- Day 1: Orientation and Business Visits
- Program kick-off took place at Heath. The vibrant culture, retail, and dining destination located in the basement of Chungking Mansions in Tsim Sha Tsui offered the perfect backdrop for students to get to know each other and learn about the ethnically diverse communities in Hong Kong, particularly the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) run by these communities. The session was hosted by Kenny X. Li, Cultural Manager at Heath, who happens to be an HKIS alumnus from 20 years ago.
- After engaging games and activities, including a quiz that tested the students on their knowledge of Hong Kong, the students enjoyed a delicious lunch at Ghana Locals, prepared by its Founder and Owner, Tess Karl Buah, renowned for her special Ghanaian and West African dishes.
- FSI led the students on a guided tour to visit 10 different ethnically diverse businesses in Chungking and Mirador Mansions, including restaurants, hair salons, and retail shops owned by entrepreneurs from Pakistan, Nepal, India, and other diverse backgrounds. Students had the opportunity to engage directly with entrepreneurs at Reena Enterprises, Chinese Custom Tailor, and Chakwal International Hair Salon, gaining first-hand experience of the cultural richness and entrepreneurial spirit of these communities. A brave student also volunteered to try threading for the first time and had his eyebrows threaded at Chakwal International Hair Salon!
- Reflection of the day: Students were struck by the hard work and resilience of the entrepreneurs, many of whom work long hours to keep their businesses afloat. Said one student: “I never realized how much effort goes into running a small business. These entrepreneurs are truly inspiring.”
- Day 2: Deep Dive into Business Challenges
- The second day began in Jordan, at the space of Africa Centre Hong Kong (ACHK). Students learned about ACHK’s mission to rebrand blackness and promote cultural understanding. Tinotenda Muzariri, the Business Development Manager at ACHK, warmly welcomed the students and shared his experiences of adapting to life in Hong Kong.
- Students were divided into pre-assigned groups to work on their business projects. These projects included listing businesses on FSI’s GuideFong directory, conducting “Meet The Entrepreneur” interviews, and completing micro business projects such as menu redesigns and social media strategy development.
- Students visited several businesses under the supervision of FSI staff and HKIS educators, where they connected with entrepreneurs, completed business listings, and gathered data for their projects.
- All students regrouped at Battery Street, one of the most multicultural areas in Jordan. Here, they visited Pakistani and Nepalese-owned businesses, including barber shops and grocery stores, as well as the Home Centre (New Home Association), where Saleem Narmeen, a social worker of Pakistani and Chinese descent, shared insights on governmental support services for the ethnically diverse communities and newly arrived immigrants in Hong Kong. Her passion for youth empowerment and female empowerment left a lasting impression on the students.
- Reflection of the day: Students began to understand the unique challenges faced by ethnically diverse entrepreneurs, such as language barriers and limited access to government support. One student shared, “I used to think of ethnically diverse communities as migrant workers, but now I see how much they contribute to Hong Kong’s multicultural identity.”
- Day 3: Reflections and Workshop Session
- At a space we reserved at The University of Hong Kong (HKU), students participated in a reflection activity to discuss their sparks, puzzles, and actions from the first two days to process their experiences and set intentions for the rest of the week.
- In the afternoon, the students met Maryam Khan, Founder of Foodie Explorerz and Easy Eat, and a former mentee of FSI’s Mentorship Program for Ethnically Diverse Entrepreneurs. Maryam shared her journey of promoting dietary inclusivity and halal food in Hong Kong, emphasizing the importance of community engagement and cultural awareness. Maryam also led a “Strategies for Effective Branding and Storytelling ” workshop, tailored to enable the students to apply their learning to their projects.
- Reflection of the day: Students were inspired by Maryam’s story and her efforts to bridge cultural gaps through food. One student said, “Maryam’s work made me realize how much we can do to promote inclusivity in our own communities.”
- Day 4: Business Projects and Human Library
- Students continued working on their business projects, with most groups finalizing their blog posts and listings, setting clear goals for their presentation on the next day.
- After lunching at Rajdoot Indian Restaurant, the students visited FSI’s office, Peak Impact. Here, they participated in a Human Library session with Divyanti Caslay, a representative from EmpowerU and an executive committee member of Project Empowerment. Divyanti shared insights into the challenges and opportunities faced by ethnically diverse and marginalized youths in Hong Kong, particularly in navigating the HKDSE system and the competitive nature of university admissions for local students.
- Reflection of the day: Students appreciated learning about the HKDSE system and the challenges faced by local Hong Kong youths. One student reflected, “It was eye-opening to learn about the struggles of local students and how they navigate the education system.”
- Day 5: Final Presentations and Sharing
- The last day began at Bagaicha Bar & Restaurant, where students completed the final touches on their projects and prepared for their presentations.
- Students visited the ethnically diverse entrepreneurs for whom they developed business solutions and presented their revamped menu designs, social media reels, and marketing strategies etc. The students also showed the entrepreneurs how to post social media content and provided additional recommendations.
- The program culminated with final project presentations, where students showcased their work to everyone and received feedback from their peers and FSI staff.
- Reflection of the day: Students felt a sense of accomplishment and pride in their work. One student shared, “It was so rewarding to see the business owners’ reactions to our projects. They were genuinely grateful, and it made me feel like we made a real impact.”
One Week of Community Impact
The one-week program left a lasting impact on both the students and the businesses they supported. Here are some of the key outcomes:
- Five new businesses were listed in the GuideFong directory, increasing their visibility and accessibility.
- Four entrepreneurs were featured in blog posts, sharing their stories and inspiring others.
- Five business projects were completed, including menu redesigns, social media campaigns, and promotional videos.
- 20 students developed soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and leadership, while also gaining an entrepreneurial mindset.
- Five ethnically diverse entrepreneurs received tailored support to overcome their challenges, helping them grow their businesses and reach a wider audience.
The community engagement program for HKIS students and educators is an important reminder of the importance of intercultural, cross-sector community collaboration and the power of experiential learning for youth empowerment.
By connecting students with our community of ethnically diverse entrepreneurs, FSI not only provided much-needed support to under-resourced businesses but also inspired the next generation of socially conscious leaders. Together, we have taken a significant step towards creating a more inclusive and equitable Hong Kong by fostering cultural sensitivity and an inclusive mindset among the youth, encouraging them to become advocates for social change.
That explains why we are delighted to learn that the HKIS students left the program with a strong desire to take action, especially after recognizing the importance of cultural exchange and community engagement. For example, many expressed a desire to continue working with ethnically diverse communities in the future and returning to the businesses to support them. The experience also motivated them to work harder, especially for those planning to pursue entrepreneurship in their own lives.
As one student beautifully summarized, “This experience has opened my eyes to the struggles and strengths of the ethnically diverse community. I’m leaving this program with a renewed sense of purpose and a commitment to making a difference.”
The sentiment is echoed by another student: “This experience made me realize that entrepreneurship can be a tool for social impact. By supporting ethnically diverse businesses, we can create a more inclusive and equitable society.”
For a glimpse of the Community Engagement program in action, check out these Instagram reels made by HKIS students of their teacher Mr Schmidt getting a haircut at AK Barbers and a student visiting the Nepcha tea shop!
Work with FSI to Nurture Tomorrow’s Impact-driven Leaders
In workplaces all over the world, the skills mismatch gap is widening. Employers are finding it increasingly difficult to acquire talents with the right skills, while youth are graduating from schools without the skills and knowledge required of the ever-changing workplace landscape. If you are interested in giving your students or children the opportunity to develop soft skills and an entrepreneurial mindset through hands-on community work, get in touch with us at info@shared-impact.com!
Also check out our Summer Impact Fellowship Program to find out how we cultivate future impact leaders through personal development workshops, discussions on diverse social and environmental issues, and real work experiences at social impact startups.
