“I was originally a boat dweller. As a child, I helped my parents deliver fresh water to fishermen on a small boat.” With a smile on her face, Patty Cheng, a resident of Hoy Au Lau, recalls her early life on the water. Aberdeen has historically been a fishing port, and decades ago, the shoreline was teeming with houseboats; it was there that Patty once lived. 

More than 40 years ago, she moved from the sea to the shore. After getting married, she officially settled in Yue Kwong Chuen, where she has spent decades witnessing the changing seasons. Her most cherished memory is the era of shared kitchens, where older housewives patiently taught her how to cook. “They taught me to make home-style dishes—soy sauce chicken, salt-baked chicken—and now I’m quite good at it!” That warmth of neighborly bonding is deeply imprinted in her heart.

For years, Patty has been determined to pass on the spirit of sharing she received from her neighbours. Whether sewing hats for the elderly, teaching crafts at hospitals and community centres, or singing Cantonese opera with fellow residents, her enthusiasm has inspired her neighbours to embrace this spirit of mutual aid.

Patty recalls that when she suffered a serious illness in earlier years, neighbours took the initiative to visit her, and Housing Society staff proactively installed handrails in her bathroom. “Knowing someone cares makes life feel so much more secure.” Today, she continues to look out for elderly neighbours living alone. From the water to the shore, the setting may have changed, but the spirit remains the same—a tapestry of human kindness woven by the hands of neighbors.