Every Friday, the sound of reading aloud resonates through the activity room at Hoy Kong Lau in Yue Kwong Chuen. Elderly residents gently hum classic tunes like Enjoy Yourself Tonight or The Bund as they learn to write characters through the lyrics. Their “teacher” is none other than Chan Chi-shing, the former Building Supervisor of Yue Kwong Chuen. This literacy class has been running for over twenty years, specifically designed for elderly residents who never received formal education. “Seeing them able to read the lyrics and sing so happily gives me a great sense of satisfaction,” he says.

Since taking up the post of Building Supervisor in 1989, Chan lived with his family in the staff quarters at Shun Fung Lau. He laughs that he was essentially on call around the clock: if he received a call from a neighbour in the middle of the night, he would head downstairs immediately to handle it. Whether it was a broken lock, a light bulb that needed changing, or even insects entering a flat, as long as a neighbour asked for help, he would attend to it personally. “The residents put their trust in me, so I must serve them with all my heart.” He is also grateful for the Housing Society’s support, which allowed him to work with peace of mind for so many years. Throughout his time working in the estate, colleagues and neighbours alike affectionately called him “Shing Shing”, a sign of their close bond.

After retiring in 2012, Chan moved out of Yue Kwong Chuen, but he still returns every week, come rain or shine, to teach the literacy class. He has even led the elderly residents to participate in a Hong Kong-wide singing contest. The small trees he planted in the estate years ago have now grown lush and leafy, providing shade for the neighbours. This retired staff member, who silently watches over the community, shows us through his actions how to extend the life of neighbourly bonds, keeping the warmth deeply rooted in Yue Kwong Chuen.