Jockey Club learning programme enhances understanding of indigenous history

05/16/2014

The lifestyle and hardships experienced by Hong Kong’s post-war immigrants have been recreated in the last remaining example of a Mark I resettlement building in a single-block configuration.  The 60-year-old Mei Ho House, formerly part of Shek Kip Mei Estate and designated as a Grade Two Historic Building by the Antiquities Advisory Board, is now home to the Jockey Club Mei Ho House Hong Kong Spirit Learning Programme which offers tailor-made educational materials and guided tours for the younger generation to help foster greater understanding of the city’s history.

The two-academic-year project, funded by a HK$3.2 million donation from the Club’s Charities Trust, was officially launched today (16 May) by the Club’s Head of Charities Projects Rhoda Chan, Secretary for Education Eddie Ng and Hong Kong Youth Hostels Association Executive Committee Chairman Terry Liu.

Ms Chan noted that the Club had partnered Hong Kong Youth Hostels Association since 1980. “The Club is delighted to support the Jockey Club Mei Ho House Hong Kong Spirit Learning Programme with a donation of HK$3.2 million. We hope that our younger generations can gain an in-depth understanding of Hong Kong’s history, so that the precious culture and spirit can be passed down to coming generations,” she said.

Targeted at a younger generation that has little idea of what life was like back in the 1950s to 1970s, Heritage of Mei Ho House has been set up to duplicate the living conditions and challenges their forebears endured to help make Hong Kong one of the world’s leading trading and financial centres.

Under the Jockey Club Mei Ho House Hong Kong Spirit Learning Programme, students will be given guided tours that enable them to experience the conditions of those early residents of emergency resettlement estates, and better appreciate the tenacious Hong Kong spirit that took root at that time. Free teaching and educational materials are available for school teachers to introduce the history of public housing and local community development. An annual essay competition and teacher engagement seminars will be held to pass down the cultural values embodied by Mei Ho House to future generations.

The first seminar was held immediately after the opening ceremony, attended by some 50 teachers in charge of liberal studies or moral and civic education. More than 18,000 students and teachers are expected to benefit from the programme.

Similar projects sponsored by the Jockey Club include the Heritage Preservation and Rejuvenation Programme in Wan Chai; Community Classroom; Jockey Club Programme on Heritage Preservation by St. James’ Settlement, and HKJC Heritage x Arts x Design Walk project by HULU Culture. 

In addition, the Club funds four local activities that have been inscribed on to the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in China, namely the Cheung Chau Jiao Bun Festival, the Tai O Traditional Dragon Boat Water Parade, the traditional Yu Lan Ghost Festival in the Chiu Chow Community and the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Parade, as well as a related education programme, Community Education Project for National Intangible Cultural Heritage.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is not only one of the world’s leading horse racing organisations, but also Hong Kong’s largest community contributor, donating HK$1.95 billion in 2012/13. In addition, the Club is a major taxpayer, Hong Kong’s single largest by far, generating over HK$17.64 billion in 2012/13 for public funds. The Club pioneers technology applications for sporting and betting entertainment, striving for the highest levels of customer service. As a membership club, it is recognised as one of Asia’s most prestigious. These multifaceted roles make it a well-respected and remarkable organisation, dedicated to its mission of enhancing the quality of life for all Hong Kong people.