“I want to share my experience“
Fergus Kwok works at the Hong Kong office as Head of Sales for South China, specifically taking care of the regions of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and Xiamen. His responsibilities include leading a team of 14 colleagues, pursuing business opportunities, and meeting clients.
However, as soon as summer comes around, he leaves the meeting rooms and office buildings behind to be one of the chief instructors for a youth organization called “The Hong Kong Award for Young People“(AYP).
The AYP, formerly known as The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, was established in Hong Kong in 1961. Its mission and purpose is to support young people to challenge themselves through leisure activities and voluntary service so they can discover their hidden abilities and gain an important sense of satisfaction and achievement. The so-called award expeditions can be completed by hiking, kayaking, cycling, or on horseback and vary in length and level of effort. Those who wish to earn this prestigious award have to join training groups and get prepared for the challenges many weeks in advance.
In his early twenties, Fergus achieved the Gold Award by hiking, and, to this day, he still remembers the great satisfaction it brought him:
“I had very nice mentors. The memories I made, together with the team, will last a lifetime. That’s why I want to share my experience with other young people.”
Now he can look back on 20 years of being a voluntary instructor. He started off with hiking groups, but when he sensed a considerable interest from the youngsters for the newly renovated kayaking center, he decided to accept a new challenge. “Hiking is easy, you only need water,” he says with a grin on his face. A kayaking expedition is much more elaborate. After all, the team needs kayaking and camping equipment, transportation, and a safety boat.
The competition is a team effort. To earn the Silver Award, they must paddle just under 25 miles (over 21 paddling/exploration hours) in three days, and if they are going for Gold, they need to complete nearly 40 miles (over 32 paddling/exploration hours) in four days! The teams, made up of young people aged 14-25, are entirely responsible for themselves throughout the expedition, meaning they must sort their own supplies, cook, and sleep in tents - but their helpful mentors are never too far away. The training lasts for 10 days, then the group is assessed and can receive their award.
“Some of these kids have never even done a sport before, let alone sleep in tents and completely look after themselves. It is hard for them at first but then they see the valuable skills they develop.”
And after spending so much time in nature, surrounded by the mesmerizing landscapes Hong Kong has to offer, all this hard work definitely pays off. Most of the team members live in built-up areas in the city, so this allows them to explore the great outdoors, while also gaining important life lessons and skills.
Fergus is known to be a tough and strict instructor, but kayaking is a dangerous sport and no one in the team is allowed to break the ranks, purely to ensure everyone’s safety. He admits that his wife has made him softer over the years and that he has also learned a lot from the young people he works with in return.
Mentoring keeps him fit in terms of both body and mind. Even after the expeditions, the attendees stay in touch over social media, and occasionally, Fergus is approached by one of them on the train or in the streets and they exchange some good old memories. He is proud and humbled to see what exciting things they go on to do in life. Some that were very shy, have finally come out of their shell and have even become instructors just like him.
The voluntary work for AYP also developed Fergus' skills as a manager. He has a great sense of each member of his team as an individual. Despite the wide age range from 30 to 60 years old, Fergus has managed to keep his team close and bring his positive energy into work. Challenges are just opportunities for him to improve and learn.
“Business is like the weather”, he says, “sometimes you just can't control it."
Just like with his mentees, he strives to be a role model for his sales team by sharing his knowledge and supporting them all the way.
