Chill time — Dreamcrafter We Are Nature HK holds monthly gatherings at a cafe for residents
to chat, de-stress, and nourish their body, mind and spirit.
The thriving San Hui (New Market) in Tuen Mun, located in northwest New Territories, is among the early generation of new towns across Hong Kong. Preceding the newer standard-designed shopping malls and housing estates, San Hui's older street plans have helped retain a close-knit community. Small shops still survive here, a rarity in other parts of the district. These shops function as anchor points for building and maintaining community connections.
Our partner Yan Oi Tong Youth Space (Youth Space) is a community-based youth social innovation centre in San Hui. Since 2017, the group has nurtured more than 50 Dreamcrafter groups. The present Dreamcrafter project uses community currency 'Tuen Yuen' to enhance local participation, enrich community living, promote mutual help and deepen a sense of belonging.
This project involves five Dreamcrafter teams, each experienced and motivated in community service. Each involved in project planning and implementation. The five areas of work: recycling for zero waste, awarenessraising of the ailments and talents associated with ageing, sports for all in community spaces, talks and meditation for psychological wellbeing, and neighbourhoods that protect animal rights and welfare.
Zero waste — Dreamcrafter Lab0ver collects and sorts vegetable scraps from shops
at San Hui (New Market) on the last Saturday of the month, promoting zero waste.
New sports — Dreamcrafter Storm Sports Association introduces various games to residents
at the local San Hui Playground, making new sports equipment too.
Cross-stitch to music — in a collaboration with an embroidery shop, Yan Oi Tong Youth Space
offers a cross-stitch course for volunteers at a cafe that also has a selection of vinyl records.
The community currency Tuen Yuen is central to all the work. Residents who offer voluntary services receive Tuen Yuen and can exchange it for services from Youth Space or Dreamcrafter, products made under the scheme, or for discounts at small shops. People become more familiar with each other and with the needs of the community.
In one Tuen Yuen activity, Youth Space collaborated with a local cafe and an embroidery shop to offer a course on crossstitch. To root the activity locally, the instructor designed a special pattern combining participants' names with Hung Kiu, a red pedestrian bridge that is a beloved San Hui landmark. Mostly younger and middle-aged women, the embroiders enjoyed chatting with each other as they stitched, enjoying complimentary coffee and desserts too. For some, it was the first time to visit the cafe. Through this circular economy initiative, wonderful connections have been made.
Meanwhile, the Dreamcrafter elderly team invited a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner to help build skills to address common ailments associated with ageing. Participants learned self-examination methods and how to massage for pain relief. About half of the participants were aged 60+, with others being caretakers who often had not attended to their own health. They have since been applying their learning for themselves, as well as for others.
Youth Space community economy activities have been running for one year now, with a total of about 300 participants. Their social media group of about 100 people also gathers ideas and feedback. Each source of resilience and mutual help is valuable: a stronger, more resilient community helps people be ready to cope with changes and challenges that may come at any time.