Eco-tour in Sai Kung – Birdwatching is one way to experience nature and learn more about one’s environment.
In the minds of many people, Hong Kong was once a small fishing village before it developed into a global financial centre. Mainstream society here has long relegated both our land and sea as resources to be exploited. Land reclamation is taken for granted under such a narrative, and the ocean sacrificed in the name of economic development. Yet, when the Covid pandemic struck Hong Kong and travel abroad became almost impossible, a shift happened. Locals became more aware and appreciative of the beautiful nature around them, also cherishing their immediate neighbourhoods.
PCD has been partnering with Urban Diary on the project ‘Let’s Go! You and I!’. The collaboration raises awareness on ocean ecology and supports capacity building for various community groups in coastal areas, including on various islands. Through exposure to innovative concepts and approaches, community group members feel that their perspectives are broadening and their sensitivity is heightening: they can go deeper into their work. Local residents also participate and benefit.
Let’s Go! You and I! has been guided by the Japanese concepts of Satoyama (living by mountains) and Satoumi (living by the sea) which are integral parts of the Social-Ecological Production Landscape and Seascape (SEPLS) framework. Participants are encouraged to view Hong Kong from the perspectives of fisherfolk, boat dwellers, and of the ocean itself.
“I live in Sai Kung and watch the sea very often,” said Kathy, a member of the neighbourhood group, Vision of Sai Kung. “Through participating in the activities, I have become inspired to look at the land from the sea’s perspective.”
A participant from Peng Chau also shared reflections with us. “In the past, I was unclear about my relationship with the community, why I have such passion for my island, and why I like my home in Hong Kong. The Satoyama and Satoumi concepts have helped me realise that I can use these perspectives to consider my community. I am now more conscious of why my village was built to face the sea, and with a mountain at our back. I now sense a deeper connection with nature. I feel protected by the mountain and embraced by the sea. This further helps me to know my role and identity and recognise my affection for Hong Kong as my home.”
Co-learning session – Ng Ka Man (right) shares his experiences as a fisherman
and talks about the history of fishing in Hong Kong.
Let’s Go! You and I! also employs storytelling methods such as narrative therapy, oral history and nature writing for community work. Participants share stories from different perspectives, design community tours, and develop media work. They have particularly connected with the narrative therapy sessions, quite different from the typical counsellor-client power dynamics in clinical psychology. “In our group sessions,” said Chloe Lai, curator of Urban Diary, “everyone has the chance to tell their story. They learn to fully listen and ask questions without any judgement. As participants tell their personal stories without interruption, they will, at the same time, take a new look at themselves and discover what has long been neglected in their inner selves.”
Many community group members have been so devoted to their work that they tend to forget to take care of themselves. The deep listening of narrative therapy allows the workers to find peace in their hearts before taking any action. This peace enables them to be more objective as they look at themselves, their work, and their communities.
Narrative therapy can also be good team-building: members from different coastal community groups are now friends. In April 2022, Vision of Sai Kung (in northeast Hong Kong) and Good Old Soil (on Lantau Island) prepared the amazing ‘Eat According to Nature’ community dinner at a Sai Kung restaurant, using only local ingredients.
The delicious food and the homegrown care that came with it re-connected people, community and nature. The stories behind the food provided a special opportunity to experience Hong Kong’s mountains and waters in a new way.
Let’s Go! You and I has made us aware of our relationships with other communities, said Virginia, a member of Good Old Soil. “It was not as easy as I thought it would be to make contact with fisherfolk from Sai Kung. It took a lot of communication and advance coordination. Also, choosing which type of fish to cook was a conscious environmental decision.”
As people begin to connect with their communities and with nature, their life may never be the same again. The connections produce beauty in people’s hearts.