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Chan Siu Cheuk
Striving for a meaningful life
By Ada Shum
During the interview with Mr. Chan Siu Cheuk, the headmaster of Christian Zheng Sheng College, he often repeated the catchphrase, “love and care with realistic expectations”.
This short phrase is what motivated Mr. Chan to establish Zheng Sheng College on Cheung Chau.
It is the first secondary school in Hong Kong to endeavor to educate and counsel teenage drug addicts.
Since being founded in 1995, the school has helped to rehabilitate more than 300 troubled teens.
“Our attitude towards the students is ‘love and care while being realistic,’ meaning we should compose our expectations with the consideration of reality,” said Mr. Chan.
He doesn't expect much from his students.
Said he: “Be happy and I hope they will be able to find a job that can develop their own strengths and can earn a living.”
Mr. Chan highly values hands on experience when it comes to learning practical skills.
To give the students the opportunity to practise what they learn in the classroom, he has established various self-funding businesses, including a teahouse, a pizza house, and an advertising and production firm.
“I must be confident of their being able to run the business.
“If not, how can I persuade my students to abstain from their bad habits and embrace a new and normal lifestyle?
“In fact, many businesses are earning profits.”
Mr. Chan personally believes that everyone has a second chance.
Mr. Chan was a rebellious youth.
He tended to be disobedient and intractable.
His classmates even dubbed him “Crazy Cheuk.”
He admitted that he had no interest in studying at all.
“I remember that my English teacher once said that I was hopeless.
“It was unforgettable,” he recalled.
But his life changed when he studied in the United States and joined the Christian Fellowship.
“A priest at the Christian Fellowship once told me, though, that he was not sure about whether my decision was right or wrong.
“He could tell me that one’s life would be full of regrets if one missed the chance to challenge himself.
“That’s why I started doing what I’m doing now,” said Mr. Chan.
With his achievements in teenage counselling and social services, Mr. Chan was honored as one of the Ten Outstanding Young Persons in 2000.
Reflecting upon his experience, Mr. Chan said it was not an easy road to establish the school.
“To be honest,” said Mr. Chan, “I thought of giving up when I faced difficulties.”
During his days in Zheng Sheng College, Mr. Chan experienced depression, especially when he heard of his students taking drugs again after they left the school.
“Yet, I often regain motivation and energy when I look back my life.
“I know that I have received thousands of benedictions from God.
“This is time for me to pay back.”
Making life meaningful is Mr. Chan’s lifelong goal.
“And my religious belief lets me realize that a meaningful life requires the sharing of love and care with others,” said Mr. Chan.
“I hope that not only my students, but also other teens can receive love and caring.
“I hope to help more, as many as I can.”
