THE PUREST PEOPLE
This project creates portraits of people with Down Syndrome, capturing their pure essence in the form of beautiful photography. Through launching public exhibitions on these artworks, I aspire to enhance the society’s general understanding of my models. The biggest reason why most people look differently at people with Down Syndrome is that we don’t see them as individuals, but as patients. Not knowing how to approach or befriend them, some might simply discriminate them to escape from the difficulties. However, they are a chosen group of people. Genetic changes turn each of them into someone with innocent appearance, kind heart and free spirit. They are also emotionally expressive: when they feel happy, they will laugh out loud; when they feel sad, they will shed their tears. One day in my secondary school life, my English teacher talked about Down Syndrome. It was a long while ago but I remember he said, “People with Down Syndrome are the purest people in the world.” This sounded very interesting to me because I had never had a chance to contact anyone with Down Syndrome. The story continues with an assignment from my university photography class, titled “Human Faces”. The special features of people with Down Syndrome make me ponder on an intriguing question: why do they share similar faces – single eyelids, round faces and huge smiles? Perhaps, this is the gift from the above, providing them a world of fairness and minimal differences, without firm judgments on beauty or ugliness. Out of curiosity, I got to know more about them through volunteering for the Hong Kong Down Syndrome Association since the year of 2012. While I took photos of their events, I had the privilege to engage with them in conversations and activities, being touched by their purity and warmth. So I decided to provide them a chance to walk into the studio, like the other beautiful models, to shine on the set with their radiance. Those delightful moments are indeed what I am now sharing with the public. This project is my university graduation project. It has been a great honour to collaborate with the Hong Kong Down Syndrome Association, with the generous support from different organisations. Without any one of them, the photographs will not be exhibited three times from Jan to April in 2015. As a return for their charity, I will give back all the photographs to the participants at the end of all the exhibitions.
最純的人
是次計劃拍攝一班唐氏綜合症的朋友，捕捉他們最純真的一面，然後以攝影展覽作為平台，讓大眾有機會去認識真正的他們。
很多時候我們都因智力的差距,不知應該如何與他們溝通，便往往選擇避開他們, 形成歧視。但其實他們是很特別的一群，基因的變化令他們成為了一班純真，善良，無機心的人。他們率直感性，開心就笑，難過就哭。
中學時老師在課堂上無意談及他們，記得他其中一句：“他們是世界上最純潔的人。” 這話從此引發我對這班朋友的興趣,而大學二年級一份關於“人類面孔”的攝影功課更令我深思:為什麼他們的面孔如此相似 ? 單眼皮，圓臉，加上一抺陽光般的笑容 ! 我推想，這可能是上天給他們的恩賜, 讓他們的世界沒有分歧，不分彼此，不論美醜。
在好奇心的驅使下, 我主動進入唐氏綜合症協會做義務攝影師，在當義工的兩三年期間，透過不同活動及對話，我確確實實被他們的特質所吸引，便決定幫他們拍攝一些漂亮的相片，讓他們開心一下，並同時作為展覽，告訴大眾，他們是一班很可愛，善良的人，値得大家主動認識了解。
這計劃是本人的大學畢業作品，有幸能與香港唐氏綜合症協會的合作，同時得到許多機構認同及支持，使照片得以於今年一月至四月，設有三次展覽。展覽完畢，所有展覽的相片將會送給相片中的小主角, 大人物。
CHU WING DUNG
The police are heroes to Chu Wing Dung, who has aspired to be a police officer since a young age. His immense admiration for the police encouraged him to join the HKDSA’s Venture Scouts, 84th Kowloon Group at the age of 12, and he has been striving to become the hero he wishes to be by serving the society as a member of the uniformed group for 13 years now.朱詠冬
詠冬自幼已非常崇拜警察，經常模仿其角色，覺得警察就是英雄。因此他自12歲開始加入唐氏會84旅童軍團，至今已經13年了。過去他參與了很多童軍的義工服務，因為童軍讓他感覺如警察一樣，可以穿上制服，為他人服務，成為他心目中理想的英雄。
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EMILY WONG
‘Nice to meet you! My name is Emily and I’m 19. I enjoy working in the Un Chau workshop with my friends.’ Emily always carries a Ukulele with her so she can play it and sing along wherever she goes. She can play many children’s songs and folk tunes, and hopes to learn more to perform for her uncle at home. Emily is very grateful for the praises and appreciation she has received, and has made it her goal to perform on stage with a confident smile in future.黃曦彤
「我叫黃曦彤，今年19歲，在元州工場和朋友工作很開心。」她喜歡一邊彈小結他一邊唱歌，也會彈很多兒歌民謠，她希望可以學會更多歌曲，讓她能回家給姑丈表演及得到他的讚賞。每次的讚賞都讓曦彤感到十分開心，她因此給自己定下目標：將來要帶著美麗的笑容，充滿自信地表演。
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NATHAN LEUNG
Nathan, 16, is a form 4 student at an international school. He is passionate about sports, especially basketball, from which he has developed a strong build. He is also a music lover. Since he was twelve, he has learnt to sing, write lyrics, and play the guitar and the jazz drums on his own.Nathan considers the ‘limitations’ others see in him as what makes him ‘special’. He hopes to take the stage and win the applause and admiration from all of you with his singing and special charm someday.
梁曉丰
他今年十六歲，在國際學校讀中學四年級。他熱愛運動，特別是籃球，因為籃球給予他強健的體魄。此外，音樂更是他的最愛。從十二歲起，他便自學唱歌、填詞，玩結他、鋼琴和打爵士鼓。
別人眼中看他的局限，他稱之為「特別」。他夢想有一天能站在台上演唱，讓大家為「特別」的梁曉丰感到驕傲。
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HAPPY CHOI
Happy is cheerful and optimistic, as her name aptly suggests. She fell in love with the melodica the very first time she heard it as a child. She joined a class and has been performing the melodica since. She enjoys playing the instrument very much, as it helps her discover her true self.
蔡樂然
樂然擁有樂觀的性格，自小對音樂充滿熱誠，當她首次遇到口風琴時，就已經深深被它吸引着，同時又剛好有相關的興趣班報讀，從此就踏上演奏口風琴這道路。樂然非常享受演奏口風琴，在演奏中讓她找到真正的自己。
CHEUNG WAI CHUN
spinning his yo-yo in the photo, has just turned 16. Fun-loving and outgoing, Wai Chun never misses an opportunity to do what he likes. Four years ago, he saw a schoolmate play yo-yo during recess, and immediately became interested. After talking to the schoolmate and researching online, he has mastered the yo-yo through practice, developing quite a few special tricks on his own. Yo-yo is now Wai Chun’s favourite pastime. He would carry a yo-yo wherever he goes, and is always happy to demonstrate his superb skills.
鄭偉駿
剛剛16歲的偉駿，是位活潑開朗的大男孩。他的性格開朗，愛玩和單純。只要是自己喜愛的事，想起或見到便會馬上去做，就如相中的他，「玩搖搖」便是他自學而成的。大約4年前，他看見有同學於小息時玩搖搖，他非常感興趣，於是便向這位同學請教及自己上網找資料自學。就是這樣自己不斷摸索，還自創了不少花式，直至現在「搖搖」已成為他的至愛。無論走到哪裡，他都會隨身帶著它，而且樂於表演給別人欣賞。
BETTY PUI
Betty has mastered all four styles of swimming when she was still in primary school. She goes to swim every week and has made many friends in the swimming team, with whom she has attended various competitions and built up great rapport as a valued team member. A generous friend and avid talker, Betty is much loved by everyone who knows her.
甄霈汶
由小學時學會四式游泳後，每個星期她也會游泳，游泳簡直就是她的標記！游泳更讓她認識了一班志同道合的好朋友，一起出隊參加比賽，互相照應，充滿團隊精神。她性格爽朗又愛說話，相識滿天下，最喜歡和別人聊天與分享，以「人見人愛，車見車載」來形容她最適合不過了。
Although a little stocky in build, Aaron is in fact an agile dancer with a strong passion for both performing and singing. He is a core member of the Down Syndrome Dance Group and the Dragon Dance Group, in which he plays the tail of the lion, a role that requires steadiness as well as flexibility. A true ‘people person’, Aaron is never afraid of speaking and presenting himself in front of others, so there is little surprise that he always becomes the centre of attention wherever he goes. His generosity has won him friendship with everyone in Down’s groups.
他是個充滿活力、有責任感、有風度而熱情的男士。他令人深刻之處是他工作時盡力，遊玩時盡情。要是因工作而預知會遲到參與活動，他必然會給你一個電話，免卻你在苦候他。
雖然他的身軀穩重，但他的動作卻很靈活，他喜歡唱歌和跳舞，在舞蹈團中，他是重要的一員；在舞獅隊中，他的穩重、靈活，讓他成為隊中不可或缺的獅尾。由於喜歡與人交談及表現才華，而且任何地方都可以成為他的舞台，因此常令他成為備受注目的小主角。同時由於他熱情待友，因此他深受其他唐氏朋友的歡迎。
ENOCH AISIN GIORO
Enoch Aisin Gioro is a descendant of the family that ruled China during the Qing Dynasty. Sociable, committed and conversant in basic English, Enoch has secured a job in a restaurant kitchen. Enoch has a wide range of interests. He is fond of Northern Shaolin martial art, and has also dedicated much effort to learning Cantonese opera. He loves taking pictures of the nature and had won a second prize in a photography competition. When he feels like staying in, Enoch would practise his Chinese calligraphy and computer skills. Enoch is living life to the fullest with his diverse and rich life experience.愛新覺羅札霖
帶有愛新覺羅清朝皇族血統的他喜歡與人溝通，做事盡心盡力，而且能以簡單的英語溝通，因此獲得在餐廳工作的機會。他愛嘗試和學習，尤其喜歡學習武術，精於北少林拳。他亦喜歡藝術活動，不斷努力學習粵劇造詣，反覆練習不放棄。他亦曾在攝影比賽中獲得亞軍，技術備受肯定，他最愛拍攝大自然的花草形態。除了有活潑好動的一面外，他還能靜心學習寫毛筆字及電腦。他擁有多元化的嗜好，豐盛的人生體驗，以及多色彩的人生。
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KITTY KONG
Kitty is not too comfortable with communicating in words, and prefers to express herself with drawing. Through Kitty’s vivid and colourful pictures, we can get to know her warm, endearing thoughts, and feel a teenage girl’s longing for marriage and a happy family of her own. Besides drawing, Kitty is also passionate for dancing and swimming, and has won first runner-up in a swimming championship in Taiwan.
江倩寧
她性格內向，不習慣用語言與人溝通，所以喜歡用畫作表達自己的思想，在她的畫作裏你會認識到她可愛的一面。她喜歡用鮮艷的色彩繪畫出她對家庭、對結婚的憧憬，一個妙齡女孩的夢想 - 組織一個快樂的家庭。除了繪畫外，她還喜歡跳舞及游泳，並曾於台灣游泳邀請賽中奪取季軍。
TOM CHAN
Seeing the active and confident young man Tom is today, who could have guessed that he used to be shy and introvert? Probably best described as ‘multi-talented’, Tom is good at all styles of swimming, martial art, dragon dance, rowing, the violin, Cantonese opera and even inputting Chinese using Cangjie input method. He is adventurous and always learning new things. Tom has represented Hong Kong in the international swimming championships held by the Down Syndrome International Swimming Organization and won numerous awards. The eye-opening experience has broadened his horizons and motivated him to improve every day.
陳海釗
誰又會想到眼前的海釗以往曾是一個內向害羞的人呢？現在的海釗動靜皆宜，以「百般武藝集於一身」來形容他再合適不過：游泳四式、國術、舞獅、划艇、小提琴、粵劇、電腦倉頡等等，幾乎每樣新事物均熱切嘗試！海釗多次代表香港出外參與世界唐氏游泳錦標賽，多次榮獲比賽獎項讓他擴闊視野，更體會需不斷自我追求，因為世界真的很大呢！
KITTY ZHENG
Gentle and sweet, Kitty has a soft voice and very organised mind. When asked a question, she would always think carefully before responding because she wishes to think carefully and give the most sincere, truthful answer. It is always a pleasure to speak with such a thoughtful, adorable young woman.
Kitty is kind, sensitive and considerate, an angel who brightens up our day.鄭雅賢
她是個文靜可愛的少女，她說話時，聲音很柔和，內容很有組織，您問她問題，她會想過才回答您，她這樣做不是因為保護自己的防衛意識，而是她希望思索清楚之後，給您最真誠、最貼近事實和她內心所想的答案。所以，和她交談，真的很舒心，她就是個這麼真誠、可愛的女孩。她個性溫純、內斂，也很懂得為人設想，她會主動關心您的感受，是個令人窩心的小天使。
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LAM TOO
learned to play badminton from his father, a badminton coach, at an early age. Today he plays like a professional player, having won numerous gold medals at school competitions. When he was younger, he was so active and loved running around so much that his parents had to call the police for help. Now a mature young man, he would tell his father whenever he goes out, and is always helping with cooking, laundry, mopping the floor and other household chores. His dream is to become a professional barista.
林芏
自幼跟隨羽毛球教練的父親長大，父親傳授了他一身揮灑自如的球技，在學校球場上奪得金牌。小時候的他活潑好動，最愛東奔西跑，有次父母也追不上，嚇得要報警求助。今日的他不再任性，每次外出都會告知父親；洗衫、拖地、煮飯等家務是他拿手好戲，喜歡做家務的他原來夢想是成為一個專業的咖啡師。
Christine LAU
Enthusiastic about music and dancing, Christine started practising ballet when she was four and has now attained Grade 8 qualification from the Royal Academy of Dance. She has won the Highly Commended Award in modern dance at the Hong Kong Inter-school Dance Festival twice. Christine is also a very good drummer and was twice in the top three at the Hong Kong Synergy 24 Drum Competition.
Christine believes that learning is about perseverance and facing up to challenges. She is focused and persistent about her studies as artists do, yet she is also as cheerful and sociable as others with Down syndrome. Christine is now a Green Leaf Artist (Dancing) at Arts with the Disabled Association Hong Kong.
劉理盈
她是個青春的美少女，她的笑容，清純、親切，在舞台上她是自信而堅定的。她熱愛舞蹈和音樂，4歲已開始接觸芭蕾舞，現時已考獲英國皇家舞蹈學院八級資格；她更在校際舞蹈節比賽中以現代舞兩度獲得甲級獎成績，是個多元舞林高手。除了舞蹈外，她也愛打中國鼓，她曾在香港活力鼓廿四式西擂台賽中兩度奪三甲位置。
對於她來說，學習是一種堅持，也是自我挑戰。她擁有藝術家的特質：對學習堅持、執著，但她也有大多數唐氏人士的特性：樂於與人溝通、愛笑。
她是香港展能藝術會的青葉藝術家(舞蹈)。
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PETER PANG
Always a center of attention, Peter is kind and sociable, but always determined to achieve his goals. He has trained and competed in a variety of activities, with football being his recent favourite. Thanks to his patient coach and like-minded teammates, Peter has developed great interest in football and nothing can stop him from attending his training session every Saturday, when he would run around the pitch in his bright yellow jersey and cleats like a professional football player!彭偉雄
開心、和善的性格讓偉雄備受愛戴，身邊有不少朋友。加上他勇於嘗試，不畏困難，至今已參與了很多不同的訓練和比賽。足球便是其中一項，透過教練悉心的教導，加上有一班志趣相投的朋友，讓偉雄對足球的興趣與日俱增，至今已成為他每個星期必參與的訓練了。每個星期六穿上黃色球衣，着上釘鞋的偉雄看起來特別精神奕奕！
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WU HOI YUE
Hoi Yue became fascinated with the colourful masks and beautiful costumes worn by Cantonese opera singers ever since his mother took him along to Cantonese opera performances when he was a small child. Hoi Yue joined the Down Syndrome Cantonese Opera Group in 2009, and besides the weekly training session he also practises frequently at home. Hoi Yue used to be a member of the Dragon Dance group but has left in order to better focus on learning Cantonese opera. He never regretted the decision because he was determined to develop a career in Cantonese opera. With ‘learn more, do better’ as his motto, he enjoys performing on stage and is greatly motivated by the applause he has received. Hoi Yue is particularly grateful to his teachers Ms Ng and Ms Chu for their guidance, which allows him to enjoy the satisfaction of performing Cantonese opera. Besides Cantonese opera, Hoi Yue also likes to sing pop songs, especially Jacky Cheung’s tunes, because he thinks it is a good way to master breathing techniques for performing Cantonese opera.
胡海宇
媽媽從小就帶海宇觀賞粵劇，小海宇被粵劇老倌色彩鮮艷的臉譜及醒目的戲服深深吸引着，因此在2009年開始加入唐氏粵劇團學習粵劇，除了每星期一次訓練外，他亦會在家中反覆練習。他更為了專心學習粵劇而退出了龍獅國術隊，雖然如此，他不覺得可惜，因為他很清楚知道自己的目標----一心向粵劇發展。他的座右銘是「學好些、做好些」，他十分享受舞台演出，每次看到觀眾對他的演出給予歡呼拍掌，都給予他很大的鼓舞。他十分敬謝吳老師及朱老師的悉心教導，讓他可以享受粵劇帶來的滿足感。除了鑽研粵劇的做功及武打外，他也喜歡唱歌，尤其喜歡唱張學友的歌曲，因為他期望可透過唱歌學習運氣，藉此對唱粵曲有所幫助。
AMY YUNG
Bouncy and cheerful, Amy loves swimming and moving around as much as her energetic friends do, except that she is particularly well-mannered. Only when she is with her mother or family would she run around happily.Amy is gifted with a remarkable memory for things she has learnt and an adventurous character driven by her natural curiosity. She always smiles sweetly with a tint of shyness as a teenage girl would.
翁欣怡
她是個活潑、可愛的甜心兒，俏皮好動的她喜歡游泳，也喜歡跑跑跳跳，但她卻不會脫韁地到處衝，她可愛之處，就是她只會在得到媽媽的允許和家人的視線範圍下，才會快樂地跑來跑去。
她的記性很好，教過她的，她都會記在心上，她對新事物總帶有好奇心，愛發掘愛嘗試。她的笑容既充滿着甜心兒的燦爛，也帶點少女的羞澀。
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PANDA WONG
Active and energetic, Panda loves dancing and has performed numerous times on stage, where she enjoys herself the most. Panda is a big fan of the Korean pop group Girls’ Generation, and she knows almost all of the group’s tunes and choreography by heart. Where there is music, you will find Panda dancing. The eldest sibling in the family, Panda is always eager to help and care for others.黃希敏
青春活潑的希敏最喜歡跳舞，而且有多次舞台表演經驗，舞台是她最享受的地方，少女時代是希敏最熱愛的偶像，幾乎所有舞步她都能記得，只要有音樂，希敏便能翩翩起舞。希敏在家中排行最大，是大家姐，主動的她喜歡幫助別人，這樣個性的希敏真漂亮。
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RIVER LEUNG
Wearing his eye-catching jersey and a beaming smile, River radiates confidence on the badminton court. When he looks outside the window on a rainy day, you can feel the form one student’s disappointment at not being able to play badminton with his good friends. The ‘sunshine boy’ among his peers is also known to be kind, loving and considerate. If you are upset, River is always there to give you a hug or pat on the shoulder and reassure you with his favourite phrase ‘I will always love you’.
現就讀中一的梁河，穿上一身搶眼的球衣，帶著燦爛的笑容，在羽毛球場上散發着神采！從他看著窗外下大雨而無法外出打羽毛球的失望神情，可知他有多愛跟好友一同享受羽毛球運動的樂趣。他除了是個陽光男孩子外，也有善良、為人著想、充滿愛心的性格。每當身邊的人不開心，他都會走上前拍拍背、來個擁抱，再送一句他的金句「一生一世愛你」。
YAMMY LEUNG
Like any other 16-year-olds, Tammy loves fashion and expressing herself through beautiful clothes and accessories. She is always sharing her happiness through her lovely style and smiling face. She likes dancing, and has learnt to dance as well as to act in plays. Whenever a song by Cantopop star Ray Lam or Korean group Girls’ Generation is played on TV, Tammy will dance graciously to the rhythm like a happy fairy.梁殷慈
十六歲的她與其他女孩子一樣愛美愛裝扮，喜歡透過衣裳及髮飾展現自己可愛、漂亮的一面，加上一張笑臉，總讓人感到她的快樂與無憂。她喜愛跳舞，曾接受跳舞及話劇訓練。而每當電視出現她喜歡的林峯或韓國年輕歌唱組合「少女時代」，她都會跟隨節拍輕快地跳舞，看她翩翩起舞的姿態，活像個活潑舞動的天使。
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CALEB LEE
May appear passive and slow to get excited, but is determined and passionate for the things he loves, such as Taekwondo. Not only would Caleb pay very close attention to his coach’s instructions during class, he would practice what he has learnt every day at home. Having learned Taekwondo for four years, Caleb has learnt the importance of discipline and challenging himself to face up to difficulties. In 2013, he made yet another breakthrough by representing the HKDSA to perform Taekwondo in the Hollywood Plaza shopping mall. We are confident that Caleb will continue to pursue his dreams by exploring new challenges.
李國佑
國佑性格較為慢熱及被動，但卻對於自己鍾情的東西有着一份堅持，學習跆拳道便是一個好例子。他非常熱愛這項運動，在家中他會主動練習所學的技巧；在課堂他會很用心聆聽教練的指導，務求不會錯過任何學習的機會。至今他已持續學習了四年的時間。跆拳道不單讓國佑學習到服從及遵守紀律，而最重要的是讓他能勇於挑戰自我，不畏困難。2013年他作了新嘗試 ─ 代表香港唐氏綜合症協會在荷里活廣場表演跆拳道，他非常享受這次演出。相信將來國佑會作出更多的嘗試，找到自我﹗
WING CHAN
Outgoing and active, Wing loves to laugh and make others laugh. She is straightforward and genuine, somewhat boyish in manner. She likes playing football, travelling and acting in musicals. Loved by everyone around her, Wing is generous and always there to lend a helping hand. She does not like to be called by her full Chinese name, so we call her “Chi Wing” instead.陳姿穎
她是個好動、性格爽朗的女孩，她喜歡笑，也喜歡說笑，她享受與人交談。男仔頭的她不像一般女孩子會矯揉造作，她愛踢足球、愛練習歌舞劇及旅行，在她身上就總會散發一股陽光的氣息！她亦擁有男孩子的義氣，願意幫助別人，所以她很受朋友的歡迎！她常叫我們不要喚她全名，於是我們會跟她說笑叫她姿Wing，其實她的名字是陳姿穎。
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HO SZE LONG
Energetic, agile and focused, Sze Long is always ready to face up to challenges, whether in school or at play. Playing the drums and the melodica and cycling are among his favourite hobbies. Despite his young age, he is a sensitive and thoughtful young man who is always there to care for you and cheer you up with simple body language. He is especially fond of cheering up babies. Sze Long loves talking, helping people and sharing what he has with others. Would you like to be Sze Long’s friend?何思朗
活潑開朗、身手靈活最能形容他的特質。他勇於嘗試，不怕失敗，而且專注力強，無論做功課或是玩樂都願意接受挑戰。他愛玩打鼓、吹口風琴及踏單車。別看他年紀小小，富有同情心的他在你傷心時會懂得用身體語言安慰你，亦會照顧你，特別喜歡哄嬰孩。他喜歡與人交談，而且喜歡服務及幫助別人。他願意與人分享、不計較，你會樂意跟他做朋友麼？
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ANDREW TSE
is well-mannered, generous and kind, and is extremely popular among his peers. Always curious and eager to learn, he is passionate for swimming, football, kung fu, cooking, scouting and any other activities he has a chance to participate in. From a young age, Andrew has been dreaming of becoming a kung fu master like the ones he saw in movies, so his parents decided to enroll him in a class. Andrew fell in love with kung fu instantly, and has twice represented the HKDSA dragon dance and martial art class in competitions. ‘Ranking isn’t really our concern,’ Mr Tse says. ‘The point is to give Andrew the opportunity to try, because we believe his abilities are beyond our expectations.’
謝藝雋
在別人眼中是一個很有禮貌的小朋友，他主動且有愛心，所以很受大家愛戴。
他亦非常好學，無論游泳、足球、功夫、烹飪，還是小童軍活動等，他都樂此不疲地參與，尤其是功夫他特別感興趣。因他從小便很仰慕電影中懂功夫的人物，很想像他們一樣擁有一身好武功。父母為了完成他的夢想，於是決定給他嘗試。沒想到一學他便愛上，至今他已兩次代表唐氏會龍獅國術班參加比賽。爸爸表示﹕「不論名次是甚麼，我們都會給他機會去嘗試，我們相信他的能力是超過我們所想的。」我們亦相信藝雋在父母的支持下，將會活出一片新天地﹗