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新一期季刊隆重登場！

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Monica Lau

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小善行帶來大意義！| 何苗春暉 劉馬露明 鍾明慧

With spring’s arrival comes a promise of renewal—a season that invites us to grow, connect, and reflect. The upcoming month of March holds a special place in my heart, not only for its blossoming energy but also for the celebration of International Women’s Day on March 8—a day that fills me with gratitude for the women who have paved the way forward, for those breaking barriers every day, and for our shared journey toward a world where every voice is heard and valued. This month, I am reminded that empowerment is not a solo act, but a collective strength forged from sharing stories of courage and community.<h4>A Bit More Than Arts Festival 2025: My Visit with Ida Lam</h4>The JES Network is a platform which we created to bring together women from our Most Successful Women Award recipients, like-minded individuals who share the passion of living life fully, meaningfully, with purpose. &nbsp;Earlier this month, I attended the opening ceremony of the A Bit More Than Arts Festival 2025, hosted by the Arts with the Disabled Association Hong Kong. &nbsp;Chaired by Ms. Ida Lam, a 2024 JESSICA Success Women Awards honoree, the festival embodies the association’s mission of “Art for All, Abilities Unlimited.” &nbsp;For years, they have championed equal opportunities for people with disabilities to explore art, hone their talents, and foster inclusion.<img src="https://prd-cdn.jessicahk.com/IMG_1591x1_39538a813f.jpg" alt="IMG_1591x1.jpg">Themed “The Things Around Us,” the festival featured works from the Hong Kong Jockey Club Community Project Grant – Inclusive Arts Initiative. Artists shared their stories through paintings, ceramics, and lanterns, weaving together memories and emotions. The opening, inspired by The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, showcased performances by a band, percussionists, and dancers—all individuals with disabilities. Their passion was electric, captivating everyone present.A highlight of the event was the fashion show, where models wore costumes designed by participants of the Costume Design and Production Workshop. The creativity and care in every stitch spoke volumes about the artists’ dedication. The inclusion of sign language interpreters ensured accessibility for hearing and visually impaired attendees, emphasizing the event’s commitment to inclusion.<figure class="image"><img src="https://prd-cdn.jessicahk.com/IMG_1834_1_5e4b347a96.jpg" alt="IMG_1834 (1).jpg"></figure><img src="https://prd-cdn.jessicahk.com/IMG_1885x1_b11a99d3b9.jpg" alt="IMG_1885x1.jpg">Watching these artists tell their stories through movement, music, and design, I came to understand that true art transcends physical limitations. Beyond just art, it was a bridge that connected us across differences, inviting a deep sense of empathy and teaching me how much we can learn from those who see the world differently. I left feeling grateful for the reminder that true strength lies in lifting each other up and making space for every voice to be heard.<h4>Nurturing Tomorrow: The Children’s Character Festival</h4>Looking ahead, I eagerly anticipate the Children’s Character Festival, a ground-breaking initiative brought to life by StorySeeds and CCF2025 by three extraordinary members of the JES Network — Christine Ma, Joanna Hotung, and Vivian Chung. &nbsp;Supported by JEMS Academy, this festival celebrates compassion, resilience, and responsibility. &nbsp;As a mother of three, its mission resonates deeply: raising children who are not only successful but also empathetic, confident, and dedicated to bettering their communities.<img src="https://prd-cdn.jessicahk.com/IMG_20241204_WA_0010_63493f8dce.jpg" alt="IMG-20241204-WA0010.jpg">The Children’s Character Festival invites children aged 3 to 10 to craft stories about kindness through illustrations, writing, or any medium of their choosing. Participants then present their stories in English during the competition, sharing their experiences with judges and the audience. It is a beautiful blend of creativity and character-building for the next generation.Christine Ma-Lau, a 2018 JESSICA Success Women Awards honoree and a friend of more than 30 years (!), founded the JEMS Character Academy in 2009 and the Character Education Foundation in 2016. Her work focuses on helping children develop responsibility, empathy, resilience, and confidence — qualities that are increasingly important in a world where artificial intelligence may handle tasks but cannot replicate human virtues.<figure class="image"><img src="https://prd-cdn.jessicahk.com/Christine_239137a18e.jpg" alt="Christine.jpg"><figcaption>Christine Ma</figcaption></figure>Joanna Hotung, a 2015 JESSICA Success Women Awards recipient, brings over 20 years of experience in early childhood education. &nbsp;She has established a children’s gallery, a kindergarten, and the Hotung Mills Education Foundation, making significant contributions to the field of children’s education.<figure class="image"><img src="https://prd-cdn.jessicahk.com/Joanna_Hotung_6721eb89e7.jpg" alt="Joanna Hotung.jpg"><figcaption>Joanna Hotung</figcaption></figure>Vivian Chung, a 2020 JESSICA Women of Excellence Awards honoree, is a longtime friend who founded Story Jungle in 2005. &nbsp;Her organization provides English reading programs and workshops in primary and secondary schools across Hong Kong. &nbsp;In 2015, she established the charity REACH to offer English reading opportunities to underprivileged communities.<figure class="image"><img src="https://prd-cdn.jessicahk.com/Vivian_Chung_1b12d553fc.jpg" alt="Vivian Chung.jpg"><figcaption>Vivian Chung</figcaption></figure>Together, these women are sowing seeds for a future where knowledge and kindness flourish. &nbsp;Through the JES Network—focused on entrepreneurship, mentorship, sustainability, impact, and sports—they’re creating a space for women and youth to learn and grow.<h4>A Legacy of Impact: MSW 2025</h4>As March unfolds, we are also preparing to unveil the JESSICA Most Successful Women Awards (MSW) 2025 — a tradition that has honoured women who inspire, innovate, and uplift for over two decades. More than just an award, MSW is a movement to amplify voices and ignite change across Asia. &nbsp;Each honoree’s story plays a role in the larger narrative of possibility, a reminder that when women come together, we create something greater.<img src="https://prd-cdn.jessicahk.com/MSW_2025_soon_c98aa2d8bc.jpg" alt="MSW2025_soon.jpg">The winners of the 2025 JESSICA Successful Women Awards will be announced on March 3. &nbsp;As we celebrate our 25th anniversary, our mission and values remain unchanged: celebrate women’s achievements and promote women's empowerment, inspiring women to courageously pursue their dreams.With gratitude, Jessica

Jessica Ng

Founder

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February Insights: Empowering Women and The Next Generation

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積極為女性及我們的下一代賦能！

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全港首個「兒童品格節」Children's Character Festival將於3月舉行！讓孩子們分享「善行真故事」！培養下一代成為自信善良的公民！

「如果有人聽我講故事，我做到 80 歲都會繼續做，因為我真的相信這份工作的意義。」
若要送孩子一份終身受用的禮物，你想到的是甚麼？古語有云：「授人以魚，不如授人以 漁。」Story Jungle 及 REACH 創辦人鍾明慧 (Vivian) 認為，授予孩子完善的閱讀能力，讓他們能夠親手打開一道一道知識大門，通往社會各個領域，便是給小孩最美好的一份禮物。
Text: Moli Ng   Photo: Raymond Chan
<h2 class="p2">發現故事力量無邊界</h2>
在美國就讀初中時，Vivian 到醫院做義工，原以為會接觸到醫學知識，豈料醫生請她為院內的貧窮小孩及少數族裔說故事，抹齒難忘的經歷令她發現故事的力量。「當時有數個衣衫破爛的黑人小孩，全不諳英文，但當我說故事時，他們全情投入其中。說著說著，引來了一群人圍繞身邊。當時意識到故事有一種魔力，讓不同背景及語言的人走進共通世界。」大學畢業後，Vivian 任職於加洲的一間男童院，住院的孩子患有嚴重情緒及行為問題，其病歷檔案厚如字典。「他們被虐待、性侵，受盡超出想像的折磨，我們沒經歷過這些痛苦，沒法感同身受，也很難作出安撫。」即使際遇南轅北轍，故事卻化成一個共同世界，讓彼此聯繫起來。一旦說故事，所有事情就『叮!』一聲變得截然不同。我們可以放低一切，那一刻也只屬於我們，可以一起逃到故事世界，幻想自己是另一角色。」從事小朋友相關的工作後，Vivian 確切感受到故事那無邊無界的力量，亦發現故事可以帶來更多知識，便決意朝著故事世界發展自己的道路。
<img loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-75648 size-large" src="https://prd-cdn.jessicahk.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/MG_4818x1XXX-799x1024.jpg" alt="鍾明慧, Vivian Chung, Story Jungle, REACH, 閱讀, 故事, Women of Excellence, Women of Excellence 2020," width="799" height="1024" srcset="https://prd-cdn.jessicahk.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/30124239/MG_4818x1XXX-799x1024.jpg 799w, https://prd-cdn.jessicahk.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/30124239/MG_4818x1XXX-234x300.jpg 234w, https://prd-cdn.jessicahk.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/30124239/MG_4818x1XXX-768x984.jpg 768w, https://prd-cdn.jessicahk.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/30124239/MG_4818x1XXX-1198x1536.jpg 1198w, https://prd-cdn.jessicahk.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/30124239/MG_4818x1XXX-1598x2048.jpg 1598w, https://prd-cdn.jessicahk.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/30124239/MG_4818x1XXX.jpg 1728w" sizes="(max-width: 799px) 100vw, 799px" />
<h2 class="p2">由故事到「閱讀」— 給孩子的禮物</h2>
Vivian 相信「書中自有黃金屋」，回流香港的她設法將這些 「黃金」送給小朋友，然而要得到這些黃金，首先要讓孩子學懂 「閱讀」，才可發掘藏於故事的知識寶庫。「著手進行說故事的工作，才發現 Reading 是最重要、最值錢的，也是最應該送給小朋友的一份禮物。閱讀是一條鑰匙，能夠開拓知識及想像空間，讓人走到無邊無際的地方。」她認為香港的孩子大多不缺資源，而且大部分家長都明瞭閱讀的重要性，欠缺的只是一個培養閱讀的方法。有見及此，Vivian 便成立 Story Jungle，旨在透過故事來培養孩子的英語閱讀能力，開展孩子眼界。「我幻想孩子就像幼苗般，而這個森林有無盡資源，讓他們吸收到各種故事，一步一步打好穩固根基，長成高大林木，才可企得高、看得遠。Reading can change everything !」
<h2 class="p2">教學特色：度身訂造閱讀課程</h2>
有調查指，美國有六成小朋友都沒法有效率地閱讀，大部分都靠死記爛背，缺乏紮實基礎；至於在英語為非母語的香港，情況則令 Vivian 更擔心。「很多小朋友需要深入引導才可理解整本圖書，沒法有效地自讀。當 Reading 能力不足，沒有 Input，自然沒良好的 Writing 及 Speaking 能力，引發連串英語問題。」她又指，香港的教育制度存有漏洞，未能有系統地教導學童閱讀，令很多老師深感頭痛。而 Story Jungle 的角色， 便以合作伙伴的形式，與學校商討如何推動閱讀。「我遇過的所有校長及教師，無一不了解閱讀的重要，每個都想做得更好。我們會跟校長討論學校最需要的是甚麼，可以推動哪些層面的活動。每間學校都有各自的目標，Story Jungle 的獨特之處，在於我們會為學校度身訂造課程活動，跟老師商量教學上有何難處，細分清楚要以哪層面為出發點。」大眾對於「閱讀」 的認知，可能純粹是看完一本書，然而 Vivian 指閱讀包含多個層面，是很複雜的事情。「要如何做到最好，送給小朋友呢？我不斷嘗試各種方法，希望他們可以得到這份禮物。而我的方法就是『複雜事情簡單做』，將 Reading『斬件』，細分為閱讀能力、閱讀理解及興趣動機，因應不同對象的程度及需求，度身訂造一系列的導讀活動。」
<figure id="attachment_75650" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-75650" style="width: 1020px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-75650 size-large" src="https://prd-cdn.jessicahk.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/001p03X-1024x683.jpg" alt="鍾明慧, Vivian Chung, Story Jungle, REACH, 閱讀, 故事, Women of Excellence, Women of Excellence 2020," width="1020" height="680" srcset="https://prd-cdn.jessicahk.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/30124521/001p03X-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://prd-cdn.jessicahk.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/30124521/001p03X-300x200.jpg 300w, https://prd-cdn.jessicahk.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/30124521/001p03X-768x512.jpg 768w, https://prd-cdn.jessicahk.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/30124521/001p03X.jpg 1430w" sizes="(max-width: 1020px) 100vw, 1020px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-75650" class="wp-caption-text">Vivian 為學校度身訂造完善的閱讀活動，舉行多場大型 story telling、角色扮演遊戲等，小朋友反應均非常熱烈。</figcaption></figure>
<h2 class="p2">從困難中思索新方向</h2>
在漫長的教育路上，總有遇上障礙的時候，而 Vivian 則視難題為寶貴的課堂。「有次在偏遠地區的學校舉辦閱讀活動，孩子們雀躍到不行，自己也很高興。但事後英文老師跟我說，他們需要的遠遠超越單純的閱讀興趣，他們要吸收實實在在的知識，否則沒法進入主流學校，沒法在香港社會生存。這又讓我重新思索，閱讀究竟是甚麼一回事。」到成為人母後，她又遇上另一大挑戰 — 教導自己的兒子，令她更明白學生家長的難處。「原來教自己小朋友，與教別人的小朋友，完完全全是兩回事！本以為自己身藏許多法寶，應該不成問題，誰料教導大仔卻是個大挑戰，當時還笑說，他真的要幫我『拆招牌』 了！」長子遇到的自讀難題推動 Vivian 更努力作研究，設計更多元化的活動，並更加了解到家長在教導子女時的瓶頸位，之後便開始舉辦愈來愈多家長班，教導伴讀技巧及發音等。
<h2 class="p2">弱勢社群 — 既是起點，亦是終點</h2>
Vivian 自小希望從事與小朋友相關的工作，她不但成功達成理想，且一直都在這條路上向前邁進，令她自覺是位幸運兒。「小朋友給予我很大力量，他們天真無邪，跟他們一起時，可以很純粹、很專注做好一件事，當中充滿歡樂和希望。」然而，在美國的經驗及長久的教學路上，她意識到很多孩子因出身及經歷而深感無助，即使她沒法靠一人之力改變或主宰其命運，仍希望可以為孩子做些甚麼，令他們有更多機會去發揮。於是她在 2015 年成立慈善團體 REACH，幫助弱勢社群的小朋友建立閱讀能力，從而獲得更多知識，有平等的機會去開拓眼界。「回港後，一直都有參與義工服務及慈善工作，亦因而認識了丈夫。我們都深信，為弱勢社群培養閱讀能力，是最有成效的援助方式。希望 Story Jungle 賺到的錢，可以投放去 REACH 的運作上。特別要多謝一位姓陳的慈善家，他以個人名義捐了巨額給我們，目前已資助超過 10,000 位學生參與閱讀活動。」
走在教學路上二十載，Vivian 不但沒有停下來的意思，反而希望作出更多嘗試。「有一位學生，我由小五教到佢中六，他是個非常樂天、出色的人。幾年前他離世了，我在葬禮當天，承諾會積極地做好教育工作，所以我會不斷研究、不斷學習，讓今天的我打倒昨天的我。」
<img loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-75651 size-large" src="https://prd-cdn.jessicahk.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/001p04X-1024x683.jpg" alt="鍾明慧, Vivian Chung, Story Jungle, REACH, 閱讀, 故事, Women of Excellence, Women of Excellence 2020," width="1020" height="680" srcset="https://prd-cdn.jessicahk.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/30124605/001p04X-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://prd-cdn.jessicahk.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/30124605/001p04X-300x200.jpg 300w, https://prd-cdn.jessicahk.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/30124605/001p04X-768x512.jpg 768w, https://prd-cdn.jessicahk.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/30124605/001p04X.jpg 1410w" sizes="(max-width: 1020px) 100vw, 1020px" />
PROFILE 
鍾明慧 Vivian Chung 
Story Jungle 及 REACH 創辦人 
擁有美國哥倫比亞大學教育心理學碩士及美國加州大學心理學學士學位。2005 年創辦英語閱讀教育學校 Story Jungle，致力推動 3 至 18 歲 學生英語閱讀，在本港多間中小學及幼稚園等舉辦各類型的閱讀課程及講座。2015 年創立慈善團體 REACH，積極為弱勢社群提供英語閱讀機會及能力。
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【Women of Excellence Awards 2020】閱讀是我給孩子的最佳禮物 鍾明慧

Vivian Chung

JESSICA 會員

Vivian Chung