in Memory of Chiu Sir
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I have the honour of sifting through Chiu (Yan To) Sir's Kamching files that he accumulated for over thirty years. Combing through the files and photographs has brought back many bitter sweet memories. I reaffirmed my belief that the two-year involvement in the Duke of Edinburgh Award (DEA) Scheme and the subsequent five-year volunteer work with the Kamching Association have forever altered the texture and the course of my life.One recurring facial expression that I have observed from the hundreds of photographs that I processed is that the Kamching activities had brought smiles and joy to the participants. Our Kamching brothers and sisters had given unselfishly our time , organised and participated in weekly outdoor activities continuously for over 25 years on limited financial resources until Chiu Sir was battling with terminal cancer. I was honoured to serve under Chiu Sir along with my brothers and sisters for 5 years. Looking back, these five years, as witnessed by the faded photographs , is perhaps the happiest time of my life. I would not trade anything for those precious times that we served and entertained thousands upon thousands of Kamching friends. Though I have forgotten most of their names , their faces still look familiar.
After five years with Kamching Association, I went abroad to further my education, and later established a family and forged a new career in my newly adopted home country - Canada. My association with Chiu Sir and Kamching association gradually withered after the summer of 1974. I had only intermittent contact with Chiu Sir and my Kamching brothers and sisters until early 1977 when I was informed about Chiu Sir's cancerous stomach. Before his passage, I was able to spend some time with him during my frequent trips and get to know more about his work during the intervening years after I left Hong Kong in 1974. After combing through Chiu's files, I had gained a better understanding of his significant contribution to outdoor activities in Hong Kong long after that many of our Kamching brothers and sisters, including myself, moved on with our lives and careers. Chiu Sir, however, steadfastly hung on to his ideal and principles, and carried the spirit of the Kamching torch for all of us until his losing battle with cancer. I was overwhelmed with pride for what Chiu Sir had accomplished but at the same time had a feeling of indebtedness.
My mixed emotions also brought back the memory of my adventures at DEA. The photographs also reminded me of my dearest teacher, mentor, and friend, Chiu Sir, who had contributed significantly to my personal development during my formative years. Chiu Sir took the DEA directive to heart by recognizing his responsibility to young people and dedicated himself to the DEA movement during the early sixties. Chiu Sir had instilled in all the young people that he came to associate with the ideals of DEA and later Kamching. He stressed self-reliance, self-discipline, perseverance, determination, initiative, community involvement, etc. The DEA holders under Chiu Sir's expert guidance have done exceptionally well in life and in their professions throughout the world. We all owe our success to Chiu Sir's personal sacrifice and devotion in the promulgation of DEA and Kamching ideals.
Photos taken during the last days of Chiu Sir's life also tragically reminded me of his personal battle with terminal stomach cancer. His will to survive was exceptionally strong and he did not give up until his physical body failed him at the very end. His family and friends had all rallied around him offering spiritual and financial support.
The files and photos chronicle his pioneer work with the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme in the sixties. His training in the U.K. under Lord Wilson was the highlight of his career. He was also deeply influenced by Mr. G.H. Stokes and later Lord Hunt, the expedition leader for the first successful conquest of Mount Everest. Under his leadership, enrolment for all levels of DEA schemes grew significantly. More importantly, a group of young, energetic and committed leaders had been trained under his expert guidance which laid the foundation for DEA scheme to prosper.
After his resignation from DEA, Chiu Sir continued his work through Kamching (DEA Gold Award Holders) Association and devoted full-time to promote outdoor activities in Hong Kong. He organized the inaugural Round the Hong Kong Island Canoe Race in 1970. Participants of the canoe race would contest for the honour to hold the Sir David Trench Trophy by winning the gruelling six-hour race circumventing Hong Kong Island.
In the seventies and early eighties, Chiu Sir along with Kamching brothers and sisters, established a club called Shan (Mountain) Shui (Water) Rambling. We organized hiking excursions every Sunday exploring the natural splendor and history of Hong Kong. The largest event was attended by twelve hundred weekend hikers from all walks of life. The efforts put in by Chiu Sir helped to promote a sense of community, and the appreciation and protection of the natural environment. These lasting values are responsible for the proliferation of hiking trails established in the country parks since the early eighties.
In 1985, Chiu Sir organized the inaugural Sir Edward Youde Memorial Mountain Marathon Awards to encourage hiking in the Hong Kong wilderness. The annual program was open to people of all ages and hiking abilities. Participants were required to hike a full-marathon (43 km) or a half marathon in Sai Kung Peninsula, Pat Sin Range and Plover Cove Peninsula, and Lantau Island on three separate days. The event promoted physical fitness and acquainted many marathon runners and hikers the beauty of the country parks in Hong Kong. The marathon was organised continuously and well attended until it was suspended in 1996 due to Chiu's deteriorating health. During the course of his battle with cancer, he had the firm belief that he would recover and resume the marathon race.
Chiu Sir had, over the last 34 years, made enormous contributions and influences to many people of Hong Kong. Personally, I have found an added purpose and pleasure in my life. Chiu sir had attained that special sense of satisfaction which comes from helping others to discover hidden abilities and to overcome any challenges. Chiu Sir has finally returned to his creator and rested in peace. Throughout his ordeal, Chiu Sir had not given up hope, he challenged death and was defiant until his last breath. As for the Kamching brothers, sisters and friends, we expressed our gratitude and compassion by reciprocating the love and care that Chiu Sir had given us over the years.
Chiu Sir had contributed significantly to the community in Hong Kong through initially the DEA movement and later the Kamching Association. He is truly a pioneer in the development of future citizens through outdoor activities. Chiu Sir had never consciously requested to be recognised for his valuable contribution to the community.
The Kamching Millennium Photo CD collection that chronicles the history of DEA and Kamching Association since the sixties, represents a tribute to Chiu Sir, his family and his soul mate, Wai Sum. The collection is a vehicle and a witness for our Kamching brothers, sisters and friends to reminisce our inseparable past events in order to establish a sense who we actually were; how we have transformed ourselves through the intervening years; and finally what we aspire to be in the years to come. I found my experience assisting Man Keung assembling the Millennium photo CD collection stirred a lot of bitter sweet memories but spiritually cleansing and uplifting. One can not deny history but overindulgence would lead to despair and sorrow. Chiu Sir has completed his journey in this world and we should learn from his successes as well as his failings so that we can strive to our fullest potential in our years ahead.
For our brothers, sisters and friends residing in the global village, Kamching will always exist in our hearts and souls. In response to the challenge of the new millennium, we have reengineered and reinvented Kamching in Cyberspace, where we will be connected via the information highway. We have dedicated the Millennium CD to Chiu Sir and his family. We are going to dedicate kamching.com to the next generation of Kamching brothers, sisters and friends so that the Kamching spirit will continue to flourish and pass on. I am confident that through the excellent foundation that we have laid in the past, each and everyone of us will find our own callings and keep the eternal Kamching flame burning brightly in Cyberspace and in every corner of the world wherever we go. We will always be guided by the true Kamching spirit - to overcome adversity and never give up.
Jim Chim
April 16, 2000
Vancouver, Canada