One success story is Chloe, a student in their programme last year, who started out very shy when speaking Chinese. At the beginning, Lau says, she would only respond when prompted and was hesitant to engage. But things began to change as Chloe and her tutor, Annie, grew closer. With Annie’s encouragement and support, Lau says Chloe started gaining confidence and making incredible progress in class. She began creating her own flashcards for her favourite words, carefully learning their pronunciation and writing them down. Her dedication was inspiring and Chloe has achieved good grades in Chinese listening and reading and has even started reading Chinese books on her own. She even translates for her mother when they’re out and about.

Lau says that stories like Chloe’s remind them why they do what they do, “It’s about empowering students to succeed and seeing them thrive!”

CantoGather has two key programmes that are designed to help overcome these barriers. The「語」你共融學習計畫 (Cantonese, Culture, and CommUnity Learning Programme) focuses on building non-Chinese students’ competence and confidence in Cantonese listening, speaking, reading and writing. Over a 20 week-period, they use tailored teaching methods, interactive materials and structured assessments to help students develop a foundation for learning Chinese and growing their interest in it. The programme also explores diverse cultures, empowering students to connect with their community and embrace their role as third-culture individuals in Hong Kong. 

Additionally, they are exploring ways to support parents to further empower families and enrich their students’ learning experience.

The 左鄰右「理」學習計畫 (From Me to We: Cultural Intelligence Training Programme) brings Chinese and non-Chinese students together through creative workshops that promote empathy, adaptability and teamwork. By celebrating diversity, this programme aims to nurture understanding and build stronger, more inclusive communities.

Lau says their volunteers are the heart of these programmes. They include passionate tutors from diverse backgrounds, such as future educators and leaders, many of whom join through partnerships with tertiary institutions and service-learning courses. Some remain involved for years.

Behind the scenes, volunteers contribute to areas like website design, social media and content creation. Lau says that many join through platforms like Time Auction, helping CantoGather share their mission with a wider audience. “Together, their passion and expertise allow us to empower students and foster greater inclusivity in Hong Kong,” Lau says.

“The work we do is so important because we believe every child, regardless of background, deserves equal opportunities to thrive,” says Lau, adding that, sadly, many non-Chinese students in Hong Kong face barriers due to language and racial stereotyping, which limits their ability to connect with others and access opportunities. 

“Our mission is all about loving our neighbour as ourselves. We want to see Hong Kong a place where everyone, no matter their ethnicity, has the chance to succeed. As our students grow in their Cantonese skills—speaking the language of the city—they can connect more deeply with the local community and unlock opportunities that were once out of reach. At the same time, we hope the wider community will embrace the rich, diverse cultural heritage our non-Chinese neighbours bring,” says Lau.