What’s a loving father to do? In 1993, David Nesbitt, a Canadian working in Hong Kong, was so frustrated by the lack of educational services available for his learning disabled daughter that he wrote to Chris Patten to ask what the then-governor could do. Moved by Nesbitt’s letter describing his wish for his daughter to develop essential life skills, Patten contacted the Social Welfare Department, which helped establish the Hong Kong Vocational Centre, later renamed The Nesbitt Centre, in honour of Nesbitt’s tireless efforts.

To this day, the centre, located at Sai Ying Pun Community Complex, is unique – it’s the only organisation in town catering to English-speaking, learning disabled young adults. Executive director Surinder Punjya says 46 students, instructed by a team of occupational therapists and speech pathologists, currently fill the 2,400 sq ft premises. “We rely on a good pool of volunteers and always welcome enquiries from all angles, from schools offering university internships or businesses seeking corporate social responsibility opportunities.”

Half of the Nesbitt Centre’s funding comes from student fees, 35 per cent flows from government subvention, and the rest is raised by donations. Punjya notes, “As the centre grows there is an urgent need for bigger and well-equipped premises.” A proposal has been submitted to government authorities requesting a move in 2010 to a 30,000 sq ft site in Chai Wan. “We’d like to operate an inclusive, community-based lifelong learning centre,” Punjya adds.

Jesmond Fan, a special education needs teacher on the Nebitt Centre’s independent living course, and who has been working there for more than three years, sees the difference the operation makes firsthand. "I teach the students practical things related to their life, like how to dress properly and do basic cleaning. The most fulfilling thing is seeing them make progress. Eventually the students can understand and remember what we teach. You can see the change. They achieve more independence."

The centre now boasts over 30 work placements across Hong Kong and soon plans to open a coffee shop staffed by students. It’s all a far cry from when young Miss Nesbitt sat in a small classroom in Kowloon Junior School led by a single facilitator. Sometimes, father does know best.

Get involved!
The Nesbitt Centre welcomes volunteers of every stripe, from students who might like to assist the learning disabled in the classroom to businesses with expertise or resources they can spare: nesbittcentre.org.hk.

Read about Hong Kong’s other do-it-yourself philanthropists:

Jesmond Fan of The Nesbitt Centre