We Are HKers - Camille Yam | A registered nurse, volunteer first aider, and elected District Councillor - "Do good, no matter how small it may seem."

Camille Yam is a registered nurse and social activist since her studies at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) where she has developed a passion to serve Hongkongers and the community. Being a nurse, she is attuned to listening to and taking care of others' mental needs. She was a candidate in the District Council Election for the HKU district. (Update: Camille won the election in November.)

“No changes can happen overnight, nor are done by one person alone. Do good, no matter how small it may seem. If everyone could do a bit more, then the impact would be huge. We must carry on, because I believe that the dawn will come one day, and justice will be achieved. ”

— Camille Yam

Journalist: King Kenny

Photographer: King Kenny

My name is Camille Yam (Ka-Yi), a born and bred Hongkonger and I am a registered nurse. My family has strong ties with the University of Hong Kong (HKU) as all my siblings and I studied there—my sister majored in social science, my brother in translation, and I in nursing. HKU is like a second home to me and I have developed strong bonds with the HKU community. To me, everything in HKU—the stores, the restaurants, the trees and so on—is engraved with fond memories.

HOW HKU HAS EQUIPPED ME

To me, studying at HKU has always been my dream for it is known as a prestigious institute in Hong Kong with students who have strong critical thinking skills. Therefore, I was determined to study at HKU from the start wanting to serve society. I had thought about studying law or social science, but I chose nursing in the end. Nursing provides ample opportunities for me to meet people from all walks of life and it is also a practical kind of subject.

When I finally got into HKU, I decided to do everything that I could within my capacity, and so I joined the Students’ Union and became an executive committee member (or 'seung jong' in colloquial Cantonese). In hindsight, it was very similar to what I’ve been doing to prepare for the District Council Election where I faced the public and was often criticised. I was the internal vice president of the students’ union, and I mainly dealt with school-related affairs, such as communicating with the school authorities on administration and subject course matters. I was also a student representative on the university governance senate. We reported issues from the students' perspective to the school, from trivial matters such as weak WiFi on campus to significant decisions such as compulsory internship in Mainland China. We even had to follow up on the utilities in the student union’s building—it wasn’t different from managing a community.

HOW I WAS INVOLVED IN AND INSPIRED BY THE SOCIAL MOVEMENT

It was at that time that the Umbrella Movement emerged. With our nursing and medical knowledge, my friends and I set up first aid tents in the occupied areas. Looking back, the fact that police used pepper spray in an authorised protest zone was appalling enough. It was also the first time I had witnessed something like that. Fast forward to the current anti-ELAB movement and I’m now working behind the scenes as a volunteer first aider. With mass arrests and the political crisis yet to be resolved, there are times when I have felt hopeless. I keep asking myself, “What else can I do for Hong Kong? How can we make our city a better place?” Although I'm young, I have already witnessed the dramatic changes in Hong Kong: small, family-run stores replaced by drugstores and jewellery stores while places like Causeway Bay and Tsim Sha Tsui are overcrowded with tourists. During days when I feel helpless and hopeless, my Christian belief gives me hope and keeps me going because I know dwelling on negative emotions won’t help. Sometimes, I pray to God for justice and I also seek comfort and hope in Bible scriptures and Christian songs. Darkness may seem to overpower our society, but I am grateful to the people for their selflessness and sacrifice. Perhaps faith in humanity can only be restored during the worst of times.

CANCER AS A METAPHOR

The dire situation in Hong Kong is similar to ‘a diagnosis of cancer.’ The cancer cells have stayed dormant for a long time but have only been discovered now. To cure a cancer, we cannot turn a blind eye to it, but must identify the malignant tumours and provide proper treatment and medication. We have already identified the ‘tumours’ of Hong Kong and I believe that the city can be healed if we tackle the issues proactively. In the face of such a formidable crisis, we are disappointed, but we shall never be in despair. With a lot of people coming out to fight for Hong Kong, I see hope for change.

SERVING THE COMMUNITY

After graduating from HKU, I have worked in the Accident and Emergency (A&E) Department and Intensive Care Unit (ICU), mainly treating patients in critical condition. Through my job, I have learnt how to be a keen listener and to take care of others' mental health. Life is so fragile and we are all vulnerable in the face of death. How should we live a meaningful life? I am committed to providing better mental health support, especially when the government's policies on elderly care are so deficient despite the ageing population trend. Therefore, I’m studying for a Master’s degree in Behavioural Health at HKU, in hopes of promoting mental wellness and to advocate for better elderly care in the community.

The socio-political system of Hong Kong has already failed its people. I feel called to do something to save it from crumbling. Therefore, in these turbulent times, I have decided to run for the District Council Election in the Central and Western District for the University constituency. (Update: Camille has been elected.) Aside from serving the community, I want to connect everyone in the neighbourhood as we work to defend and heal our home together to create a good living environment where we can once again find joy and motivation.

DO GOOD, NO MATTER HOW SMALL IT MAY SEEM

The problems in Hong Kong have perpetuated for several decades and resolving them will not be an instant fix. No changes can happen overnight, nor can they be done by one person alone. Do good no matter how trivial (an act) it may seem. If everyone could do a bit more, then the impact would be huge. We must carry on because I believe that dawn will come one day and justice will be served.

“I am Camille Yam Ka-Yi. And I am a HKer.”

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Tips for mental health and wellness:

If you have a hard time sleeping because of what’s happening in society, try to steer clear of live news before bed. Instead, take a few big, deep breaths: inhale and exhale slowly for five minutes to relax your body.

Camille Yam | A registered nurse, volunteer first aider, and elected District Councillor - "Do good no matter how trivial it may seem."