Date: 11 April 2025

Alumna Brenda Yu Wai-lam (Ling House), now a Hong Kong Sign Language instructor at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, returned to her alma mater with her sign language student Alumna Bonnie Pat Long-ching (Chuen House). The two alumni, as teacher and student, engaged in barrier-free communication through lip-reading, pen-and-paper notes, and real-time sign language interpretation, creating a heartwarming and profound moment.

Alumna Brenda shared her experience of losing her hearing at a young age. She attended the Chun Tok School for the Hearing Impaired and, in 1999, was fortunate to be accepted by then-Principal So Yan-lap, allowing her and several classmates to transfer to Pooi To to complete their secondary education. Through relentless hard work, she earned a Master’s degree in Education in 2023 and has since dedicated herself to sign language research and teaching, striving to promote inclusion between the deaf and hearing communities.

When reuniting with her former teachers, Mr. Tam Wai-hung and Ms. Lam Hiu-wah, Brenda was moved to tears, her genuine bond with her teachers touching everyone present. She reminisced about her school days, recalling how her teachers’ encouraging words in her weekly journals became her motivation to persevere. She also fondly recalled her spirited days on the basketball team. These experiences instilled in her the school motto, "Love, Sincerity, Integrity, and Perseverance," and she has channeled this warmth into her research. During the photo session, she even incorporated sign language elements.

Recently, Brenda appeared in the popular film "Tell Me Your Secret", hoping to promote sign language through mainstream culture and foster greater societal understanding of the disabled community. Throughout the exchange, her radiant smile and unwavering sense of mission deeply inspired the teachers and students present. As a cat lover, Brenda made a special visit to the school cat, "Tai-Wong," who responded affectionately, adding a heartwarming interlude to her homecoming journey.