HATCH Extraordinary "Gut Adventure" in School

Date: 20 Apr 2026                    Venue: Hong Kong Red Cross Margaret Trench School

Last month, HATCH team and our CATCHERs had the meaningful opportunity to visit Hong Kong Red Cross Margaret Trench School (香港紅十字會瑪嘉烈戴麟趾學校), a special school, to host a storytelling session on gut health, alongside creative activities with the students. Three of our CATCHERs presented two engaging stories developed by our SMI and MHA in the 2025 Talent Development Programme, bringing them to life through their own storytelling styles and thoughtfully designed props. 

Beyond storytelling, we spent time playing games, communicating, and connecting in ways that went beyond words and actions. Through drawing and coloring, the students shared their ideas in their own creative ways. Their artwork also conveyed a simple yet powerful message: what we call “normal” is not one fixed standard, but something diverse and ever-changing. 

 “Normal” can sometimes feel like a hidden label that quietly shapes how we see the world. It is guided by the environments and expectations we grow used to, often without even realising it. What feels familiar can easily become the standard we measure against, even when it is only one of many ways to understand the world. During the game sessions, we saw how each student expressed thoughts and emotions in their own way through art, interaction, or other forms of expression, each carrying meaning in its own right. 

Not only in storytelling, but in every piece of work and every lived experience, each individual brings a distinct perspective. There is no single way to experience or interpret the world. Building on this understanding, equity goes beyond equal treatment. It is about ensuring that everyone can participate and be heard in ways and at a pace that suits them best. When space is created for different forms of expression, every student can engage, create, and shine in their own way. 

HATCH is deeply grateful to Hong Kong Red Cross Margaret Trench School for this meaningful opportunity to learn, connect, and reflect together. Carrying this experience forward, we remain committed to creating opportunities where diversity is valued, as we continue to bring health and hope to our future generation.

About HATCH:

HATCH, its full name being Hub of Advanced Technology for Child Health, was jointly established by the Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong and growth partner and funder, The D. H. Chen Foundation. With our innovations in microbial diagnostics and replacement therapies, HATCH’s mission is to bring health and hope to our future generation through research, education, and community outreach.