At The ELCHK Yuen Long Lutheran Secondary School (YLLSS), love and warmth blossom between cat paws and scientific research! This time, let me share the story of our school cat, “Shunshun”, and observe how one abandoned kitten awakened widespread kindness across the campus, sparking a heartwarming wave of AI research that embodies the spirit of “paying love forward” as a gentle model for the digital age!
The first encounter ignites the butterfly effect. Over a year ago, Shunshun was a timid little yellow kitten hiding under a sofa in Tin Yiu Estate. It was the sustained gentleness of YLLSS teachers and students, day after day, that warmed its heart, allowing it to dare place its paw lightly on human hands. We named it “Shunshun”, carrying the double meaning of “Lutheran/Faith” (信義) and “Trust” (信任). When adoption efforts failed, the teachers and students decided to build a home for Shunshun together. The pure spirit of the movie “Pay It Forward” truly blossomed in reality: a chance meeting, an act of kindness, which, even in the age of digital education, can weave a warm, cross-species resonance.
Since Shunshun has a chronic illness, teachers and students created a clean, dedicated space for it: janitors carefully clean its exclusive area, and everyone removes their shoes before entering to prevent infection. The students from the Animal Care Society turned every Friday into the eagerly awaited “Cat Friday”. The president of the Animal Care Society CHAN Bernice said, “Shunshun is my companion. Our time together on Friday is healing”. In the company of Shunshun’s round eyes and wagging tail, the stress of teachers dissipates, and students’ daily lives gain a touch of softness. This group, brought together by the cat, has not only had their spirits warmed but has also ingrained the details of love into their daily routines.
Shunshun also inspired scientific research with a human touch. Because of Shunshun, a student from the S6 cohort became determined to pursue veterinary medicine and was led to a connection with Professor Condon LAU from City University of Hong Kong. This collaboration gave birth to a small research team dedicated to “creating a better future for cats through AI”. They created a “Smart Cat Litter Box Cleaning Reminder Device” that leverages data to address the challenge of optimal cleaning times. Additionally, they incorporated Shunshun’s favorite grass and butterfly patterns into the design. Student WONG Sum-yi learned to think from the user’s perspective; YAU Sum-yu found empathy to be the driving force behind repeated modifications; and WONG Lok-yan realized that problem-solving is only effective when viewed from others’ perspectives, to name but a few. The team’s love for their cat has extended to caring for the future of all furry companions, allowing technology to become a warm extension of life—the true meaning of scientific research.
The school’s “Walk with Scholars” gathers 31 cross-disciplinary experts to guide students in discovering the truth, goodness, and beauty of academic fields. Just as Professor LAU’s team led students in their cat-focused research, they taught more than just technology; they imparted the warmth of “using technology to listen to, care for, and safeguard life”. From caring for Shunshun to advocating for the welfare of all cats and dogs, from promoting adoption over purchasing to using AI to benefit furry friends, YLLSS students have learned the resonance of life at the intersection of love and technology. This is the soul of a joyful learning campus and the long-term growth education strives for.
Education ensures that love retains its warmth amid challenges and digital transformation. Shunshun’s story is precisely the warmth of YLLSS: using love as a link, connecting kindness to life, and letting technology carry and illuminate warmth!