Melo did it AGAIN: Unlocking Doors to Possibilities - SVhk

Prudence Leung

My encounter with SVhk (Social Venture Hong Kong) began with the Sham Shui Po Community Innovation Tour & Fireside Chat, a Fellowship Joint Discover Event of Melo. Through the tour and sharing by Francis, the Founder and CEO of SVhk, I was fascinated by the impacts generated through SVhk’s projects such as Fortune Multiplex (福。式唐樓). Therefore, I took the courage to seek advice from Francis, and he invited me to apply for the Social Leaders Programme (SLP) and that’s how I stepped foot into the impact business of SVhk. 

Throughout the 2-month internship, I was stunned by the diverse portfolio of SVhk and their innovative way of connecting the dots and creating synergy among different stakeholders in the community. As someone who aspires to pursue a career in the social impact sector, here are my 3 learnings from SVhk and I believe they align with the spirit of Project Melo as well. 

1️⃣ Action is the strongest form of advocacy 

SVhk is known for its “small-scale” action as this is the best way to demonstrate impacts, to draw attention and to experiment the model. Take “Neighbourhood Concierge” as an example, instead of flashy social media campaigns, SVhk simply opens its door and invites neighbours in. Through real-life interactions with our colleagues and local business owners, residents naturally understand that this space is open to them and they could find resources and connect with one another. 

2️⃣ Innovation is the key to Impact
What amazes me most about SVhk is how every project carries innovation—whether through unconventional operating models or unprecedented partnerships. In a challenging environment like Hong Kong, only those willing to adapt can find sustainable ways to thrive. For instance, the One North STEAM AI Summer: while promoting technology and innovation was the main theme, SVhk saw deeper potential—using technology to bridge generations, turning young people’s ideas into tangible futures, and rallying cross-sector stakeholders to strengthen community ties. True innovation often means letting go of fixed mindsets and uncovering hidden value.

3️⃣ Find Your Anchor
More than any hard skill, my biggest takeaway from two months at SVhk—and from conversations with others in the social impact space—is the importance of finding your "anchor." The path to pursue for impacts is rocky and challenging. Without constantly reflecting on your "why," it’s easy to be distracted. But with a clear “anchor”, you can recenter when lost and remind yourself of the purpose why you started at the very beginning. 

Shanice

My journey with SVhk (Social Venture Hong Kong) began in the Melo Social community channel where Inky forwarded SVhk’s SLP promotion post and highly encouraged our members to join this summer; she was also an SLP back then. Furthermore, my undergraduate programme director had also promoted SLP on LinkedIn. As a freshman, I understand internship opportunities in the summer are competitive and rare for a Year 1 student. At the same time, I do have some interest in social issues, and I strongly believe that studying business is not only about generating profits, but also about synergising professional knowledge and a compassionate heart to create solutions that maximize societal benefits, so I thought, "Why don't I give myself a try!" :))

The highlight of working at SVhk was definitely the time I spent engaged in “#EmpowHER2B”, a flagship program that partnered with an international bank and six other corporate partners, which supports female carers to re-enter the workforce. Over those two months, I witnessed the power of love—their love for their family members. They left jobs with prospective careers and compensation to spend more time and take good care of their family and are now seeking new heights and perspectives as their loved ones can care for themselves. Their courage and proactive attitude to work have inspired me to rethink the importance of family and the journey toward finding our most comfortable and authentic selves.

If I can only use one word to wrap up my summer at SVhk, I would pick “scenery”. So much happened during those eight weeks, and I immersed myself in different projects; the scenery in the society changed so fast. Moreover, on the way to changing the world for the better, the most important thing is not the outcome of the initiative, but the “scenery”—the moments you’ve cheered for, the challenges you’ve faced, and, last but not least, the people you’ve met along this meaningful journey.