Sheltering the Forgotten: Voices of the Voiceless


Title

Sheltering the Forgotten: Voices of the Voiceless

Creator

Chau, Ching Ngai Harry

Advisor

Chan, Kam Fai

Faculty

School of Design

Department

School of Design

Description

Harry’s Voices of the Voiceless (寵浪) project was inspired by the invisible struggles of stray cats in Yau Ma Tei. Realizing their importance to the community, Harry designed a Transitional Housing initiative—a shelter with remote monitoring for both cats and caretakers. Initial setbacks, including communication difficulties and rejected ideas, challenged him, but support from local caretakers and volunteers helped him refine his concept. The project not only provides temporary refuge for cats but also raises awareness about animal welfare. Winning “Tutor’s Choice” at the PolyU Design Show validated Harry’s efforts. He learned to analyze root causes and create solutions that foster compassion and inclusivity, making a lasting impact on both animals and people.

Learning outcome/goal

Adaptability and Flexibility
Networking and Collaboration
Critical Thinking and Problem-solving
Continuous Improvement and Learning from Mistakes

Award

Tutor's Choice, PolyU Design Show 2025

Date

2025-12

Programme

BA(Hons) in Social Design

Degree Level

Undergraduate

Keywords

Stakeholder-Centered Design ; Community Engagement ; Systems Thinking ; Prototyping and Iterative Design ; Awareness Raising and Advocacy through Design

Subject

Feral cats -- China -- Hong Kong
Domestic animals -- China -- Hong Kong

Rights

All rights reserved

Language

English

Type

Feature Story

Access Rights

open access