YWCA Hioe Tjo Yoeng College

Did you know a cornerstone laid by Lady Black started it all? YWCA Hioe Tjo Yoeng College isn’t just any school. It’s a symbol of cooperation, built on the dreams of a community. Back in 1963, Lady Black, wife of a prominent Hong Kong official, laid the foundation stone. She envisioned a place where people from all walks of life could come together. The initial cost estimate was a modest $500,000. However, the final price tag reached $2.5 million. A generous donation of $500,000 came from Hioe Tjo Yoeng and his wife, along with an additional $20,000 for supplies. The government stepped in to cover the remaining 80% of the expenses. YWCA Hioe Tjo Yoeng College officially opened its doors in 1972. The ceremony was a grand affair, presided over by the Director of Education, John Canning. Ellen Li, a respected Legislative Council member, took on the role of supervisor. Initially, the school welcomed 249 students into its Form I and II classes, though it had the capacity for 700. YWCA Hioe Tjo Yoeng College continued to grow. By 1974, Form Five students were welcomed. In 1976, the college began to offer A-level courses. By 1985, YWCA Hioe Tjo Yoeng College had expanded to include forms one through seven, boasting a student body of 700, a dedicated faculty of 33, and a total of 19 classes. More recently, in 2021, an alumnus named Kwok Sai-man returned to lead the school as its principal. This college, built on a foundation of community and generosity, continues to shape young minds.