"Fencing Alterlier" is an innovative Eco-pilot Project (Cohort 2) operating under the Future Ecopreneur Programme, co-organised by Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation and Wofoo Social Enterprises, with sponsorship from Hang Seng Bank. This initiative aims to address environmental sustainability by focusing on the circular economy within the fencing community. The project's core mission is to give new life to discarded or broken fencing equipment through repair and upcycling, thereby reducing waste and promoting resource efficiency.

Beyond its environmental objectives, "Fencing Alterlier" integrates a significant social impact component by collaborating with the Hong Chi Association. The project actively recruits and provides training to individuals with disabilities, empowering them with valuable skills in equipment repair and upcycling. This not only offers meaningful employment opportunities but also fosters social inclusion and personal development for participants. The project encompasses a comprehensive work plan, including training sessions, recruitment drives, collection of second-hand equipment, and rigorous testing of upcycled products. With a project fund of up to HKD 10,000, "Fencing Alterlier" is committed to driving positive environmental and social change from April 15 to showcase its achievements and inspire further action.

From Broken Blades to New Beginnings
Tai’s journey began at the intersection of environmental stewardship and social justice. Fencing Atelier, an innovative Eco-pilot Project under the Future Ecopreneur Programme, recognises that a snapped fencing blade shouldn’t be the end of the story—not for the equipment, and certainly not for people like Tai. Co-organized by the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation and Wofoo Social Enterprises, with the generous sponsorship of Hang Seng Bank, the project treats the circular economy as a tool for human empowerment.

Building Financial Independence
For many with lower-limb disabilities, the job market can feel inaccessible. Fencing Atelier bridges this gap by providing Specialised Training: Collaborating with the Hong Chi Association, the project recruited Tai and taught him the intricate art of equipment repair and upcycling. Tai isn't just receiving a stipend; he is earning a living by restoring high-performance gear. This financial stability provides him with a sense of autonomy and the dignity of a paycheck earned through craftsmanship.

Forging Unshakeable Confidence
The most profound change, however, is internal. When Tai sits at his workbench, his disability disappears behind his skill. :As Tai transforms discarded gear into safety-tested, "upcycled" equipment, he sees a reflection of his own potential. He realizes that "broken" things—whether a piece of steel or a person’s spirit—can be made stronger than they were before.

Being part of a cohort that values his contribution allows Tai to move from the margins of society to the heart of the fencing community. He is no longer someone who needs help; he is the expert helping the athletes. With a project fund of HKD 10,000, Fencing Atelier has spent the months since April 15 proving that sustainability is about more than just recycling; it’s about renewal.

"When I fix a mask or a glove, I’m not just reducing waste," Tai says. "I’m proving that everything, and everyone, has a second life if given the right chance."

By merging the precision of fencing with the heart of social responsibility, Fencing Atelier is ensuring that as we protect our planet, we leave no one—including people like Tai—behind.