Hong Kong charity helps neurodiverse people achieve full potential through fitness

The office of Hong Kong charity Love 21 Foundation in San Po Kong is not your typical workplace set-up. Its two floors consist of a big exercise hall, a smaller fitness training room and plenty of gym equipment.

It’s a favourite hang-out spot for Nathan Leung Hiu-fung, a 26-year-old with Down’s syndrome.

“The sports I do here are some muscle training, regular weekly dance sessions on the second floor and personal training on the 11th floor here, and other things to keep up the exercise habit, which I enjoy a lot,” Leung said.

“I got to learn different types of dancing as well … jazz, hip hop. It’s been an unforgettable journey.”

Leung is one of the charity’s over 457 members, who have Down’s syndrome, autism, or other neurodiverse conditions. Most members are aged from 15 to 30 years, with some as young as six and others as old as 50.