About Me
Monique is a passionate Year 11 student at Chinese International School who believes in the power of entrepreneurship to drive social change. Combining her creative mindset with business acumen, she has initiated various projects that bridge cultural boundaries and address community needs. As the founder of a clothing brand merging Asian traditions with urban culture, Monique demonstrates her commitment to celebrating cultural diversity through innovative business solutions. Her dedication to community impact is reflected in her role shadowing the International Impact Executive leadership team at CIS, where she oversees student services and impact initiatives, particularly focusing on service collaborations within the Greater Bay Area while ensuring alignment between partner missions and school values.
Through her latest initiative, Peak Potential, Monique works to empower underprivileged youth in remote villages along rural areas of Nepal by mobilizing the Hong Kong community to donate sports equipment, partnering with local NGOs to ensure effective distribution and community engagement. Currently collaborating with Zonta International on climate justice research and working alongside Professor Dr. Tom Hafen from Columbia University on brand marketing strategies, Monique constantly seeks to expand her understanding of how business solutions can address global challenges. Beyond her entrepreneurial pursuits, she is dedicated to creating original visual art pieces, playing piano, and contributing to student publications and arts initiatives. These diverse experiences have shaped her perspective on the interconnectedness of social impact and business innovation, driving her mission to create meaningful change one step at a time.
Project Description
Peak Potential is a student-led initiative that bridges communities between Hong Kong and Nepal, focusing on empowering youth through sports in remote villages along the rural mountain areas of Nepal. Through organized collection drives in Hong Kong and strategic partnerships with local NGOs in Nepal, we gather and distribute essential sports equipment to communities where recreational resources are scarce. Our initiative goes beyond mere equipment donation - we create opportunities for physical activity, teamwork development, and community building through coordinated distribution events and sports activities.
While still in its initial phase, Peak Potential envisions impacting over 300 young people across multiple villages in its first year. The initiative aims to distribute various sports equipment including basketballs, volleyballs, and training gear, enabling regular sports activities in at least five village communities. Through partnerships with local NGOs, we plan to organize community sports events that foster social interaction and develop leadership skills among participants. Our comprehensive impact assessment system will track not just the quantity of equipment distributed, but also measure improvements in physical activity levels, community engagement, and personal development among participating youth.
Looking ahead, Peak Potential plans to expand its reach to additional villages and establish sustainable sports programs that can be maintained by local community leaders. We aim to create a model that can be replicated in other underserved regions, demonstrating how cross-border collaboration and resource sharing can effectively bridge the gap in recreational opportunities and youth development.