Belinda Koo's social enterprise, One Ten, helps teenagers build a "warrior mindset"
If you ever need a pick-me-up, head to One Ten’s website. You’ll be greeted by enormous block capitals declaring “Make Your Mark.” Scroll down and “Find Your Strength” pops up. Just beneath that, “Become A Warrior” is emblazoned in bright orange letters. It’s like having a virtual cheerleader. But these aren’t cutesy quotes off Instagram or chapter headings from Eat, Pray, Love. They’re carefully crafted phrases written with one specific purpose in mind—to get young people moving.
One Ten is an organisation offering motivational and fun exercise classes to young people in Hong Kong. But these aren’t normal gym lessons. They’re designed specially to help teenagers tackle the stresses and strains of everyday life, whether exam stress, issues at home or anxiety caused by the pervasive, all-encompassing reach of social media.
Belinda Koo and Ada Cheung—One Ten’s founder and programme director, respectively—are well aware of the need of many young people for help. Ada, who is studying for a master’s degree in social work, says that among teenagers, “anxiety, academic stresses, depressive symptoms, body consciousness, self-esteem issues and even suicidal attempts are part of a reality that we can no longer ignore. Between 2014 and 2016, over 70 suicides were reported across primary, secondary and post-secondary institutions.”
“The problems affecting teenagers disturb me,” says Belinda, a mother of three, two of whom are now in their early teens. “I’m very concerned about what makes an adult, what makes a person have the perseverance to go through all the tough times? How can we strengthen that warrior mindset in order to help people power through the tough times and unravel the knots inside their mind?”