In the heart of Hong Kong’s bustling streets, among high-rises and hurried footsteps, lives a young woman whose story of growth, resilience, and empowerment offers a powerful message to all—embrace your uniqueness, for it is the root of your strength. This is the story of Wicky, a second-generation Indonesian youth who once shied away from her identity, but now uses her voice to uplift others.
Born and raised in Hong Kong to Indonesian parents, Wicky always straddled two cultures. At home, her parents—immigrants who arrived decades ago—spoke Cantonese to help her integrate into the local community. The intention was loving, but the result was complicated: “I didn’t learn to speak Indonesian fluently,” she says, reflecting on how her cultural identity was often shaped by necessity more than tradition.
From an early age, Wicky attended local Chinese medium schools and participated in mainstream society—fluent in Cantonese, sitting for the DSE, and even taking subjects like Economics and Biology. But beneath this smooth integration, Wicky struggled with self-acceptance. “I used to feel sad about my background and my name,” she recalls. “I thought it was a shame when I was small.”
The name Wicky felt like a spotlight she didn’t want. Unique and unfamiliar, it made her feel even more different. “I was afraid people would ask strange questions—like whether I eat with my hands,” she says, half-laughing, half-serious. In primary school, this fear silenced her. She was shy, hesitant to speak, and often stood on the sidelines.
But life changed during secondary school. “I became a talkative person,” Wicky says with a bright smile. Encouraged by supportive teachers, she began joining public speaking activities. Bit by bit, she stepped into the light she once avoided. “That was the twist in my life.” Confidence bloomed. She no longer feared standing out—she started to own her difference.
Her transformation didn’t stop there. At a young age, she joined the Red Cross. Now more than a decade in, community service has become her anchor. “I love serving people,” she says simply. It’s not just a phrase—it’s a purpose. Today, she is a second-year student at the Hong Kong Metropolitan University, majoring in Gerontology and Social Services, and her dream is crystal clear: to become a social worker who advocates for the ethnic minority community.
That dream is rooted in personal history. The stories—of women with university degrees who are treated as invisible—left a deep impression on Wicky. “There are so many domestic helpers with potential,” she says with conviction. “I want to organize classes for them so they can show their own strengths. I want to empower them.” She knows the barriers well. Language. Recognition. Opportunity. She’s seen how her mother’s talents were boxed in by society’s assumptions. Wicky is determined to help change that narrative.
University has been another chapter of growth. For her birthday, she now brings Tumpeng, a cake-shaped turmeric rice dish, to share with her local friends. “They love it!” she laughs. What used to be a source of shame—her culture, her heritage—is now her proudest bridge to connection.
Her journey of empowerment reached new heights during a volunteer mission to Sri Lanka. She taught children in a rural village school, where dreams were limited by circumstance. “Most of them wanted to become drivers,” she recalls. “I told them—they could be anything.” That trip reminded her of the power of stories—especially her own. “I want to use my life story to inspire others,” she says. And she means it. Wicky is not just building a career—she’s building a movement of empathy, inclusion, and pride.
Now, when she introduces herself, she no longer hesitates. “Wicky is me, and I am proud of who I am,” she declares. Her voice, once quiet and uncertain, now speaks with purpose and compassion. She sees herself as both Hongkonger and Indonesian. No longer split between identities, she is whole. She is Wicky—a name that once embarrassed her, now carried like a banner.
Wicky’s story reminds us all that identity is not something to hide. It’s something to embrace. In doing so, she has not only found herself—she has become a beacon for others. “Never underestimate yourself. Dream bigger,” she says.
And if you ever doubt whether your story matters, think of Wicky. She turned silence into service, difference into pride, and challenge into change. The world needs more voices like hers—honest, hopeful, and unafraid. Let her story be your spark.
Instagram: @Wicky.cwk
LinkedIn : Nizan Shobana Wicky
Article draft preparation: AI Assistant HKBUChatGPT
Interviewers: Gurung Sajita, and Hasham Khan
Final edit: Seng Lu Ja
