Introduction Strength of Spirit Each of us is shaped by our actions as well as the challenges and triumphs we face These experiences form our life story a story that is unique to each person By sharing our life stories we learn what inspires or motivates others Some people have remarkable stories of dedication strength or compassion Their stories can encourage us to learn more about issues and take action to shape the world we live in What Is a Biography A biography is the story of a person’s life and experiences We read biographies to learn about another person’s life and thoughts Biographies can be based on many sources of information Primary sources include a person’s own words or pictures Secondary sources come from friends family media or research Joshua credits his parents with teaching him about justice and freedom 4
Joshua Wong Joshua Wong is a student activist from Hong Kong who is known for his fearlessness determination and strong sense of social justice He has encouraged thousands of youth in Hong Kong to stand up for their beliefs He leads the THINK fight for democracy freedom and ABOUT IT individual rights Do you know someone remarkable What are some of the qualities that make them special 5
A Shaky Democracy Joshua Wong Chi-fung was born in British-controlled Hong Kong on October 13 1996 Nine months later Hong Kong was returned to China by its British rulers This event brought many changes to the lives of Hong Kong citizens Raised as an only child in a middle class family Joshua was strongly influenced by his parents values His father Roger Wong was a Christian church elder He often took Joshua to visit people who were less privileged These visits revealed the inequalities that existed within society Mr Wong also shared stories and videos that showed how the Chinese government sometimes repressed its people limiting their rights and freedoms Joshua became aware of the social injustices that existed in China and its territory Hong Kong The wealthy in Hong Kong can afford to buy goods in luxury brand stores 6 Chapter 1
A Passionate Speaker As a teenager Joshua became a passionate and eloquent speaker He often tried to persuade others of the need for change lecturing his classmates and even strangers Joshua’s father always encouraged him to be fearless in his determination to overcome obstacles in his life Bible Verse Joshua’s Chinese name Chi-fung Chi-fung is inspired by a verse in the bible His parents once hoped he might pursue a career spreading religious teachings Some people can't afford housing in Hong Kong They sleep on the streets 7
