Professor Li Yiu-fai, a retired university educator and recipient of the 2023 Hong Kong Humanity Award, dedicated an astonishing 40 years to manning suicide prevention hotlines. His commitment extended beyond The Samaritans, leading him to volunteer with hotlines for Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) and the Red Cross, as well as pursuing training as a life coach. Last year, he also published an e-book chronicling his life's journey.
40 Years on the Line: Countless "Thank Yous" from Those in Despair
Li recalls the beginning of his journey as a hotline volunteer. He remembers a late-night caller whose voice was saturated with despair and hopelessness. Using every listening skill he possessed, he strove to remain calm and empathetic, attempting to forge a connection in the profound darkness. However, after a lengthy conversation, the person on the other end simply stated, "You can't help me," and hung up. In that moment, Li was consumed by self-blame and guilt, even questioning his place in this work, thinking, "Maybe I'm not cut out for this; I couldn't save them."
Just as he teetered on the brink of giving up, a seasoned colleague offered him a perspective that changed everything: "We are not saviors. We are just companions. True help, sometimes, is simply quietly walking with someone through a few minutes of their darkness." These words acted like a beam of light, instantly illuminating Li's inner shadows and solidifying his resolve to stay.
Over the subsequent four decades, through countless silences and tears shared across telephone lines, his dedicated listening and companionship were ultimately rewarded with innumerable heartfelt "thank yous" and the sentiment: "Thank you for listening. You made me feel supported."
Past 70 and Still Going: Aims to Be "a Beam of Light in Suffering"
Li deeply understands that a caregiver, facing physical exhaustion and psychological strain, must first learn to care for themselves. Even though he is now over seventy—an age when many choose to retire and slow down—his inner fire still burns brightly, driving him forward. He states simply, "I cherish life because I still have a mission."
He views this work as his alternative path to helping others, having been unable to become a doctor. "Through companionship and listening, I can illuminate those walking in darkness, striving to be a beam of light amidst suffering. This isn't a dream of saving the world; it's a heart committed to being present in the world with others."
Today, he no longer seeks fame or position. His only wish is to be someone who can accompany lost young people, grieving seniors, and friends who have weathered life's storms. He reflects poignantly: "In the future, I don't need to stand in a high place and shine. But I hope to consistently offer warmth from the corner where I am. Even if I can only light a single lamp for one person, I am willing to spend my remaining days doing so. As long as I can still walk, I will continue to walk; as long as I can still help, I will continue to reach out."
