r é n is delighted to share that Nathan Leung has joined us as our latest team member in the role of Programme Coordinator!

Having studied in an international school growing up and subsequently completing a three-year special educational needs course at the Education University of Hong Kongwhere he dived deep into areas like design, digital publishing and photography, Nathan then met Love 21 Chief Operations Officer Carmel Armstrong. Representing the foundation at various events, including those with HSBC, Nathan eventually became a full member of Love 21, where he completed a training program before meeting r é n founder Jo.

“Carmel connected me with Jo after I’ve been with Love 21 for a while,” Nathan recounts. “We met a few months ago for a coffee and breakfast, and we talked about what sort of role she would offer me. In the end we settled with Programme Coordinator here and also an Office Assistant job at Schonfeld, both part-time. I’m glad I took part-time, because I don’t think full-time is a good fit for me. Jo is able to accommodate my days off and the work that I do here, so I’m really enjoying getting to know her and her team – the people I work with.”

Aside from being able to make an income to support himself, the opportunities for Nathan here at r é n and at Schonfeld also provide him with something he’s been looking for since his graduation: a sense of stability and security.

“I don’t really have goals for the far future, but I’ve made an intention for 2025,” he tells me with a smile. “I want to make sure that in the next year I can have a better professional life and a stable career. I’ve been looking forward to having this stability, and it’s been a good journey so far finishing my education, graduating and entering employment. With a part-time arrangement with days off, I also want to have a better balance with my family life and with friends, having thosestable relationships that I’ve never had before.”

Part of his role at r é n will also be helping with our R21 initiative, which seeks to help others with Down syndrome. When asked how he hopes his story can inspire others in similar positions, Nathan spreads a message of positivity:

“For people who have Down syndrome, sometimes it’s easy to let the disability define you. Even though I have this disability myself, I don’t let it define me. I just see myself as a normal guy, and that’s what others should do for themselves too!”