KELY was started in 1991 by an American teenager. She grew up in Hong Kong and had problems with drugs and alcohol as a teenager. She found talking to her friends helped a lot, even if they had never taken drugs. She set up the KELY Support Group to offer peer support to teenagers in Hong Kong.

"At the start, we worked in international schools but nowadays, we work in all types of schools," explains Mark. "KELY stands for ‘Kids Everywhere Like You'. So everyone is welcome."

"We have done workshops on peer support, self-defense for girls, hip-hop, basketball and even circus training. Learning juggling or plate spinning helps people concentrate. We recently ran a leadership programme which was sponsored by a leading fashion brand name. The winning team had to organise the award ceremony. They could use the skills taught in the course.

Students enjoying KELY's circus training workshops

Our workshops get students to think about what they are good at. We also remind them that non-academic skills, such as leadership, art and sport, are important.

Our next project is recycling old mobile phones. Schools can collect old phones. They are sent to third world countries so that people can stay in touch there. You can contact me through our website to find out more.

Teenagers may take drugs because of peer influence, especially at discos and Internet cafes, lack of education or family problems. Students from poor and wealthy backgrounds can have problems. Their parents are often too busy. A lack of communication with parents is not healthy.

I think young people are more likely to become drug addicts if they lack direction in their lives. Young people with clear goals in life are less likely to get into trouble and KELY is here to assist them in searching their values in life.

Young people can contact us help@kely.org if they want to talk about their problems. We are here to listen."

A KELY workshop at a secondary school