Expat Parent June 2020

FREE EVERY MONTH

FAMILY | FATHER’S DAY | SUMMER CAMPS

the really useful magazine expat-parent.com

June 2020

15

ways to the ci make t bettery

Charity power Jo Soo-Tang, Agnes Chin and other changemakers who unite Hong Kong for a good cause

2 expat-parent.com

CONTENTs 2

Editor’s letter

Hello from the hot desk. Plus three things we love

8

4 Contributors

Meet this month’s team

7

What’s on

Hong Kong is coming back! The best events this June

ISSUE 073 44

Book club

Travel books and podcasts that will transport you to faraway places

48

Rugrat ramblings

Diary of an expat baby

29

12 News

Your monthly local news roundup

14

Things to know

The legend of Dragon Boat Festival

16

Must haves

Your ultimate Father’s Day gift guide

19

Me & my big idea

Eco-friendly baby products

20

Cover story

Hong Kong charities that are doing good for the community

28

My Hong Kong

How to raise little bodies with big hearts

13 39

32 Education

Summer camps that your kids will love

38 Dining

Celebrate Father’s Day with a barbecue feast

42

Life & style

15 ways to make Hong Kong better

14

23

20

44

17 Scan and visit our website expat-parent.com

42 expat-parent.com 1

editor’s Letter

who’s in charge?

A

fter months of battling the coronavirus, Hong Kong is starting its road to recovery – tentatively and cautiously optimistic. While challenges remain ahead, we deserve a pat on the shoulder to recognise how far we have come.

As with every other challenge, our city has once again demonstrated its resilience to weather whatever storm that comes its way. More than anything, there is no lack of Hongkongers who have stepped up and banded together during these times of crises to lift each other up.

For our June issue, we want to take the opportunity to highlight some of these incredible changemakers as our way of saying thank you. Our cover stars Jo SooTang and Agnes Chin have risen to the occasion and started online fundraising platform Cookie Smiles to help those who have been affected by Covid-19. Find out more about their work and other charity initiatives on page 20.

Feeling inspired to take action yourself?

Go to page 42 for things you can do to make Hong Kong a better place and read our interview with international human trafficking advisor Matt Friedman on his latest self-help book Be the Hero: Be the

Editorial editorial@hongkongliving.com Editorial Director Gemma Shaw

Editor-in-chief Nicole Slater

Editor Apple Lee

Senior Staff Writer Charmaine Ng

Design vicky@hongkongliving.com Graphic Designer Vicky Lam

Sales & Marketing talk@hongkongliving.com

Change on page 44.

Whatever lies ahead, I hope our issue this month can serve as a gentle reminder that compassion, generosity and a sense of hope can get us a long way.

Editor’s picks

Director of Content Hilda Chan

Head of Digital Content Isamonia Chui

Partnership Manager Chrissie Ip

Partnership Manager Elaine Li

Publisher Tom Hilditch tom@hongkongliving.com

Cookie DPT has partnered with Café Gray Deluxe for a delicious afternoon tea collaboration this summer.

Available now until July 31, the set will include an Earl ‘Gray’ Cookie – a cheeky nod to the restaurant name. cookiedpt.com

Drink this

Contemporary tea cocktail bar Tell Camellia has recently unveiled a daytime experience serving luxurious fine teas sourced from around the world. Dubbed The Tea Room, the venue offers a range of tea blends and zero proof cocktails.

Facebook: tellcamellia

Do this

Join the Hong Kong Virtual Marathon to get back on your feet while social distancing. The challenge takes place until June 30 and can be completed remotely via local trails, treadmills and even up and down the stairs. hkvirtualmarathon.com

about the cover Cover stars Jo Soo-Tang and Agnes Chin have teamed up to start a fundraising initiative amidst the Covid-19 outbreak. Find out how their social enterprise Cookie Smiles and other remarkable Hong Kong charity organisations are making a positive difference on page 20.

2 expat-parent.com

Published by Hong Kong Living Ltd, L1 Kai Wong Commercial Building, 222 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong Printer Apex Print Limited, 11-13 Dai Kwai Street, Tai Po Industrial Estate, Tai Po, Hong Kong

HONG KONG hongkongliving.com

Credit: Claudia Lee @ Claudsjournal

Eat this

Contact us Admin: 3568 3722 | Editorial: 2776 2773 | Advertising: 2776 2772

Expat Parent is published by Hong Kong Living Ltd. This magazine is published on the understanding that the publishers, advertisers, contributors and their employees are not responsible for the results of any actions, errors and omissions taken on the basis of information contained in this publication. The publisher, advertisers, contributors and their employees expressly disclaim all and any liability to any person, whether a reader of this publication or not, in respect of any action or omission by this publication. Expat Parent cannot be held responsible for any errors or inaccuracies provided by advertisers or contributors. The views herein are not necessarily shared by the staff or publishers. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher.

expat-parent.com 3

contributors

Nissa Cornish

Cary Docherty

Marina Watt

Nissa left her first career as a model after she became more conscious of the environmental impact of the fashion industry. She now works at environmental charity Redress to help reduce textile waste. She is raising her two-year-old son Benjamin to be more eco-conscious on page 31.

Chef Cary is the man behind the grill at Island Shangri-La’s Lobster Bar & Grill. Prior to joining the hotel, he was the Head Chef at the well-loved Gough’s on Gough. Steal Chef Cary’s cooking tips for throwing the ultimate summer barbecue bash on page 38.

Marina has more than a decade of experience in communications and is currently studying for a doctorate in education. She enjoys writing about parenting and education for various Hong Kong publications. See what she’s up to this month on page 9.

Want to write for Expat Parent Magazine? Contact editorial@hongkongliving.com

4 expat-parent.com

expat-parent.com 5

6 expat-parent.com

what’s on

Diary dates

THROUGHOUT JUNE

#Shareasmilehk

Elsa Jeandedieu Studio is on a mission to spread joy in Hong Kong. Look out for its hand-painted smiling face murals and street posters dotted across the city.

Visit elsajeandedieu.com to learn more about the art project.

expat-parent.com 7

what’s on JUN 6

La Creperie 10th Anniversary Learn the secret behind making La Creperie’s sweet crêpe batter and make your own crêpe with an assortment of toppings. Each guest will take home a jar of La Creperie’s homemade salted butter caramel. 10-11.30am. $228. 100 Queen’s East Road, Wan Chai. lacreperie.com.cn

EVERY WED AND SUN

Standup Comedy Open Mic Try your hand at comedy or watch new and seasoned comedians work out material. 7.3010.30pm and 8.30-11.30pm. Free. The Riff HK, 8/F California Tower, 30-32 D’Aguilar Street, Central. theriff.hk

stunning performance. 2.30pm and 7.30pm.

From $140. Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre, 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. hkballet.com

JUN 7

Philip Glass’s Akhnaten Follow the life of Anthony Roth Costanzo, the pharaoh and revolutionary ruler of ancient Egypt, in a reimagined Philip Glass performance. 5pm. $240. Béthanie Theatre, HKAPA Béthanie Landmark Heritage Campus, Pok Fu Lam. hkticketing.com

JUN 2

Online Malvern Meet An virtual information session for prospective parents to learn more about Malvern College Hong Kong, with senior management and admissions available to answer questions.

4-5pm. malverncollege.org.hk/infosession

JUN 12

French Cocktail Party Meet The Union des Français de l’Etranger’s newly appointed committee members. 8-10pm.

Members $200, non-members $500. Novotel Century Hong Kong, 238 Jaffe Road, Wan Chai. ufehongkong.hk

JUN 13

Midsummer Race 2020

JUN 6

Motorino Pizza Making Party

JUN 3 & 10

Lunchtime Destress Doodling

A 8.5km solo trail run through Tai Tam Reservoir Road and Violet Hill. Open to all ages. Race starts at 3pm. $220. Tai Tam Reservoir. xterace.com

An afternoon of wine and antipasto while making your very own Neapolitan pie with traditional Italian toppings. 3-6pm. $298. 15 Ship Street, Wan Chai. blacksheeprestaurants.com

An afternoon of peace and creativity with Wild at Art Studios’ lunchtime doodle classes. 12.302pm. $200, includes tea, doodle guidance and art materials. Wild at Art, 2-4 Elgin Street, Central. Facebook: wildatartstudios

JUN 5-7

JUN 14

Hong Kong Ballet brings Shakespeare’s timeless tale of star-crossed lovers to life in a

An 18km trail running race starting from Shuen Wan Country Park and finishing at Hong Lok

Romeo & Juliet

8 expat-parent.com

Kapuhala GreenRace 18

tell me more Yuen Country Club, with a spread of refreshments. 8am-6pm. From $690.

Bride’s Pool Road. runnerreg.com

mum about town

JUN 17-27

UNSCHEDULED The Hong Kong Art Gallery Association aims to re-energise the city’s art scene with a showcase of local galleries including 10 Chancery Lane Gallery, Ben Brown Fine Arts and more. $80. Duplex Studio, LG1/F & LG2/F, Block 1, Tai Kwun, 10 Hollywood Road, Central. hk-aga.org

JUN 19

Big Band Night – Basic Notes Friday Live Enjoy a night of live music, performed by Hong Kong’s very own jazz band, Basic Notes. 8.30-10.30pm. Fringe members $150, non-members $170, students and seniors $113. Hong Kong Fringe Club, 2 Lower Albert Road, Central. Facebook: Basic Notes

From mahjong with love If you’re still on the hunt for some unique Father’s Day gift ideas, join the mahjong making masterclass by craft master Ricky Cheung and illustrator Karen Aruba. Showcase your creativity by decorating your very own tiles for a personalised one-of-a-kind gift.

Mahjong Tiles Colouring Workshop at Tung Nam Lou Hotel: June 6, 2.30-4.30pm. $420. 23/F, Tung Nam Lou Hotel, 68 Portland Street, Yau Ma Tei. bit.ly/room68ig

JUN 20

Kindergartens Festival

Explore over 50 international and local kindergartens and discover the perfect curriculum for your child. 9am-4pm. $50. JW Marriott Hong Kong, 88 Queensway, Admiralty. kindergartensfestival.com

JUN 22 - AUG 21

Hebe Haven Yacht Club Summer Sailing and Multi-Activity Weeks Members and non-members can enjoy a summer of watersports activities every Monday to Friday.

Coach Ash will also be teaming up with the club to teach land activities and beach games. From $3,000. Hebe Haven Yacht Club, Pak Sha Wan, Sai Kung. hhyc.org.hk

JUN 25

Dragon Boat Festival

Another public holiday!

JUN 26 & 28

Yoga Bodyworker with Jambo Truong Join the Forrest Yoga Guardian for a bodywork yoga session focusing on structural alignment and muscle testing. June 26, 7pm and June 28, 4.30pm.

Pure members $2,850, non-members $3,562. pure-yoga.com

The story of Jao Tsung-i An exhibition to celebrate the legacy of Professor Jao Tsung-i is now on display. If you’re visiting the exhibition with your secondary school kids, they can join in on the inter-school field project competition for a chance to win a $60,000 scholarship.

‘The Story of Jao Tsung-i’ exhibition at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum: Until June 22. Free entry. heritagemuseum.gov.hk

expat-parent.com 9

10 expat-parent.com

BOOK NOW AUG 2

AUG 13-17

The first of two recces for Tigershead GreenRace, spanning 16km around Lantau island. 9am-1pm. From $830. Mui Wo Ferry Pier, Lantau Island. runnerreg.com

Sample international cuisines at affordable prices across three large halls. Opening hours vary depending on the hall you visit.

From $40. Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, 1 Expo Drive, Wan Chai. event.hktdc.com

Tigershead GreenRace Recce 1

HKTDC Food Expo 2020

AUG 30

Billie Eilish Where Do We Go? World Tour The Bad Guy singer will be performing live at Hong Kong’s AsiaWorld-Expo for the first time ever in her highly anticipated Where Do We Go? World Tour. 8pm. From $698.

AsiaWorld-Expo Arena, Lantau. livenation.com

expat-parent.com 11

news

Let’s get creative Happy Valley-based art school Art Roof Top is approaching its one year anniversary this June.

If you’re looking for a place to get creative, you can register for the school’s new membership starting from the beginning of July. It provides life drawing, portrait drawing, still life, outdoors painting, drama workshop, meditative movement workshop and more. There’s no better time to join – in an indirect fashion, perhaps art can be a guide for how to live and think in these ‘interesting times’. 17-19 Yik Yam Street, Happy Valley. artrooftop.com

Hong Kong Living Guide 2020 is out now Our popular annual Hong Kong Living Guide is back with all the essential information you need to know about life in the city. Inside the 180-page book, you’ll find useful tips and tricks, including everything you need to

12 expat-parent.com

know about schools, restaurants, beaches and hikes. Pick up a free copy of our guide at many locations across the city or read it online at hongkongliving.com

news

BABY NEWS Must-have breastfeeding supplies for nursing mums

ImpactHK opens a shop and café for charity 1ofaKind in Yau Ma Tei now sells new and pre-owned clothing, accessories and homewares at affordable prices with all profits to benefit those experiencing homelessness. As a charity dedicated to helping Hong Kong’s homeless population, all funds raised will help to serve this community. The shop has vibrant street art painted on the walls from artists Stern Rockwell, Roberta Boffo and Carol Bellese Choi and Eric Lee. It also has a community café serving delicious Redback coffee, tea and snacks. Customers are offered food and beverages at no cost, but they can also ‘pay as they feel’ or ‘pay it forward’. By paying it forward, customers can ensure that someone in need can walk into 1ofaKind and receive a hot drink or snack free of charge. ImpactHK sources food from a different local supplier every month, with the aim of supporting small businesses in the area.

G/F, Man Wai Building, 18 Man Wai Street, Jordan. impacthk.org

In Hong Kong, 87 percent of mothers initiate breastfeeding with their newborns soon after birth. However, only 27.9 percent of them are still exclusively nursing at six months postpartum, as recommended by the World Health Organization. There are a range of breastfeeding benefits that last well into your baby’s adulthood. These include reduced risks of ear infections, respiratory illnesses, diabetes and even a boost in IQ. If you’ve decided to breastfeed your baby, or at least give it a go, it can be helpful to have some help along the way. Here are three products from Nottoobig to help you on your breastfeeding journey.

Dr. Brown’s Gia Pillow A comfortable breastfeeding pillow can help support your baby and encourage latching.

LoveAmme Tailormade Pro Double Breast Pump This smart breast pump features personalised pumping programmes and different phases and suctions to help ease your breastfeeding experience.

Financial assistance for ESF parents ESF has launched a new ‘triple assistance’ financial package to help families who are having financial difficulties during the global pandemic crisis. Three schemes are as follows: all ESF fee-paying families can receive a 45 percent discount per student on their fees in June; the current ESF Financial Assistance Scheme will be extended to include the families of Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 7 students; and the launch of a new ‘Covid-19 Emergency Assistance Scheme’ allowing families to defer up to 50 percent of their April, May and June fees with the option to pay back over 24 months starting in January 2021. “The impact of the global pandemic has left many of our families facing economic difficulties – and we want to do everything that we can to support them,” says ESF Chief Executive Officer Belinda Greer. “The triple assistance package that we are announcing today is designed to give immediate assistance to those who need it most.”

Full details of the ‘triple assistance package’ can be found at esf.edu.hk/ tripleassistance

Mustela Nursing Comfort Balm Infused with organic olive oil and vitamin E, this vegan cream can help protect, moisturise and soothe any nipple pain.

NotTooBig Mega Baby Expo Date: Oct 29 - Nov 1, 2020 (Thu-Sun) Time: Oct 29-3, 2020 12 noon-8pm Nov 1, 2020 11am-6pm Venue: Star Hall & Rotunda 2, 3/F, Kowloon Bay International Trade and Exhibition Centre Fee:

$10/ person

expat-parent.com 13

THINGS TO KNOW

1

The festival is held every year on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese lunar calendar.

This year it falls on June 25.

2

The holiday commemorates the life and death of a famous Chinese scholar named Qu Yuan who died in a river. The villagers frantically paddled boats out to recover him and that’s how the dragon boat races began.

3 4

Zongzi is a traditional snack eaten during the Dragon Boat Festival. It is a pyramidshaped sticky rice dumpling wrapped in bamboo leaves. It is believed that the villagers had thrown these dumplings into the river to keep the fish from eating Qu Yuan’s body.

Things you need to know Dragon Boat Festival

5

14 expat-parent.com

Traditional dragon boats can hold between 10 to 50 paddlers. The rhythm of the team is guided by a leader called a ‘drummer’.

In Hong Kong, different dragon boat races usually take place at different locations during the festival. More than 4,000 athletes from around the world come to Hong Kong during this time to compete at the races.

6

This year, due to the coronavirus outbreak, several major races including the Sun Life Stanley International Dragon Boat Championships, Sha Tin and Aberdeen Dragon Boat Races, have been postponed or cancelled.

expat-parent.com 15

MUST HAVES 3D puzzle astronaut ‘Buddy’ $728 from OKURA okurastore.com

Whiskey wedge $198 from MoMA Design Store momastore.hk

Noise cancelling headphones 700 with charging case $3,599 from BOSE bose.hk

Daddy cool Nicole Slater rounds up the best gadgets and gizmos for the main man in your life

Arrivé Hannover slim brief $6,890 from TUMI tumi-hk.com

Betta 'Chinese Opera Man' slippers $298 from Goods of Desire god.com.hk

16 expat-parent.com

GOPRO Hero 8 $3,300 from Broadway broadwaylifestyle.com

MUST HAVES Cardhu 12 years single malt whisky $768 from The Bottle Shop thebottleshop.hk

Customisable classic mapiful $325 from Mapiful mapiful.com

Nox mini bar $4,490 from Indigo Living Indigo-living.com

Napoleon Rogue 525 4 burner $10,990 from Everything Under The Sun everythingunderthesun.com.hk Leather wine cooler $1490 from Indigo Living indigo-living. com

Father’s Day cards $30 from The Lion Rock Press thelionrockpress.com

expat-parent.com 17

18 expat-parent.com

me & my big idea

My Little Korner dreams big Vivian Wong helps parents shop more consciously with eco-friendly kids products. By Apple Lee So what’s the big idea?

My Little Korner is an eco-friendly lifestyle concept store that offers high quality kids products made with sustainable materials.

Our products include clothing, toys, baby care products and kitchen utensils. We are passionate about protecting the environment and are excited to give parents more options for choosing kids products that are good for our planet.

How did the idea come about?

Many of my friends have become mothers in the past few years. Through talking to them, I found that many were disappointed with the lack of affordable, high quality baby and children’s products in Hong Kong. They raised concerns over the design and materials used in the products they found. Moreover, some of them were worried about the environmental impact of baby products.

In identifying a gap in the market, I started doing some research on sustainable baby products. I found that many European and North American baby brands were offering eco-friendly alternatives, yet the choices here in Hong Kong were still limited. That’s why I decided to introduce these products to Hong Kong.

What is your proudest moment of starting your own business?

I feel so encouraged when our customers are satisfied with our products and I am proud to be raising awareness about the importance of conserving the environment.

What is your best advice for aspiring entrepreneurs?

It’s easy to start a business, but incredibly difficult to sustain it! Thanks to innovations in technology, there are now many ways to launch a business at a very low cost. This

means that you can set up a business even when you have a limited budget. To be able to maintain a business in the long run, however, you must remember the why – the reason you decided to start your business in the first place – and stick with that idea through hard times.

What’s next for My Little Korner?

We are working on improving our online platform to build a stronger connection with our customers, and hopefully, we can also share our message of sustainability and environmental protection with even more people.

What do you enjoy doing in your downtime?

Family time is very important to me, including time spent with my dog – a very spoilt Goldendoodle. We enjoy hiking together during the weekends, trying out new restaurants and travelling together.

Find My Little Korner at Shop 2015, Level 2, YOHO Mall I, 9 Long Yat Road, Yuen Long or mylittlekorner.com

expat-parent.com 19

C ST OV O ER RY

A force of good

These Hong Kong charities and social enterprises are on a mission to bring the city back to life – here’s how you can be involved with their causes, Charmaine Ng finds out

Fundraising platforms In the hot seat with Jo SooTang What inspired you to start Cookie Smiles?

My business partner Agnes and I have been helping the community for many years. I have personally volunteered at a range of local non-profit organisations, but we wanted to make a difference in our own humble way. Being jobless is not an option in Hong Kong as it is one of the world’s most expensive cities to Agnes Chin and Jo Soo-Tang started online fundraising platform Cookie Smiles to amidat the coronavirus outbreak support the disadvantaged

Cookie Smiles

What it’s about Cookie Smiles is a social enterprise and online fundraising platform based around selling cookies, a much-loved comfort food. Born in the span of a few weeks during the coronavirus pandemic, when charities are finding it even harder to sustain donations and fundraising efforts, the enterprise aims to help support three chosen charities each year under the umbrella of the Edible Arts Global Academy Association. At the same time, it is also reaching out to the socially disadvantaged and physically impaired by offering training and job opportunities to keep them gainfully employed. cookiesmiles.com.hk Why you should care A portion of the proceeds raised from the sales of Cookie Smiles’ products is donated to three charities: Splash Foundation, which runs free adult swimming programmes for migrant domestic workers and refugees, as well as for kids from low-income communities; Down Syndrome Association HK, which 20 expat-parent.com

serves individuals with Down Syndrome, intellectual disabilities or other disabilities with family support and vocational rehabilitation services; and Nesbitt Centre, which provides adapted programmes that aim to empower individuals with learning disabilities to achieve independent living. Concurrently, supporting Cookie Smiles means supporting its two apprentice bakers, Ah Mei and Wei Wei, who are in their mid-fifties and admirably overcame redundancies in previous jobs.

How to help Simply purchase a handcrafted cookie pack for $100! Cookie Smiles is available at all branches of Feather and Bone.

live in. Redundancy is not an option, for that same reason.Through Cookie Smiles, we are able to offer training opportunities and provide jobs for the physically impaired.

Why is Cookie Smiles important to you?

I have always wanted to develop a selfsustaining business that engages the community. This is why Cookies Smiles’ formula as a social enterprise is so exciting for Agnes and me.

What do you hope to achieve with the project?

Our three main goals this year is to work with corporations that want to do good for the local community, support at least three charities and help disadvantaged individuals find employment.

R VE Y O R C TO S starting a fundraising campaign or simply donating. Charitable Choice is also always on the lookout for volunteers. Throughout the years, it has relied on volunteer support for various fundraising campaigns and events, as well as skilled volunteers to help it build and sustain its capacity. Everyone has something to offer – it could be your time and skills.

How Charitable Choice started “When my husband and I had our first child, we were overwhelmed with the generosity of friends and family.

I remember thinking that we are so Eugene Hsia, Cheryl Wilson, Rowena Hoy and Sammy Fang make up the Board of Directors of local charity giving platform Charitable Choice

Charitable Choice

What it’s about Charitable Choice is a registered charity that aims to harness the cumulative power of small donations to support pressing social needs in Hong Kong. It encourages and enables corporates and individuals to give back to the local community through its interactive and user-friendly digital charity giving platform. By partnering with more than 40 locally registered

The Fred Hollows Foundation What it’s about The Fred Hollows Foundation is an international development organisation working to end avoidable blindness. The foundation takes a sustainable development approach to its work in 25 countries through training medical staff, building or equipping medical facilities and providing screening and treatment for eye conditions. It has restored sight to more than 2.5 million people worldwide. Founded by renowned ophthalmologist and humanitarian Professor Fred Hollows in 1992 in Australia, the foundation opened in Hong Kong in 2015 to better reach the needlessly blind in Asia. hollows.org/hk

charities, Charitable Choice helps raise funds for a variety of causes that benefit the community. Acting as a bridge that connects donors with these charities, Charitable Choice has raised more than $3 million to support those in need. charitablechoice.org.hk

fortunate but there are so many people living in need. So I asked my friends and family members to donate to charity instead of giving us gifts. They all thought it was a great idea but didn’t know where to start. That’s when I was inspired to startCharitable Choice.” –

How to help You can help Charitable Choice raise funds for its charity partners by purchasing its unique gift cards, sending someone an e-gift card,

Cheryl Wilson, Founder and CEO of Charitable Choice

Health a livelihood and children can perform to their full potential at school. Healthy vision increases productivity; and in fact, studies have shown that for every $1 you invest in eye health, $4 in economic return is generated for the community.

Hollows Foundation’s work is only possible with the compassion and generosity of donors.

A gift of as little as $150 can help provide cataract surgery and restore sight. You can also support the foundation by following its Facebook (The Fred Hollows Foundation Hong Kong) and Instagram (@fredhollowshk).

How to help As a not-for-profit organisation, The Fred

Why you should care Over 36 million people are blind worldwide, but four out of five people who are blind don’t have to be! In remote or impoverished areas, people are already vulnerable to a myriad of challenges and being visually impaired makes their lives even harder. With corrected or restored vision, people can earn expat-parent.com 21

C ST OV O ER RY 22 expat-parent.com

What it’s about A non-profit organisation founded in 2009, Clean Air Network’s mission is to amplify the voices of individuals and groups to together urge the government to take appropriate measures to clean up Hong Kong’s air. This invisible issue is one that has a major impact on human health, from pregnant mothers to the elderly. The impact of the organisation’s work may not be visible instantaneously, but in the long run, if the government prioritises air quality and takes steps to clean the air, it

would raise an entire generation of healthy adults. To achieve this, Clean Air Network is promoting understanding between experts and the public, gathering air data, identifying major air pollution hotspots around schools and pushing for better policies towards the government’s agenda to benefit children, like creating zero-emission or ultra-low emission zones around schools. hongkongcan.org Why you should care Clean air is a basic right for all. With this in mind, Clean Air Network works towards improving the air quality in Hong Kong. The

R VE Y O R C TO S

Clean Air Network

Environment

organisation recently launched a project called ‘Let Our Children Breathe’, which speaks on behalf of children in the city. Air pollution particularly affects younger people, impacting neurodevelopment and cognitive ability and can trigger asthma and childhood cancer.

Children have fragile developing lungs, breathe faster than adults and walk at heights closer to the ground, where some pollutants reach peak concentration. The vulnerability of children towards air pollution is unimaginable. In a local study conducted by Kwong Wah Hospital analysing data of over 46,000 schoolchildren, it was estimated that one out of 10 children affected by asthma or allergic respiratory system are triggered by air pollution.

How to help You can start by raising awareness of air pollution and the need for cleaner air on your own terms or invite Clean Air Network for a talk in your workplace and school. The organisation is happy to collaborate with groups for fundraising efforts and seeks donations to support its ongoing work.

Clean Air Network hosted the Hong Kong Air Pollution Conference at Renaissance School as part of its outreach programme

K for Kids What it’s about K for Kids was founded in 2015 to help the thousands of kids in Hong Kong who are residing in out-of-home care. These children are either voluntarily or involuntarily removed from their homes or families for a temporary, medium or long period of time and placed in the care of someone else. This could mean living in a foster home, in a group home or a care facility. K for Kids’ mission is to make sure children in this position feel loved and supported, giving them opportunities to experience what others their age get to experience, like picking their own ice cream, going to the movies or having a birthday party. kforkidsfoundation.org

Children and elderly asset and the most vulnerable ones deserve a support network to ensure that they are given a chance to thrive.

How to help K for Kids hosts regular events for children in out-of-home care, including quarterly birthday parties, night outings, foster care workshops

and Summer Klub. The organisation is always looking for talented volunteers, such as photographers, graphic designers, art, music or dance teachers, magicians, bakers and more. It is also looking for children therapists, psychologists and educators to help design its programmes to target specific needs.

Why you should care Currently in Hong Kong, there are approximately 4,000 children in out-of-home care. Statistics show that children exposed to institutional care or foster care experience developmental delays and are six times as likely as other children to have behavioural problems. Children are society’s greatest K for Kids Founder Kaye Dong and Tyler

expat-parent.com 23

C ST OV O ER RY

Why you should care OneSky believes that unlimited potential lies within each child. All children should have full access to loving, nurturing care and quality early education. Sadly, for many vulnerable children, that right simply does not exist.

OneSky trains caregivers to provide nurturing early childhood care at educational institutions, villages and factories. Raising a generation of children who grow up being cherished will enable them to pass the love forward to the generation that follows. A world full of children who are given the opportunity to flourish may well be our solution for a better future.

OneSky What it’s about OneSky teaches communities and caregivers to provide responsive care and early education for vulnerable young children in China, Mongolia and Vietnam. Founded in 1997, OneSky grew from training caregivers in two Chinese government welfare institutions to more than 50, before shifting its focus to

HOPE worldwide

HOPE worldwide’s annual Great Santa Run helps raise funds to support children with special educational needs (SEN)

What it’s about HOPE worldwide is an international Christian charity with a mission to change lives by providing sustainable, high-impact and community-based services to those in need. Founded in 1991 by the International Churches of Christ, the charity has helped

OneSky’s Early Learning Centre in Da Nang, Vietnam

scaling quality care and becoming a training organisation. Having helped to reimagine China’s welfare system, OneSky expanded to the country’s poorest rural villages to reach the children of migrant workers who have left home. Since 1998, it has trained more than 43,000 caregivers and directly impacted more than 200,000 children. onesky.org

more than 1.5 million people around the world. What makes HOPE worldwide different is its global presence and highly localised programmes. Its experience with volunteerprofessional collaboration allows it to reach a great number of people in need. Every year, HOPE worldwide mobilises over 3,000 volunteers to visit single elders to provide screening on fall prevention with the aids developed by The Chinese University of Hong Kong. Through this two-tiered model, the charity has served over 43,000 elders. It also addresses the surge of students with special educational needs (SEN) by providing after school tutorial services and other training programmes. hopeww.org.hk

How to help OneSky welcomes all support, be it financial or through volunteering. It offers a Child Sponsorship Programme that supports children in China, Mongolia and Vietnam. In Hong Kong, donations to the new P. C. Lee OneSky Global Centre for Early Childhood Education are welcome. The centre serves local vulnerable children and their families and provides a regional training centre for global best practices in early childhood care. The organisation also welcomes new supporters for its annual Hong Kong Gala on October 15 and Charity Hike on November 7.

aims to lessen the burden of SEN families, especially those with low-income.

How to help In Hong Kong, you can help fulfil HOPE worldwide’s plan to mobilise volunteers to bring hope and change the lives of those below the poverty line or in need. If you have time or money to spare, join the charity as one of the volunteers, make a monetary donation to support the elderly and SEN children in Hong Kong or join its fundraising event Great Santa Run in December.

Why you should care According to the Hong Kong government, the number of elderly people over 65 years old is 980,000, approximately 14 percent of the total population. HOPE worldwide’s goal is to help single elderly people, who are often living alone in substandard circumstances, age healthily and with dignity. At the same time, the number of SEN children has increased by 179 percent in 10 years to 49,100 in 2018, yet there is still an extreme lack of support for SEN families in Hong Kong. HOPE worldwide Jonathan Liu, Executive Director at HOPE worldwide

24 expat-parent.com

R VE Y O R C TO S

Haven of Hope Christian Service

education and boarding services and integrated vocational rehabilitation.

What it’s about For over six decades, Haven of Hope Christian Service (HOHCS) has served with the mission ‘Respecting Life. Impacting Life’. When Norwayborn Sister Annie and a group of like-minded missionaries first came to Hong Kong, they took care of the neglected and indisposed refugees in the then-barren Tiu Keng Leng.

Today, HOHCS has developed into a charitable organisation with its over 54 service units, offering health care, elderly and rehabilitation services. In 2018 and 2019, HOHCS helped nearly 830,000 people with the endeavour to impact their lives with the respect they deserve. hohcs.org.hk

How to help You can keep HOHCS running and help the displaced and disadvantaged by offering a monetary donation, either online, through direct debit, crossed cheque or cash donation

via 7-Eleven convenience stores. The charity also accepts policy donation, donation by estate wishes, legacy or corporate donations.

Alternatively, you can donate your time by becoming a volunteer. HOHCS’ volunteer opportunities are managed through Social Career, an online platform where you can browse its different volunteer opportunities.

Why you should care To help the ageing population in the city, some of whom are left alone in substandard housing without adequate physical and mental support, HOHCS offers day care, home care, community service, residential service and more. The charity also believes that everyone is born equal with their own talents, including those with disabilities. To help them tap into their potential, it provides early education and training, special

Ethnic minority and social inclusion their FDW mothers living in extreme poverty in Chung King Mansions. Unlawfully fired upon becoming pregnant, the mothers could only afford to feed their babies rice water.

PathFinders believes that all children matter and that every child deserves a fair start in life. Besides providing access to emergency shelter, essential supplies, healthcare, education and justice, all mothers and babies are provided care and counselling to ensure they can overcome their challenges and plan for a brighter future. To date, PathFinders has improved the lives of almost 7,000 babies, children and women who have fallen through the cracks in Hong Kong’s public welfare and healthcare services. pathfinders.org.hk PathFinders believes every child in Hong Kong deserves a fair start in life

PathFinders What it’s about PathFinders is the only Hong Kong charity that supports vulnerable children born to migrant mothers, predominantly foreign domestic workers (FDW). Established in 2008, its founders discovered two babies and

Why you should care Hong Kong currently employs 390,000 FDWs, mostly women of childbearing age. All working women in Hong Kong, including FDWs, are entitled to 10 weeks of maternity leave, but currently no clear guidelines exist on how to successfully manage a FDW pregnancy. As a result, many expectant FDWs are unlawfully fired or pressured to resign, plunging them and their unborn babies into crisis. They

immediately become homeless and within two weeks, when their working visa expires, they lose all access to public welfare and healthcare services vital for prenatal screening. Their children are likely to be born into poverty, are undocumented and stateless, and lack access to medical care, immunisations, basic supplies and education.

How to help Like many non-profit organisations in Hong Kong, the recent Covid-19 crisis has had a profound impact on PathFinders’ fundraising.

Uncertainty as to whether it can hold its annual Fundraising Dinner, which typically raises $3 million, means it faces closing its emergency shelter and scaling back key services at its community centre. At the same time, it has seen an 80 percent increase in hotline calls since January and staff are at full capacity managing 173 cases, involving 213 babies and children. You can help by supporting its current SparkRaise.com campaign to keep its shelter open, making a gift via TwoPresents. com on your child’s next birthday or signing up as a volunteer or monthly donor.

expat-parent.com 25

C ST OV O ER RY

Resolve Foundation What it’s about Resolve Foundation’s mission is to bring about a more socially just, kinder and inclusive Hong Kong. It seeks to empower emerging community leaders who are passionate about equality and inclusivity to take everyday action, make their voices heard and create positive changes. Every year, the non-profit organisation welcomes a group of 20 individuals, who have leadership potential but could use more support to advance their goals, into its Social Justice Fellowship. The fellowship combines leadership development, human rights education and campaigning skills. Fellows come from all walks of life, but Resolve Foundation prioritises people from traditionally marginalised and underrepresented groups like refugees and asylum seekers, domestic workers and sexual minorities in Hong Kong. resolvehk.org Why you should care Hong Kong is a diverse and multicultural city, but it is also one of the most unequal cities in the developed world. These disparities have been accentuated during Covid-19, where certain groups have a harder time getting access to medical supplies, are more susceptible to morbidity or are more vulnerable

Resolve Foundation launched its Social Justice Fellowship Program in 2018 to bring together emerging leaders and equip them with skills needed for social justice leadership

to poverty in the economic downturn. Resolve Foundation wants to make sure these communities can be better looked after and have a say in society, both in the short and long term.

How to help As a young non-profit organisation, Resolve Foundation needs a community of supporters to help run with its day-to-day operations.

Whether you are working full-time or a stay-athome parent, you can become a member of

HELP for Domestic Workers What it’s about HELP for Domestic Workers aims to empower foreign domestic workers through advice, assistance and education and to help them gain access to justice under the law. The organisation was founded in 1989, when James Collins, a barrister from Wales and a worshipping member of St John’s Cathedral, became acquainted with domestic workers in Hong Kong. He and other lawyers soon banded together to provide free legal and professtional advice to domestic workers on Sundays, aiding them with employment, immigration and human rights issues. As demand for the lawyers’ assistance grew, the Cathedral provided a telephone and an office for them to work from.

Today, the organisation has five full-time and one part-time staff and a team of volunteers to provide advice and support to domestic workers in need. helpfordomesticworkers.org

Manuela Basto joined HELP in 2013 and is currently the Chairperson of the Board.

26 expat-parent.com

Why you should care Foreign domestic workers are a vitally important part of Hong Kong life. Despite being one of the world’s most affluent places, the territory is

the organisation’s new Resolver programme and make a monthly donation to empower the disadvantaged groups and advance social justice. Donations help Resolve Foundation run its Social Justice Fellowship for emerging leaders for free and allows the organisation to better forecast and plan for the future.

In addition to financial assistance, Resolve Foundation is also looking for experienced volunteers to provide their insights on communications, human resources and technology.

short on accessible child care and elder care services. More than 78 percent of women in Hong Kong are able to return to the workforce with the help of domestic workers at home.

However, workers can some times experience exploitative working conditions. Employers may deny them resting time and accommodation and employment agencies may overcharge them, leaving them heavily debt burdened.

Amid rising concerns, extreme forms of labour exploitation, like forced labour and human trafficking, are also becoming increasingly common.

How to help HELP for Domestic Workers welcomes legal experts to work with its case managers as well as professionals in other areas such as marketing, PR, communications, social media management, finance, fundraising and event coordination on a part-time or full-time volunteer basis. It relies heavily on individual donations in order to fulfil its commitment to the community and continue delivering vital services for all domestic workers in Hong Kong. Regular monthly donations, no matter how big or small, are key to the charity’s continued success and survival.

What it’s about Driven by the vision that everyone deserves a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity began in 1976 as a grassroots organisation on a community farm in the US. It has since grown to become a leading global non-profit organisation, working in over 70 countries to help more than 29 million people build or improve a place they call home. For the last 15

years, Habitat for Humanity Hong Kong has played a significant role in raising awareness of housing as a critical foundation for a better, healthier and more financially stable life. habitat.org.hk Why you should care Hong Kong is ranked as one of the world’s most expensive cities to live in with 20 percent of the population living below the poverty line. As the world is being told to stay home to combat the spread of the coronavirus, the pandemic

CEO at Habitat for Humanity Hong Kong Jo Hayes joins frontline efforts in building safe shelters for those in need

R VE Y O R C TO S

Habitat for Humanity Hong Kong

Poverty

has exposed the extreme inequalities in the housing market. This is not just a public health emergency, it is also a housing emergency.

Not only is decent and affordable housing a catalyst for pulling families out of a low- or no- income existence and breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty, it is a driver and contributor for 13 of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. A sustainable world encompasses inclusive housing and helping those who don’t have a decent home.

How to help In the short term, you can aid Habitat for Humanity in its efforts during the coronavirus pandemic, where it is providing emergency support to disadvantaged people through the distribution of home hygiene products and protective materials. It has distributed over 20,000 products to more than 4,000 elderly families and three elderly residential care homes to help keep their living environments clean and hygienic. If you are looking for an opportunity to provide sustainable funding support for a worthy cause, you can contribute to Habitat for Humanity’s fundraising efforts. Its monthly donors provide a critical source of funding that enables it to strategically plan its programmes for the months and years to come.

International Care Ministries What it’s about International Care Ministries (ICM) was started in 1992 by a group of Filipino pastors who were moved by the extreme poverty they saw in their home city of Bacolod, Philippines.

They began feeding the poor and running open air medical clinics. Over time, ICM grew, receiving strategic direction from an active international board based in Hong Kong.

The charity’s holistic four-month communitybased intervention has graduated over 1.2 million people across central and southern Philippines. Its mission is to deliver the right support, right training and right resources to unlock the bondages of poverty. caremin.com Why you should care ICM is focused on helping families who live in ultra-poverty, which means that they live on less than US$0.50 per person per day. Poverty isn’t a singular issue. It affects many different aspects of a person’s life, having implications for an individual’s aspirations and self-worth.

Through its four-month interactive learning programme ‘Transform’, ICM addresses four

key areas essential for hope to grow: values, health, livelihood and education. Taking small steps in each of these areas can add up to lasting change for the participants and their families. Ultra-poor participants have reported 46 percent more hope, 146 percent increase in income, 27 percent reduction in illness and 88 percent of malnourished children cured.

How to help You can get involved by donating, volunteering

or simply taking a trip to the Philippines – once all the bans are lifted, of course. If you would like to donate, you can choose between giving towards ICM’s general fund or towards any specific program that you are passionate about. In the past, the charity has had volunteers help with different writing projects and with its annual banquet in October. ICM is also in need of high quality photos that depict what life in the Philippines is like and welcomes photographers to join its trips abroad. expat-parent.com 27

My HONG KONG

From one generation to the next Hong Kong activists and philanthropists on raising children who want to give back. By Apple Lee Roshan Melwani The third-generation owner of Sam’s Tailor and avid supporter of The Community Chest is a firm believer in leading by example when it comes to encouraging his three children to embrace acts of kindness How do you make volunteering a part of you and your family’s life?

I’ve been going out and distributing meals to rough sleepers for seven years. Every other Sunday morning, I meet with a group of friends at 6.15am. We go around Sham Shui Po and Yau Ma Tei to give some food and a warm drink to the people we find on the streets. It’s sad to see all this, but it’s a reality that we face and every bit of help we can offer makes a difference. When handing out the food, we stop to help those we are servicing to prepare cup noodles and tea with hot water from our thermos.

Nowadays, my three children are doing the same. Serena (11), Saria (9) and Riaan (8) have joined similar community service groups for kids of their age to distribute lunches to those in need a few times each year. As their father, I am proud to see my children taking care of others and spreading wellness into people’s lives.

I am also a member of The Community Chest and a Co-chairman of one of its committees. Being involved with a nonprofit organisation gives me the opportunity to visit different schools and connect with the younger generation of volunteer leaders.

It means a lot to me to be able to give back to the community on a personal level.

Besides volunteering, what are some ways to give back to the community?

I believe charity begins at home. If every family in Hong Kong does their part in taking care of their own members, everyone 28 expat-parent.com

would be better off. It’s important to instill in our children values like empathy, kindness, respect and willingness to pay it forward.

My eldest daughter is currently putting together an exhibition on gender equality to raise awareness about discrimination

against women in education, job opportunities and more. I am so proud to see her spreading awareness about what is happening and encouraging others to take action. Like I said, every little bit of effort counts!

MY HONG KONG How are you raising your kids to be compassionate?

Children are the key to our future. As their parents, we are their role models. When they see us reaching out and helping others, they will learn to follow our example. Starting a business, I am lucky to have the opportunity to make a difference in the community. My online shop The Wee Bean has partnered with Hathay Bunano, a non-profit trade organisation in Bangladesh, for the making of our Bean rattle doll. Through this project, we are able to offer employment opportunities to disadvantaged women from rural Bangladesh who would otherwise find it difficult to earn a fair pay.

We absolutely love being able to be a part of Hathay Bunano’s mission. We love that as children, including the two we have at home, play with our doll, they are also contributing to this worthy cause.

Besides teaching our children moral values and social responsibility, I believe in empowering them to take action to give back.

For example, if I were to talk to my children about environmental protection, I’d take them to them park, let them run around and play games with whatever they find in nature. When they feel more connected to nature, they also start to appreciate the need to take care of the planet.

Amy Tang Tang is a mum of two and the Founder of The Wee Bean, an e-commerce shop that gives back through supporting non-profit organisations Angels for Children and Hathay Bunano Proshikan Society Tell us about a memorable moment volunteering with your children.

For my daughter’s first Christmas, she took part in our yearly tradition of packing Secret Santa presents for underprivileged children.

When we received the Christmas wish list from these children, it amazed me seeing how many of them were simply asking for practical items like pencils or notebooks. This reminded me of

just how fortunate we are and this is something I want my kids to grow up understanding.

Last Christmas, my daughter turned two. She started developing a better understanding of the world and was able to help me sort through the different gifts. While she was doing that, she came across a monkey toy that she just wouldn’t let go. I explained to her that she already had many toys while other children might not be as fortunate as her. When she considered this and helped me pack the monkey into the bag, it made me feel like the proudest mum in the world. It’s a small but memorable moment. Our kids really do understand a lot more than we give them credit for.

What are some ways children and families can give back to Hong Kong?

There are so many fantastic organisations that do so much for our community and beyond.

We recently donated a shipment of sanitisers to Wing Wah Charitable Foundation after seeing a story on social media that there is a big population of elderly with low income in Hong Kong that are unable to purchase items like these, making them a high risk population during this pandemic.

We are particularly passionate about a project between Angels for Children and Bali Kids that covers the costs associated with C-section and formula for expectant mothers with HIV. This can help to prevent transmission of this disease to their baby. In fact, The Wee Bean donates a portion of all our proceeds towards this initiative.

That being said, I don’t believe that donating and volunteering need to be official. Simply helping to run errands for a neighbour or offering extra masks and sanitisers to those who cannot afford it during this time are all actions that, in a whole, contribute to making our community a better place. expat-parent.com 29

30 expat-parent.com

MY HONG KONG Nissa Cornish Cornish is a mum of a two-year-old boy and the Executive Director of Redress, an environmental NGO with the mission to reduce waste in the fashion industry through working with designers, industry and consumers How do you promote environmental awareness in your son Benjamin?

Young children observe their own parents so closely and learn a lot from their behaviour, so we do try to model compassion, gratitude and common sense.

As a way to be in service to our local community in Mui Wo whilst having fun, we have introduced weekend ‘neighbourhood cleanups’ into our family routine. Each week, we choose a nearby field or stream and set off with a few bin liners. It’s so rewarding to see our little boy take pride in cleaning up nature with us – it’s a treasure hunt and a lesson all in one! We haven’t done a beach cleanup with him yet but that will be next.

What are some ways children and families in Hong Kong can contribute to the sustainability movement?

A great activity for school-aged kids is a clothing swap. This can teach them the value of ‘unwanted’ clothing and rewards them with new clothes they wouldn’t have gotten if they just discarded their clothes.

Parents can also encourage children to take part in their seasonal closet clean-outs, which helps to create an understanding of where the clothing goes. For instance, you can ask the child whether they’d prefer to throw away a too-small garment or give it to a younger child to wear. Usually they would choose the latter – they’d be pleased to have done a nice thing and had it be ‘their idea’.

What are your hopes for what the future holds for your child?

It goes without saying that our kids are the future and we’ve left them a bit of a mess.

It’s our responsibility to equip them, as best we can, to live in this world together and work on the problems we’ve created. Also, I want my child to experience and recognise the happiness you get from helping others.

I’d love for my son to be able to explore the world with the freedom that I’ve had the privilege to experience myself. I hope

that he will be able to experience nature in all its wonder – to breathe in fresh air, dive coral reefs, hike mountain ridges, observe animals in the wild, swim pristine beaches, eat clean unprocessed food and gather with

friends around a campfire. I know it’s a big ask, given the way things seem to be going in 2020, but it’s definitely something to dream and work toward.

expat-parent.com 31

EDUCATION

Let the fun begin Charmaine Ng rounds up the best summer camps for your kids and teens Sports and outdoors

has a farm, forests, a tree-house, streams to paddle in and many play spaces for children aged five to 11 to run around. It has also adopted a ‘forest school’ ethos and story-based adventure dramas – mostly to save the planet – to its repertoire. arkedenonlantau.org

Hebe Haven Yacht Club

Ark Eden For a summer camp filled with nature and outdoor play, Ark Eden is your answer. The leading eco-education and permaculture centre 32 expat-parent.com

Give your children the opportunity to head outdoors this summer with Hebe Haven Yacht Club’s summer sailing programme. From June to August, the club is offering five courses for little sailors, which include Multi-Activity Weeks and Race Training for Beginners. Each course runs every week of the summer holidays, Mondays to Fridays. Kids can bring their own lunch or pay $500 for the Club Lunch Buffet. hhyc.org.hk

Outward Bound A local registered charity, Outward Bound has for the past 50 years provided thousands of young people with personal development experiences in the rugged beauty of Hong Kong wilderness. This summer, it has arranged various one to 18 day courses that will empower children and teens to rely on themselves and their peers to achieve their group goals.

Activities include sea kayaking, sailing, hiking, rock climbing, high ropes, camping, gorging

EDUCATION Languages Hong Kong Kids Academy Launched by the Hong Kong Institute of Languages, the Hong Kong Kids Academy provides a holistic offering for young learners that includes foreign language courses (English, French, German, Spanish, Mandarin and Japanese), enrichment programmes (after school activities and holiday camps) as well as an English-Mandarin bilingual preschool stream. This summer, the Academy is hosting fun and educational programmes designed to help children catch up as well as prepare for the new school year. The programme includes Little Linguist, a language course; Little Scientist, a stem course; and Little Talents, an arts course. hklanguages.com to expand their imagination and become more confident onstage performers, they will also create special memories to treasure forever. starlitvoice.com

Science and technology Big Bang Academy Outward Bound Hong Kong

and raft-building, which children can take part in at its two bases in Tai Mong Tsai, Sai Kung and Wong Wan Chau, a remote island. outwardbound.org.hk

Treasure Island Now in its 15th year, Treasure Island is back with nine weeks of the biggest Surf & Adventure camp training for surfers aged five to 16 years.

Suitable for children and teenagers of all levels, the week-long day camps cover Grommets, Intermediates and Young Adventurers. The courses not only get the kids surfing, but also teach water skills, ocean safety and environmental awareness. treasureislandhk.com

Creative and performing arts Starlit Voice What better way to make some theatre magic than with Starlit Voice’s Magical Tales summer camp? Filled with musical fables like Into the Woods and Once Upon a Mattress, as well as exciting tales like The Little Mermaid, the programme explores theatre magic in every sense of the word. Not only will students learn

This July, Big Bang Academy will be hosting its five day detective-themed science summer camp for children aged five to 12. With a vision to inspire self-motivated learning, Big Bang Academy has invited several celebrity professors to show the camp’s little scientists a wide range of exciting experiments never seen before. Online camps are also conveniently available at the comfort of home, with topics about dinosaurs, outer-space and much more! bigbangacademyhk.com

Goethe-Institut Hongkong As the official cultural institute of Germany, The Goethe-Institut offers a large number of summer intensive courses for children and teenagers from June to August every year. Kids from five years of age will have holidays with Bunny Hans Hase or Bruno the Bear, immerse into German and acquire the language almost effortlessly through a variety of activities such as story-telling, singing, playing and doing little handicrafts. Meanwhile, teenagers will gain fascinating insights into life in Germany and make new friends in the institute’s wellstructured lessons with clear goals and current topics. goethe.de/hongkong

First Code Academy With schools being closed most of this year so far, First Code Academy is determined to provide children with the best coding learning experience, both online globally and in-person in Hong Kong and Taiwan. From the beginning of June to the end of August, the school is offering more than 200 modules for kids three and above, including Minecraft, Roblox, Scratch, Python and an all-new IB Bootcamp. firstcodeacademy.com

Alliance Francaise de Hong Kong Have a French staycation in Hong Kong with expat-parent.com 33

EDUCATION

34 expat-parent.com

EDUCATION enjoy Smooth and Swift to help them transition from primary to secondary school and Focus on Me which trains resilience and stress management. sproutinmotion.com

The Harbour School THS is running its Fully Immersive Scholar’s Holiday (F.I.S.H.) courses this summer from June to August. F.I.S.H courses offer deep dives for small groups into new and fascinating topics over school holiday breaks and are open to any scholar in Hong Kong, even if they are not enrolled at THS. The courses are held at the school’s The Grove campus, utilising the Marine Science Centre, Foundry, Library and Black Box Theatre. ths.edu.hk

Alliance Francaise! Courses are designated for children from three to 10 years old and teenagers from 11 to 17 years old, now open for registration. These summer thematic workshops allow your little ones to learn French in a fun and interactive environment. afhongkong.org

tackling a specific issue, such as Literacy Boost which is aimed at children with dyslexia and Munch Bunch which is aimed at picky eaters; whilst others offer a general scope, such as

Master Class Education Give your children a head start this summer!

Master Class Education has helped numerous students prepare for the coming academic year with bridging courses in IGCSE, IB DP and UK Common Entrance over the summer holiday.

This year, the centre is also offering writing courses and various programming courses as an introduction to coding for primary students. masterclasseducation.org

The HKFYG Leadership Institute

SPOT Buddies where children can practise their social skills. The camps are held at SPOT’s Central and Wong Chuk Hang locations. spot.com.hk

Sprout in Motion Comprising a multi-disciplinary team of experienced master and doctoral level clinicians, Sprout in Motion is offering a range

There has never been a better time for children to learn about the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Aptly themed ‘The Unhealthy State of Health Equity’, The HKFYG Leadership Institute is offering a seven-day intensive summer leadership course aimed at secondary school students. Funded by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, the HKFYG Jockey Club School of Global Leadership’s Summer School for Global Leadership programme provokes future young leaders to reflect on the importance of global health through experiential learning and capstone projects.leadershipinstitute.hk

Academic and special education SPOT Speech therapy, physiotherapy and occupational therapy specialists SPOT are hosting a range of camps for the little ones in July and August. Some courses work towards

of small group programmes for children of all ages with special educational needs. Primary students can choose from courses such as Social Engineer to boost social thinking skills and Sitting Still Like a Frog which provides mindfulness training. Secondary students can expat-parent.com 35

36 expat-parent.com

EDUCATION Preschool programmes Fairchild No books are needed at the play-based summer programmes at Fairchild Junior Academy and Fairchild Kindergarten. From June to August, Fairchild is holding morning and afternoon thematic programs for children, from toddlers to six years olds. Children have the opportunity to explore a variety of fun-filled activities such as sports, cooking, reading, storytelling, music, creative arts, sensory exploration and science. Held at Fairchild’s campuses in Tin Hau and Sai Ying Pun. fairchild.academy

for little Einsteins. Whatever your child’s interest is, there will be a camp perfect for him or her. activekidshk.com

Hong Kong Academy Hong Kong Academy has teamed up with its partners to offer a range of summer programmes for children aged three to 18 this summer. Hosted at their spacious Sai Kung campus, choose from a variety of performing arts and sports camps from theatre and filmmaking to volleyball, basketball, soccer and even Chinese martial arts Wing Chun. hkacademy.edu.hk

American School Hong Kong If your children are keen on basketball, gymnastics, football, drama, engineering, wushu or learning different languages, the ASHK summer programme is for them. There are two sessions available for students aged six to 15, from June 29 to July 24. The programme is open to both ASHK and non-ASHK students. ashk.edu.hk

YWCA CLLE Woodland Pre-Schools Tailored for children aged six months to six year old, a world of fun and discovery through Woodland’s exciting programmes awaits.

For toddlers and preschoolers, parents can accompany their little ones to explore sensory play, soft play, music and movement, yoga and more. If your kids are getting ready to enter primary school, sign them up to reading, writing, mathematics and phonics classes instead. woodlandschools.com

Canadian International School of Hong Kong

This July and August, reputed one-stop learning centre YWCA CLLE is hosting a series of summer camps at the YWCA International Kids Club. It has over 400 camps on offer this Summer for children of all ages including STEM, drama, gymnastics and trampoline, football, material arts, cooking, painting and Mandarin, just to name a few. All courses are taught by experts in their profession. clle.ywca.org.hk

The Canadian International School runs one of the most diverse summer programmes in Hong Kong. Be it academic programmes, coding, multi-activity, African drum, dance and more, there is something for everyone. Choose from morning and afternoon programmes that place during weekdays or the new flexible Saturday programmes. Classes run from June 15 to August 7 and are open to the public. cdnis.edu.hk

Multi-activity camps ActiveKids Since 2004, ActiveKids has been specialising in delivering unique, top-quality educational programmes to schools and children of all ages in Hong Kong. It is hosting a range of camps this summer, including Stormy Chefs for foodies, Mission Runway for fashionistas, Chess Academy for thinkers and Science Adventures expat-parent.com 37

dining

Raise the steaks

Your bumper guide to throwing the ultimate Father’s Day barbecue.

By Apple Lee Those two characteristics are what give food that’s been cooked on a charcoal or wood fire such amazing flavour.

Plan your cooking sequence Depending on the shape and the size of the meat you are using, you may have to take some ingredients out of the fridge one to two hours prior to cooking. If you are grilling a 1kg beef rib on the bone, you are going to want it at room temperature so that the high heat is able to penetrate evenly. If you are cooking a thin individual sirloin steak, you may toss it onto the grill straight from the fridge. Having a solid interior will help prevent the steak from overcooking while still maintaining a great, chargrilled texture on it.

Season your ingredients

Chef’s tips Chef Cary Docherty of Island Shangri-La’s Lobster Bar and Grill shares his top tips for hosting a barbecue party

People, music and cold beer First thing’s first. At a barbecue, there is nothing more important than these first three tips rolled into one. Surround yourself with

people you enjoy hanging out with, have a killer playlist of music ready in advance and have plenty of cold beer. Not fridge-cold either, the beer must be kept in a cooler and completely submerged in ice water.

Pre-heat Now onto the cooking. Light your grill well in advance. Nine out of ten times when barbecuing you’re going to want to cook over a high heat to get that heavily caramelised finish and deep smoky aromas.

I often say that the single biggest difference between restaurant cooking and home cooking is salt content, and knowing how and when to season the food you are cooking. It is crucial to season ingredients at the start of the cooking process and not just at the end. Having said that, it is important to taste the food you are about to serve and adjust the seasoning at the last minute as well to ensure the food does not taste bland. Taste and adjust as many times as necessary. Add salt in small increments to avoid going overboard.

The best outdoor barbecue spots on Hong Kong Island

Stanley Main Beach Take minibus 40 from Causeway Bay

Tai Tam Country Park Take a taxi or walk up from the bottom of Tai Tam Reservoir Road to Parkview entrance

Shek O Beach Take bus 9 from Shau Kei Wan

38 expat-parent.com

dining Cheat meal Don’t fancy going DIY? Take the hassle out of your next barbie with these grill packages.

The Butchers Club Apart from being a popular burger joint, The Butchers Club also sells a variety of dry-aged meats and seafood. The shop stocks a hefty barbecue pack available for order and purchase for $980. The pack feeds eight and includes Angus burgers, baby back ribs, housemade sausages and streaky bacon. thebutchers.club

For meat lovers

Morton’s The Steakhouse The famed American steakhouse now offers a range of takeaway steak kits, so you can enjoy their house specialities anytime you want. Its Ultimate Grill packages are ideal for families of up to eight and include a selection of center-cut filet mignons, prime ribeye steaks and New York strips.

Comprehensive cooking instructions are included. mortons.com

For families

Grills and smokers Here’s where to get the essential pieces for your next cookout:

Everything Under The Sun As its name suggests, this shop sells an extensive range of products designed to help you enjoy time outdoors. You will find a selection of gas and charcoal grills to suit every space and budget here. 902 Horizon Plaza, 2 Lee Wing Street, Ap Lei Chau. everythingunderthesun.com.hk

Alberobello This outdoor furniture company has a large range of stainless barbecue pits, tables and chairs suitable for both small and big spaces. It also sells Weber charcoal, grills and other accessories. Collection is convenient with several locations across Hong Kong. Weber Store & Grill

Academy, 47 Nam Kok Road, Kowloon City. alberobello.com.hk

Jervisbay Barbecue World Jervisbay Barbecue World sells gas and electric BBQ grills, as well as artisan outdoor kitchens, hickory chips, cooler boxes and marinades. Get advice on recipes and secrets to a great barbecue.

Unit C, 3/F, Dan 6, 6 Fui Yiu Kok Street, Tsuen Wan. jervisbaybarbecues.com

Shamrock Not ready to invest in your own grill?

Shamrock rents barbecues, catering and equipment for any event, big or small. For an extra level of fancy, chocolate fountains, cotton candy machines and popcorn machines are available for hire. Tables, cutlery and marinated meats are also available. 19/F, Leader Building, 37 Wong Chuk Hang Road, Aberdeen. shamrock.com.hk expat-parent.com 39

40 expat-parent.com

dining Invisible Kitchen Priding itself on being Hong Kong’s ‘greenest’ caterers, Invisible Kitchen offers responsibly-sourced ingredients using For ecosustainable seafood, freef riendly range Australian chicken and organic veggies straight from local farms.

eaters

You can opt from different signature menus or create your own. As part of its environmental policy, no plastic cutlery and straws will be provided. invisiblekitchen.com

Delicious Hong Kong Delicious offers all-inclusive barbecue buffet packages catering to 20 to 25 people.

Its catering deals come with grilled meat, fish and For big veggies along with a chef groups who will be there to assist you. Highlights from the menu include tiger prawn in citrus and garlic, tandoori chicken steak and beef tenderloin. delicious-hk.com

The best outdoor barbecue spots in Kowloon and New Territories Whitehead Barbecue Take a cab from Ma On Shan or Wu Kai Sha

Tai Mei Tuk BBQ King Take minibus 20C from Tai Po Market MTR

Ma On Shan Country Park Take minibus 3 or 3A from Sai Kung

Dining news New Indian restaurant at Rosewood Transport yourself to the lively streets of India at the luxe TST hotel’s newest restaurant concept, Chaat. Meaning ‘to lick’ in Hindi, Chaat brings India’s delicious street food and homemade classics to the restaurant table, delivering authentic flavours reimagined and refined for a modern setting. The new restaurant is helmed by Executive Chef Manav Tuli, who cut his teeth in the kitchens of luxury hotels across India, Mauritius and London. Alongside Chef Tuli’s cooking, the restaurant is sure to bring guests a dining experience that echoes the vibrant social scene of the bustling Indian marketplace.

Level 5, Rosewood Hong Kong, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. chaat.hk

Crazy for Cronuts Five months after the opening of Dang Wen Li in Harbour City, celebrity chef Dominique Ansel is, for the first time ever, bringing his signature pastry to the city. The Cronut is available in a brand new lychee and jasmine flavour that has never been served before, to make the occasion extra special.

Available until June 7 only – you better act fast! Shop OT G63A, G/F, Ocean Terminal, Harbour City, 3-27 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. dangwenli.com

The Ritz-Carlton picnic Take it to the great outdoors with The RitzCarlton’s swanky new picnic on-the-go service.

Order a picnic basket from the hotel and have it delivered and set up for you at West Kowloon Nursery Park. If that’s not enough, you can request to have a butler service to cater to your every whim. The picnic basket features an array of gourmet delicacies and is available at $788 for two and $1,488 for four. Call 2263 2160 or email rc.hkgkw.ird.enquiries@ritzcarlton.com for more information. expat-parent.com 41

life & style

15 ways you can make Hong Kong better How can we give back in times of crisis? By Charmaine Ng

A

s the impact of the coronavirus sweeps across Hong Kong and the world, many of us wonder what we can do, personally, to make things a little better. Here are some ways you can help during these trying times.

1 Stay informed

It’s important to stay up to date with what’s happening around you without overwhelming yourself. We suggest making a range of local news outlets part of your daily consumption. Consider subscribing to an independent press such as Hong Kong Free Press (hongkongfp.com) or Apple Daily (hk.appledaily.com).

2 Wear a mask

The jury is out – wearing a mask helps.

Do your part and put on one before you head out, lest you sneeze and spray everywhere. their day. Put together items such as tea, candles, skincare products and a nice card to show that you care.

5 Donate medical supplies on your friends 3 Check and family

When was the last time you called your grandma? Log off Netflix for one second and take a moment to reach out to your loved ones near and far. How are they doing? Are they coping well with social distancing?

Sometimes a short conversation can go a long way.

4

Send a care package

Do you know a healthcare worker on the front lines or a friend or family member who has been laid off? A homemade or customised care package can brighten up 42 expat-parent.com

Not everyone is lucky enough to have a pile of personal hygiene products at the ready. A few organisations have dedicated themselves to helping those most impacted by the coronavirus outbreak, by delivering food and supplies to vulnerable groups or redirecting protective resources to medics. HandsOn Hong Kong has a list of charities that you can donate to. handsonhongkong.org

6 Donate food

Looking for a quick and easy way to help? You can donate your pantry staples to those in need. The government-funded Food Wise Hong Kong provides a list of charities accepting rice, noodles, canned food and more, including Foodlink, Food Angel and Feeding Hong Kong. foodwisehk.gov.hk

Feeding Hong Kong

7 Donate blood

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, donor numbers are plunging around the world, leaving blood banks with low inventories. For a while now, the Hong Kong Red Cross has not been able to hit its daily recruitment target of

life & style 1,100 donations per day. Consider giving blood if you are healthy. redcross.org.hk

8 Donate your time

If you don’t have extra items on hand, why not help out in person? Charities such as Crossroads Foundation are in need of volunteers during this time. crossroads.org.hk

9 Donate funds

Don’t underestimate a classic monetary donation, even if it’s just $100. Every little bit helps! Groups that are accepting donations include Save the Children Hong Kong (savethechildren.org.hk), Habitat for Humanity Hong Kong (habitathk.give.asia) and Soap Cycling (Facebook: SoapCycling).

10 Reduce, reuse, recycle The three R’s can help you, your community and the environment by saving money, energy and natural resources. Pretty much anything you plan to throw away can be recycled, including clothes, furniture, old electronics and even food.

Devin Hou, Head Chef at Test Kitchen visiting an organic farm in Hong Kong

monoculture. We love HKFYG Organic Farm (organicfarm.hk), Homegrown Foods (homegrownfoods.com.hk) and Jou Sun (jousun.com).

13 Say ‘no’ to fast fashion

Fast fashion has become one of the biggest polluters on the planet, now accounting for eight percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. Before you swipe your credit card, try upcycling your unwanted garments and donating your cast-offs to NGOs like the Salvation Army (salvationarmy.org.hk) and Redress (redress.com.hk).

local 14 Support restaurants and bars

F&B venues across the city have been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic. Help them stay afloat by dining out. There are many other creative ways to show your support too. Is the

is abiding by social distancing rules, consider sitting down for a meal. We suggest visiting a social enterprise restaurant, such as Café 8 and The Nest, both run by The Nesbitt Centre. nesbittcentre.org.hk

a beach 11 Organise cleanup

Take it one step further and gather three friends for a beach cleanup. Check out Hong Kong Cleanup (hkcleanup.org) and Plastic Free Seas (plasticfreeseas.org) for a list of places that need a good sweep – remember to wear gloves and protective gear!

12

Buy your produce from local farms

The farm-to-table movement has been gaining momentum, and for good reason too.

Purchasing your greens from local farmers can provide better nutrition for you whilst increasing food safety, decreasing waste and preventing

Christina Dean, Founder of Redress

Brunch at BEDU

restaurant selling gift cards, merchandise or food products? Do they offer takeout or delivery options? Every transaction makes a difference.

afternoon tea at 15 Enjoy a charity shop

Obviously you should avoid crowds at this time, but if you see a quiet restaurant or café that expat-parent.com 43

book club

Be the hero Matt Friedman urges his readers to step up and take action to address the issues of our times. By Apple Lee How can readers find a cause that they are passionate about contributing to?

Everyone has a cause that inspires them. I believe that we don’t get to select our cause, but our cause selects us. There is something about each of us that draws us to a particular topic – possibly because of who we are, our value system, our personal experiences or a combination of these factors. If you already know what your cause is, then you are ahead of the game. If you don’t, the first step is to discover that cause. The process begins with a simple set of questions: “What is really important to me? What makes my heart beat faster? What would be my perfect opportunity?”

Then go online and watch videos, read blogs and articles and see what makes your heart sing.

What does being a hero mean to you?

Tell us a little bit about yourself?

I am an international human trafficking advisor with more than 30 years of experience.

Currently, I am the CEO of The Mekong Club, an organisation that brings together different Hong Kong businesses to help end modern slavery.

So, what’s the book about?

Be the Hero: Be the Change encourages readers to step up and take action to make a positive difference to the world. This can be through fighting climate change, addressing injustice, reducing poverty or stopping bullying – whatever cause that speaks to you. The book offers a step-by-step guide to help you overcome personal doubts that keep you back from getting involved in our world and its problems.

44 expat-parent.com

Why did you choose to release your book during this time?

I began writing the book one year ago when I felt a strong desire to put my feelings down on paper. Two weeks before the coronavirus crisis broke, the book was completed. This was an interesting coincidence. At this time, more than any other time in recent history, we are starting to feel a sense of urgency – the epidemic is affecting us all in one shape or form.

I hope that the book can help to harness people’s power during this difficult period. It is the individual decisions that have the greatest impact on helping to heal our world. If more people are willing to step up and offer their small, compassionate gestures, just imagine the impact. In this way, success in creating a better tomorrow is simply a numbers game.

Most of us feel that heroes are people who demonstrate impossible feats of bravery to help those in need. While this is one example, not all heroes exist in comic books or in movies.

They are not just people who risk their own lives to save the helpless. I consider everyone who steps up to help, no matter how big or small the gesture, to be a hero. There is heroism within each and every one of us. It is a voice of good, of righteousness, of action and of love. In today’s world, this voice too often lies dormant and receives very little nurturing, but this heroic part of us can rise up and tackle the problems of the world head-on.

Most importantly, where can we buy your book?

You can purchase the book online on Amazon. We are currently working on releasing an audio version. The proceeds from this book will go towards supporting Covid-19 efforts.

book club

Books & podcasts Satisfy your wanderlust at home with some travel inspiration.

By Nikita Agrawal and Apple Lee BOOKS

My Life on the Road

Eat Pray Love

The Alchemist

Author, journalist and activist Gloria Steinem recounts decades of travelling the world in her inspiring autobiography.

Her penchant for being on the road stems from the childhood memories of her father who always had a knack for adventure.

Through her advocacy work in the feminist movement, she set out to meet people from all over America and inspire change.

Steinem learns to live in the present when the only constant in her life is the road.

Available for $65 at bookdepository.com

Eat Pray Love is a modern woman’s quest to marvel at and travel the world while reconnecting with her inner self. This book is a memoir of Elizabeth Gilbert’s life and how she risks everything to go see the world when faced at a crossroads. In her travels, she experiences the pleasures of comfort food in Italy, prayer in India and finds peace and love in Bali. Read about her transformative journey while reimagining your own. Available for $68 at bookdepository.com

The Alchemist is a classic novel that can be read again and again – to inspire you to travel and follow your dreams. The book captures the life of a young shepherd boy that journeys from Spain to the pyramids in Egypt in pursuit of a dream. He faces many hurdles in this epic adventure, learns to love and reaches a point of awakening that changes his life. This short read packs a big punch with an uplifting message about taking a chance. Available for $68 at bookdepository.com

For change makers

For self discovery

For dreamers

PODCASTS Women Who Travel Co-hosted by Condé Nast Traveller editors Meredith Carey and Lale Arikoglu, this fun and upbeat podcast dives deep into the travel experience from the female perspective.

Each episode, the hosts bring on a different guest to share their take on globe-trotting as a woman. They also run dedicated episodes to answer frequently asked travel questions submitted by listeners on their Facebook group. Listen now on iTunes and Spotify

For female adventurers

Marriott Bonvoy Traveler: Behind The Design Marriott Bonvoy Traveler’s Behind The Design appeals to both jet-setters and design fanatics alike. The podcast sheds light on the creative decisions that went behind building some of Marriott’s most iconic hotels. This includes a five-part series on Lido House in Newport Beach, California and an insider’s look at how contemporary art is used to complement the rock-and-roll past of New York’s Gramercy Park Hotel. Listen now on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

For architecture lovers

Travel With Meaning Former talent agent Mike Schibel believes that travel should help one break out of their comfort zone and open themselves up to new experiences. The LA-based travel enthusiast invites guests from all walks of life – including travel photographers, TV hosts, marine biologists and chefs – onto his podcast to share how travel has changed their perspectives on life and led them to new opportunities. Listen on travelwithmeaning.com

For self development expat-parent.com 45

46 expat-parent.com

marketplace

To advertise, email talk@hongkongliving.com or call 2776 2772.

marketplace

GET LISTED! 2776 2772 talk@hongkongliving.com expat-parent.com 47

Rugrat Ramblings

Here comes the sun, and I say it’s alright Our youngest team member catches his first wave of Summer

I

was born in Winter. So for me, the cold in Hong Kong at that time was a little more extreme as I’d just spent nine months cooking in a cosy one bed one bath (mummy’s tummy).

comments. Seems she liked her morning gift.

Now, at the time of writing, Hong Kong was still limiting social gatherings to eight people. Lucky for me, I only know two, so I head to the beach with my housemates... fine - my mum and dad - and we find a spot to set down our things. “Here looks good”, dad says. Dad, I love you, but if you hadn’t noticed, that patch of sand looks like the rest of the sand on this beach. Anyway, I go with it.

I remember my parents would dress me up in layers and layers of clothing, top it off with a beanie and then swaddle me up tight so that I wouldn’t freeze and essentially become a baby popsicle. But now, oh how things have changed. Layer by layer, the clothes have started to come off. The beanie, the socks, the singlet... until now, as I type this wearing nothing but a nappy, because baby - Summer is here.

Dad carries me towards the water, and I get this sinking feeling. No, that’s not a water joke, I actually feel my stomach churn.

This is not like my bath, this is not even close.

I open my mouth to freak out and something happens. My feet feel nice. Why do my feet suddenly feel nice? I look down and there’s sand between all my tiny toes. This. Is. Amazing.

Summer in Hong Kong, I’m starting to learn, is sort of intense. It’s bold, it’s unforgiving and it will turn your baby mop of hair - if you have any - into one giant fuzz ball that cannot be tamed. Each morning when I look in the mirror I gasp a little because I swear our neighbour’s cat has just found a spot to nap on my noggin’.

As I stop a moment to take it all in, I realise something. There’s water in front of me and sand below me, but that’s not all. My eyes flutter as light wind whips against them. The sound of flowing water drowns my hearing. The sun against my skin feels like a big warm cuddle. And not only does the sun beam, but so does my smile. Summer really is about more than just the temperature. It’s the little things that all work together to make me feel just incredibly happy to be here.

That all being said, there’s still something quite lovely about this time of year in Hong Kong. The sun is shining, the streets are filling up post-Covid restrictions and people are getting pumped up with a much needed dose of vitamin D (the ‘D’ stands for delightful).

People are happy and sun-kissed and I am loving it. So when I was set to go out on my first beach trip since... well, I first ever existed, I was pretty convinced that I would not be disappointed.

The morning of, mum encourages me to eat all my breakfast. “You’ll need your energy for today,” she tells me. Still, I make the rules and decide to eat half and throw the rest on the floor and into mums hair. “Great” she 48 expat-parent.com

Thoughts and perceptions from the mind of an expat baby

In the months to come, I have given myself a task. While Hong Kong does it’s best to get back on its feet, I will not rush. I will not be in a hurry to do the things I’ve so far missed out on. I’ll remember to take it all in, sit with it, process it and not take a second of it for granted.

expat-parent.com 49

50 expat-parent.com