主持人：Christina Y W Chua
Listen to #Hashtag Hong Kong every Sunday morning at 8.15
Focusing on issues affecting civil society, we'll hear from representatives of NGOs, associations, statutory bodies, and non-profit groups.
(Sundays 8.15am - 8.25am)
Good morning everyone!
Hong Kong is home to over 340,000 migrant domestic workers. They are the backbone of our households, caring for our children, supporting our elderly, and keeping our homes running smoothly. Yet, many face financial pressures, recruitment debt, and even fraud.
Enrich exists to change that story. I think of Eka, a migrant domestic worker from Indonesia who has lived in Hong Kong for more than 20 years. When she first arrived, she faced enormous financial pressures and struggled to manage her income. Like many women, she carried the weight of supporting her family back home while navigating life in a new city.
Eka joined Enrich’s financial and empowerment workshops, and she describes the experience as life changing. She learned how to budget, save, and plan for the future. Over time, she built the confidence to take control of her finances and even began to dream of starting her own business.
What inspires me most is her determination. Eka told me that before Enrich, she didn’t know how to manage money. Now she feels confident and knows that she can build a better future for herself and her family.
Her journey reminds us that true empowerment goes beyond statistics—it's rooted in dignity, hope, and rekindling the capacity to dream. Eka’s story reflects the resilience of so many migrant domestic workers in Hong Kong, and why Enrich’s mission matters.
Through financial and empowerment education, we help women learn to budget, save, and plan for their futures. We also provide workshops on communication, well being, and entrepreneurship. Since 2007, tens of thousands of women have joined our programmes, and many have told us how these tools gave them hope, confidence, and control over their lives.
People often ask me why I chose to lead Enrich. The answer is simple: because empowerment is transformative. When a woman learns to take charge of her finances, she doesn’t just change her own life; she changes the lives of her children, her family, and her community back home. Education is the most sustainable form of support we can offer, and I am proud to be part of an organisation that invests in women who, in turn, invest in the world.
At Enrich, we were deeply saddened by the devastating fire at Wang Fuk Court. Our hearts go out to all those affected, especially the migrant domestic workers who lost their homes and belongings, and the families that lost their sisters, daughters, and mothers. In the days that followed, we witnessed the generosity of the Hong Kong community, but we also saw opportunists trying to exploit the tragedy. That is why we dedicated our Giving Tuesday donations directly to those impacted, with a special focus on migrant domestic workers.
This March, we will celebrate International Women’s Day with one of our biggest events of the year: “Empowering MDWs: Resilience, Wellbeing & Pathways Forward.”
Today, we celebrate the resilience of migrant domestic workers and support those affected by the tragic Tai Po fire. Together with our co host, the Social Innovation Team at the Knowledge Transfer Office of the Chinese University, we will welcome migrant domestic workers and the wider community to InnoPort in Sha Tin. We chose this venue to reach more workers living and working in and around Tai Po.
The event will feature:
- Booths offering practical support, from mental health counselling and women’s health resources to financial consultation, legal aid, and upskilling opportunities.
- Interactive sessions covering financial literacy, fraud prevention, safety awareness, women’s wellbeing, and entrepreneurship.
- Wellness and art activities, such as Piloxing, artwork creation, and breathing exercises, to refresh and inspire participants.
- Booths showcasing migrant domestic worker groups and NGOs with business ideas and skill demonstrations.
This event is about more than services. It is about community, empowerment, solidarity, and pathways forward for migrant domestic workers in Hong Kong.
Reflecting on my journey with Enrich, I realize that empowerment starts with listening—listening to voices that are often overlooked and recognising their strength, resilience, and dreams. Hong Kong is a city of opportunity. Let us ensure that opportunity is shared. Let us invest in the women who invest in us every day.
I invite you to join us on International Women’s Day to stand with migrant domestic workers, celebrate their resilience, and help build a future where every woman has the tools to reach her goals.
Thank you for listening, and I hope you can support Enrich HK in some ways. Together, we are making a meaningful difference.
主持人：Christina Y W Chua
Dear Parents,
As we navigate the complexities of raising children in today's fast-paced world, it's essential to stay informed about the support systems available to promote their mental well-being. Since its establishment in 2000, The CEO Foundation has been committed to enhancing lives in Hong Kong and China, particularly through mental wellness initiatives. In 2018, we proudly launched a new endeavor focusing on Animal-Assisted Service (AAS), which harnesses the unique bond between humans and dogs to foster emotional resilience and personal growth.
Our therapy dogs, known as Social Work Canines, are more than just pets; they are pivotal partners in providing support and enhancing the emotional experience of our beneficiaries. These specially screened and trained dogs work alongside their owners and bonded handlers, engaging with diverse groups, including children, teens, and the elderly. Our initiative aims to create a safe and nurturing environment where individuals can find comfort and companionship during their most challenging moments.
In recent years, our community has faced significant mental health challenges, particularly among primary and secondary school students. Research from the last decade indicates a concerning trend in the mental wellness of our youth. According to data collected by the Hong Kong Student Mental Health Survey, approximately 24% of primary school students reported experiencing symptoms of anxiety, while this number rose to about 30% among secondary school students. This spike reflects the mounting pressures students face from academic expectations, peer interactions, and social media influences.
Perhaps even more troubling is the report to suicidal ideation among students. Over the last decade, the number of reported suicide cases among adolescents has increased, with the Hong Kong Mental Health Association noting a rise of 20% in the past five years alone. Moreover, data reveals that approximately 10% of students have considered taking their lives during their formative years, highlighting the urgent need for proactive measures to bolster mental health support.
Among youth, Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) has become increasingly prevalent. Recent studies show that around 15% of adolescents in Hong Kong exhibit signs of SAD, creating barriers to healthy peer relationships and academic success. Additionally, conditions such as bipolar disorder and depression are affecting students at alarming rates, with recent statistics indicating that nearly 25,000 young people receive treatment for psychosomatic disorders each year.
In response to this escalating mental health crisis, The CEO Foundation initiated the HI (Human-Animal Interactive) Partner Program, a pioneering approach that utilizes the therapeutic benefits of AAS. Through our program, we aim to provide a multi-faceted support system for individuals across all age groups.
The presence of therapy dogs can alleviate anxiety and promote emotional healing in children and teens. Studies show that interactions with Social Work Canines can lead to lowered stress levels, increased feelings of happiness, and enhanced social interactions. These dogs offer kids a loving, non-judgmental source of comfort, allowing them to express themselves without fear.
For the elderly, the companionship of therapy dogs has proven to enhance their quality of life by reducing feelings of loneliness and providing motivation for physical activities. The HI Partner Program ensures that individuals from diverse backgrounds can access the mental health support they need through loving interaction with our Social Work Canines.
As we move forward, we invite you to partner with us in this important journey. Let’s come together as a community and advocate for mental wellness among our children and youth. By fostering connections through the amazing bond between humans and animals, we can help reduce anxiety, improve emotional regulation, and ultimately create a brighter future for our next generation.
We look forward to sharing more about the HI Partner Program and how you can get involved in supporting our mission to enhance mental wellness throughout Hong Kong.
Lastly, I would like to dedicate a song "You've got a friend" by Carole King, thanks and enjoy.
