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.
Hello, everyone!
Did you sleep well last night? In our busy city, many of us face challenges when it comes to sleep. Have you ever found it hard to fall asleep, stay asleep, or wake up early in the morning? If so, you’re not alone. Recent surveys conducted by the department of Psychiatry CUHK indicated that around 30% of people in Hong Kong experience insomnia. This is a significant issue that can affect our daily lives in many ways.
Sleep is crucial for maintaining our overall health. It plays a vital role in helping us recover from fatigue, manage stress, enhance our mood, and even improve our memory. When we don’t get enough sleep, it can lead to a host of physical and mental health problems such as increased risk of anxiety, depression, and also chronic illnesses.
Despite the importance of sleep, there are many misconceptions surrounding it. Some people believe they can make up for lost sleep during the week by sleeping in on the weekends. Others find themselves scrolling through their phones in bed, thinking it will help them feel tired enough to sleep. Unfortunately, these habits often do more harm than good. They can interfere with our body’s natural sleep-wake cycle, making it even harder to get the rest we need.
When it comes to treating insomnia, there are both pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches available. The first-line treatment recommended by experts is cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I). This therapy focuses on addressing both the behavioral and cognitive factors that contribute to chronic insomnia. Research shows that CBT-I is just as effective as medication, but its effects last longer and help reduce the use of sleep drugs.
However, access to CBT-I is limit. Unfortunately, fewer than 5% of insomnia patients have ever received this type of therapy. A recent survey of healthcare workers conducted by our group revealed that only 2% of them had received formal training in CBT-I. This lack of resources and trained professionals can make it challenging for people to get the help they need.
To address this pressing issue, the Department of Psychiatry at the Chinese University of Hong Kong has teamed up with five local NGO to launch the Jockey Club Sleep Well Project, funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust. Our mission is to raise awareness about sleep health and provide much-needed support for those experiencing sleep issues, including access to CBT-I and comprehensive sleep assessments.
The Jockey Club Sleep Well Project is Hong Kong's first community program specifically focused on sleep issues. This project developed an online platform and offer evidence-based strategies and tools designed to assist individuals in managing their sleep challenges. Additionally, we host in-person lectures, workshops, and community events to promote sleep health education and foster a better understanding of the importance of sleep.
One of the unique features of our project is the stepped care model we offer. This model provides different levels of support tailored to individual needs. Participants can begin by assessing their sleep and mental health through our online platform or mobile app. This initial assessment helps identify the specific issues they may be facing.
For those starting out, we can provide self-help resources and guided online courses. If someone has moderate insomnia symptoms, they will be paired with a sleep coach— a trained healthcare professional who will guide them through the online course and provide support along the way.
For individuals with more severe sleep issues, we can arrange interventions with a clinical psychologist to provide more personalized treatment.
To everyone listening, it’s important to remember that sleep problems cannot simply be resolved by catching up on sleep during the weekends or through occasional naps. The reasons for the sleep disturbances can vary widely from person to person, and medication isn’t the only solution. You don’t have to face these challenges alone. If you or someone you know is struggling with sleep issues or has questions about sleep disorders, you can try to explore the Jockey Club Sleep Well Project. You can either visit our website or download the app in the apple store or google play.
Sleep is not just a luxury; it’s a vital component of our health and well-being. By prioritizing sleep health, we can enhance our quality of life, boost our productivity, and maintain better physical and mental health.
So, as you go about your day, take a moment to think about your sleep habits. Are there changes you could make to improve your sleep? Remember, a good night’s sleep is within your reach.
