Opinion: Tragedy Highlights Urgent Need for Support for Grassroots Child Caregivers
News report that a three-year-old girl was left alone for days with her mother, who is suspected to have died suddenly from an asthma attack. The child survived on biscuits until neighbors were alarmed by the loud cries of the toddler. As someone working on child care, we are deeply concerned about the emotional toll this incident will have on the girl. More broadly, it compels us to reflect on how society can better support grassroots child caregivers facing immense pressure.
The single mother in this tragedy raised her daughter alone, grappling with unemployment and poor health. A photograph of the mother and daughter, captured by a reporter, hung in their home—a poignant reminder that, like many mothers, she wanted to shower her child with love and care.
Child caregivers from the underprivileged communities are often torn between parenting responsibilities and financial pressure. While the government offers financial assistance to low-income families, many caregivers of young children yearn for more than just monetary aid. They also need safe, nurturing spaces where their children can grow and thrive, and where they, too, can find support and respite.
In Sham Shui Po, where we serve, many families live in cramped subdivided flats. Mothers often care for young children in confined spaces for extended periods. Babies cry, toddlers move around a lot, and there is not much space for children to play, learn, or develop in these tiny flats. Caregivers juggle their children’s developmental and emotional needs alongside endless household chores. Parenting at home is far from easy. Many mothers often feel overwhelmed, saying, “I can’t handle my child anymore” or “I feel so frustrated.” One mother, battling a high fever, brought her one-year-old to our center, pleading, “If I pass out, please take care of my child.”
This tragedy highlights a critical gap in our child care system: the lack of early intervention for families with children under two or three, before they enter kindergarten. Research shows that children aged 0–2 experience rapid brain development and have immense learning potential. In Hong Kong, 27% of poor children live in poverty, which is about one in four. This greatly limits their chances to grow and develop.
OneSky commissioned a 2024 study by the Department of Early Childhood and Elementary Education at Hong Kong Baptist University’s School of Continuing Education. Out of 297 interviewees, 87.6% spent more time and energy on childcare than anticipated. Over 60% expressed concerns about the financial costs of raising children, and more than half reported difficulties balancing childcare with other responsibilities.
As society encourages childbirth, we should better support caregivers so they do not feel isolated or overwhelmed. Imagine if all 18 districts in Hong Kong had a parenting friendly community living room, where caregivers could connect, share resources, and build support networks. Our community living room in Sham Shui Po offers emotional support, parenting education, and short-term respite care services to families with limited resources, providing essential help to caregivers dealing with family and financial challenges.
In the 2024 Policy Address, the government proposed improving care for the elderly and people with disabilities, including plans for a caregiver database. We urge policymakers to expand this initiative to include families with newborns and toddlers. Such a database could swiftly identify high-risk cases, enabling proactive support to prevent tragedies and ensure children grow up in safe, happy environments.
This heartbreaking incident serves as a call to action. By enhancing community support and establishing early intervention systems, we can help underprivileged caregivers and their children thrive, laying a foundation for a bright future for these children.
Phyllis Chan, Director of Programs, OneSky Global Centre for Early Childhood Development
（Article published on HK01, Chinese only）
OneSky Hong Kong Gala
Join us for an inspiring black-tie evening as we illuminate the stories of vulnerable children and families in Hong Kong. Discover the remarkable potential within these young lives and the resilience of the communities that support them. Your presence will directly contribute to OneSky’s mission of providing quality early childhood care and education, not only in Hong Kong but also in mainland China, Vietnam, and Mongolia.
The evening promises to be an unforgettable experience, with fine dining, drinks, live entertainment, and fantastic silent and live auction items, all supporting OneSky’s vital mission.
Date: 20th June 2025, Friday
Time: Cocktail: 6:30PM | Dinner: 7:30PM
Venue: Renaissance Harbour View Hotel
More Than Just Meals: OneSky Cafeteria – A Place for Children to Grow and Learn
OneSky is determined to give children a space to grow and thrive, no matter their background. Recently, our community living room teamed up with community making group Baak6zou6 to turn our cafeteria into a hub for independent learning and food exploration. The cafeteria already provides affordable, nutritious meals for families, which has made it very popular with caregivers. But now it’s also a place for children to learn on their own and get hands-on with food.
Allie, one of Baak6zou6’s founders and a mother of two, says, “Children’s voices are often overlooked.” However, she emphasizes that OneSky values what the children have to say, which is why this collaboration was possible.
She added, “We usually think of schools when we think of learning spaces.” She believes that learning can happen anywhere, not just in designated spots with traditional tools.
The children participated in preparing ingredients in the cafeteria (left); Baak6zou6 designed food education game in the parent-child friendly cafeteria (right).
The cafeteria is an exciting, cozy place for learning, especially when it comes to food. Parents can help children learn to eat and build healthy habits during mealtimes. And children can explore the space and learn independently too. Allie thinks spaces don’t just serve a function—they can also bring parents and children closer together. As Allie mentions, “When people interact with a space more, they can help shape it over time.”
The group has been chatting with the OneSky community, including caregivers, teachers, and staff, to figure out what the cafeteria users need. Allie describes Baak6zou6 as “like the project’s facilitator,” helping OneSky identify and create what they need.
For example, caregivers often say children are picky eaters or don’t want to eat on their own. So, Baak6zou6 talked with them about using the cafeteria to tackle these challenges—like helping children understand food and where it comes from, so they can discover their relationship with it and make mealtimes more meaningful.
After several rounds of discussions, Baak6zou6 worked with OneSky to transform the cafeteria. They set up children-sized tables and utensil carts so children can collect their own items after eating, boosting caregiver confidence in letting children be independent.
They also added planting areas so children can watch veggies grow, plus food-themed books and games the children can explore on their own while caregivers relax.
June, a mother of two, expresses her appreciation for the recent improvements in the school cafeteria:
“I have noticed that the cafeteria has recently added some games and picture books. After finishing their meals, the children can now play by themselves. There is also a small corner where the children can vote on what they ate in the cafeteria today. These activities are quite engaging. In the past, after finishing their lunch, the children would immediately run outside to play, and I had to quickly clean up and follow them out. Now, they are willing to stay in the cafeteria a bit longer, and I can enjoy my meal properly.”
Baak6zou6 even turned the cafeteria into a family cooking space, with children-friendly tools and illustrated cards showing cooking steps children can join in on. One mother shared that her daughter, who hated tomato eggs, “loved the ones we made together.”
Allie expresses that the goal is to give children the opportunities to work on their own, build self-care skills, and discuss food and nutrition with their caregivers. That way, the grown-ups can feel more confident in letting the children take the lead.
Design of the cafeteria and newly provided game sets bring children closer to food.
Phyllis Chan, the OneSky programs director, says that teaming up with Baak6zou6 gave caregivers a chance to speak up and be heard. Instead of OneSky just deciding everything, she emphasizes that they plan the cafeteria with the users so their ideas and needs can be met. It’s like parenting—“we think we know best, but the children might want something different.”
By working together, OneSky hopes caregivers will take the same approach at home, respecting children’s opinions and allowing them to participate in decisions about their lives.
Generali Hong Kong Supports Underprivileged Families with Young Children to Enjoy Nature
Creating diverse experiences for young children enriches their growth and development. Since 2020, Generali Hong Kong has supported the P. C. Lee OneSky Global Centre for Early Childhood Development to bring positive impacts to underprivileged families and communities. This year, Generali’s The Human Safety Net project continues their annual fundraising event Global Challenge, supporting OneSky’s “Nature Experience Program,” which creates opportunities for over 500 underprivileged families in Hong Kong to learn and grow in connection with nature.
The years before age six are critical for children’s development. Providing a diverse learning environment during this period can lay a solid foundation for their future growth. OneSky is committed to promoting quality early parenting education and support in Hong Kong, ensuring that children from any family background can thrive.
Exposure to nature is important for enhancing children’s learning experiences. It stimulates their sensory development, heightens their awareness of environmental protection, and broadens their life experiences. This year’s “Nature Experience Program” organizes a series of activities, providing interesting and inspiring opportunities for young children to explore different aspects of nature, including eco printing workshops, visits to the Tuen Mun Reptile House, and meet-and-greets with small pets.
One of the highlights of the program was the parent-child hiking day held at The Peak in early November. On that day, Generali’s volunteers, along with over a hundred children and caregivers, enjoyed the autumn scenery and connected with the nature together. OneSky teachers designed a number of small challenges along the hiking trail and set up game stations, and everyone had a happy picnic time on the grassland.
OneSky will continue to organize nature-related projects to provide opportunities for young children to connect with the natural world. We sincerely thank Generali Hong Kong for their support, allowing underprivileged children and caregivers to create precious memories with their loved ones.
