Hong Kong Medical Association Charity Concert for OneSky
The Hong Kong Medical Association Charitable Foundation (“HKMACF”) will stage its Charity Concert on Sunday, 10 August 2025, at the Alliance Hall, Christian Alliance International School. All funds raised, without any cost deduction, will be used to support OneSky Foundation Limited (“OneSky”) to fund its “Bright Beginnings Hong Kong” project, which empowers young children from low-income families by nurturing their physical and emotional development. The Hong Kong Medical Association (“HKMA”) warmly invites individuals and organizations to support this meaningful initiative. A complimentary concert ticket will be offered to donors contributing HK$500 or more, as a token of gratitude for their generosity.
At the press conference, Dr CHENG, Chi Man, President of the HKMA, remarked, “Since our establishment in 1920, the HKMA has adhered to its mission of ‘Safeguarding the health of the people’, uniting member doctors practising and serving the public in Hong Kong. We are committed to advancing the medical profession, actively promoting health education, and serving the public. For the past three decades, our Choir and Orchestra have consistently held public performances to raise funds and expand resources, supporting needed social welfare projects. This led to the formal establishment of the HKMACF, which pools societal strength to raise funds for various social service organizations, cares for the underprivileged, and fulfils our commitment to giving back to society professionally.”
Dr YEUNG, Hip Wo Victor, Chairman of the HKMACF, stated, “With the establishment of the HKMACF, we have been able to carry out our philanthropic work in a more coordinated and impactful way, allowing for better resource allocation and more targeted support to those in need.” Dr YEUNG further noted that the HKMACF Committee unanimously supports OneSky’s “Bright Beginnings Hong Kong” project, believing it helps promote early development for vulnerable children, provides crucial learning and growth support, and holds the potential to bring tangible improvements to grassroots families, positively impacting overall societal development. To fully support this charity concert, the HKMA will cover all administrative and operational expenses. He called on the public to participate enthusiastically and donate generously to bring hope and blessings to children and families in need.
Ms Susanna Lee, Executive Director of OneSky, highlighted that one in four children in Hong Kong lives in poverty. “Caregivers in low-income families face immense stress, which can compromise the developmental foundations of their children”, she explained. “Our ‘Bright Beginnings Hong Kong’ project is a strategic response to this need, offering integrated services including parenting workshops, responsive caregiving training, and access to our caregiver-centric ‘Community Living Room’, a safe and inclusive space designed to nurture both caregivers and children. We are grateful for the HKMA’s support in addressing the holistic well-being of caregivers, ensuring every child, regardless of their background, can grow and thrive.”
At the press conference, service users of the “Bright Beginnings Hong Kong” project shared how OneSky’s support has transformed their families’ lives. Kaki noticed her daughter’s delayed speech development and turned to OneSky for help. She joined OneSky’s caregiver training courses to learn practical parenting strategies. She brought her daughter to the centre daily for meals, themed classes, and play sessions. “The professional guidance from the OneSky team has been invaluable,” she said. “My daughter has learnt so much through creative and social play. She’s thriving.”
Another programme participant, Gloria, a mother of two living in a subdivided flat building, described the heavy burden of caregiving she faced alone while managing financial stress and limited space at home. With her youngest needing full-time care and her husband working long hours, she struggled with exhaustion and isolation. OneSky’s services provided her with much-needed breathing room, while parenting and wellness workshops helped her regain confidence. Her son, now in primary school, has discovered a love for music through free violin lessons at the centre and is preparing for a performance at an upcoming fundraising event. “OneSky gave us more than support—it gave my children the opportunity to grow up in a nurturing, empowering environment,” she said.
The HKMACF firmly believes that promoting children’s health and family well-being is a cornerstone for sustainable societal development. The HKMA and HKMACF cordially invites all sectors of society to continue paying attention to the needs of vulnerable children. By participating in or donating to the charity concert, we can become partners in nurturing stronger families and healthier futures. Looking ahead, the HKMACF will remains committed to collaborating with diverse stakeholders, leveraging professional strength to address societal needs.
Details of the HKMACF Charity Concert 2025：
Date: 10 August 2025 (Sunday)
Time: 7:00pm
Venue: Alliance Hall, Christian Alliance International School
Remarks: A complimentary concert ticket will be offered to donors contributing HK$500 or more.
About the Hong Kong Medical Association Charitable Foundation (“HKMACF”)
Established in 2006, the Hong Kong Medical Association Charitable Foundation (“HKMACF”) aims to harness professional expertise to promote social good. Upholding the Association’s mission to safeguard public health, the HKMACF supports the development of medical services and responds to community needs. Since 1990, the Association has organised public performances by its orchestra and choir to raise funds for various charitable organisations, benefiting patients, underprivileged families, and vulnerable groups. The HKMACF is committed to advancing medical care, allied health services, and health education through well-managed philanthropic initiatives, giving back to society with compassion and purpose.
About OneSky for all Children (“OneSky”)
OneSky for all Children (“OneSky”) is dedicated to strengthening early childhood development for Asia’s vulnerable young children across China, Mongolia, Vietnam and at the P.C. Lee OneSky Global Centre in Hong Kong. The Centre aims to empower caregivers who care for children from low-income families (ages 0 to 6) to help foster their children’s growth through parenting and early childhood care training. By providing a wide variety of early education, responsive childcare services, parent-child activities, consultation, and referral services in a parenting-friendly, playful, and inspirational environment, we encourage caregivers to play, learn, and grow together with children. The Centre also promotes a professional, supportive network through educating community caregivers. Since our establishment in 1998, OneSky has trained over 113,000 caregivers and reached over 377,000 children.
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
