Hong Kong, one of Asia’s largest economic markets, is home to more than 7.5 million individuals. With one of the highest population densities, the city is often unaffordable to many. According to Oxfam Hong Kong, 20.2% of people live below the poverty line. Within that group, young children, often facing abandonment, are the most vulnerable group, as 24.3% of children under the age of 14 live in poverty. In addition, one in 10 children lives with a single parent.

The consequences of a torn and neglected childhood are severe, impacting the ability to provide for oneself and family in the future. Invisible children and those in poverty lack education, have low self-esteem, and struggle with isolation from other children, according to The Hub. Because of instability, children in poverty are highly likely to transition families.

OneSky

Although numerous non-governmental organizations, such as Oxfa,m have worked in reducing poverty in Hong Kong, few groups focus on children’s welfare. OneSky is one of those nonprofits, aiming to empower children in marginalized communities through partnering with governments in Asia. Specifically, their Hong Kong Center seeks to care for invisible children, who are adolescents who were abandoned by their parents, as well as creating programs to educate parents and caretakers.

OneSky’s Hong Kong Center not only aims to provide and raise Hong Kong’s invisible children, but surrounding Chinese villages as well. Following a large wave of migration from rural Chinese villages to industry in Hong Kong, many children struggled with abandonment. As OneSky noted, the damages the invisible children suffered showed little difference from impoverished Chinese children in the late 1990s.

Family Village Program

As other nations in Asia continue to exponentially develop industry and economy, OneSky recognizes the risk young children incur. Drawing from previous work in Hong Kong and China, OneSky is building strategic government partnerships and model centers to guide proper parenting across Asia.

Notably, OnesSky, through the Family Village Program, played a critical role in determining the best course of action impacting invisible children’s welfare status in China. As a result, the initiative trained 36,146 caregivers and assisted over 74,297 children.

Since 2021, OneSky Hong Kong has planned more than 50 partnerships with local service organizations. Throughout the pandemic, OneSky has helped 437 children and families. Despite numerous difficulties in the past years, OneSky has remained true to its mission in looking out for Hong Kong’s invisible children, and will continue to do so.

The Future

OneSky’s work in Hong Kong clearly demonstrates that even in wealthy, industrious areas, poverty among the most vulnerable groups is invisible. Without the dedication and contributions of groups such as OneSky, individuals under the poverty line, especially children, are unable to advocate for their needs. As such, the hope is that the government and the private sector continue to partner and fund organizations that care for invisible children, to ensure that every child has the resources necessary to thrive.

– Owen Wu

Owen is based in Westborough, MA, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr