Bridging Hearts, Building Resilience: A Day of Connection & Care for Well-being

A Landmark Event Uniting Migrant Domestic Workers and HKU Students

On Sunday, 7 December, the College Hall at Jockey Club Student Village IV (JCSV IV) was transformed into a vibrant space of warmth and laughter. Bridging Hearts, Building Resilience: A Day of Connection & Care for Well-being brought together 92 migrant domestic workers and 35 HKU student residents from all four colleges of JCSV IV for an afternoon dedicated to health, hope, and human connection.

Opening Ceremony

The event commenced with welcoming remarks from Professor Sophia Chan, College Master, and Dr. Michael Manio, Senior Resident Tutor, who set a tone of inclusivity and care.

In a poignant moment of solidarity, all attendees observed a minute of silence in remembrance of those tragically affected by the Tai Po fire, a reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of community support.

Nurturing Mental Well-being: United by Distance, Connected by Heart

Anna-Maria Kutateladze, Wellbeing Tutor of College 1 JCSV IV, delivered a talk on mental health that resonated with everyone in the room. At its core was a powerful realisation: both domestic helpers and JCSV IV student residents share a common experience — living far away from their families.

For university students, residential life brings exciting independence but also the quiet challenge of homesickness, navigating life's pressures without the immediate comfort of family nearby. For migrant domestic workers, this distance takes on an even more profound dimension. Many have left behind their own children, spouses, parents, and siblings in the Philippines and other home countries, often for years at a time, to provide for their families from thousands of miles away.

Beyond the shared experience of separation, speker addressed the unique stressors faced by domestic helpers in Hong Kong: the demanding nature of live-in work with limited personal space and privacy, long working hours, cultural and language barriers, the emotional toll of caring for others while being unable to care for their own families in person, and the isolation that can come from having only one rest day per week. These challenges, often invisible to the broader community, can significantly impact mental health and well-being.

The session created a rare space of mutual understanding, where students and domestic helpers recognised themselves in each other's struggles. This shared vulnerability became the foundation for the day's deeper connections.

Following the talk, Anna-Maria led a guided box breathing workshop, equipping participants with practical, accessible techniques to manage stress and cultivate inner calm, tools that both students facing exam pressures and domestic helpers navigating demanding workdays can carry with them into their daily lives.

Moments of Connection: The Ice-Breaking Activity

Perhaps the most moving segment of the day was the ice-breaking activity, where teams of five — comprising four domestic helpers and one student — gathered to share their happiest life moments.

What emerged was profound. Student after student observed that the domestic helpers' happiest memories were never about themselves — they spoke of their children's graduations, their nieces' and nephews' achievements, family reunions, and the successes of loved ones back home. Their joy was found entirely in the happiness of others.

"This truly highlights how selfless they are and how deeply they value family ties", reflected one of HKU students.

One student shared a particularly touching story: "When I was born, we had a domestic helper who stayed with our family for ten years. She was like a second mother to me. I still remember how she would take me to McDonald's — it was the happiest moment of my week because my parents never let me eat there!" The room erupted in laughter and knowing smiles, a beautiful moment of shared humanity.

The Great Quiz Competition

The energy soared during the highly

competitive quiz segment, where mixed teams pooled their collective knowledge to answer questions spanning Philippine geography and culture, Hong Kong and HKU trivia. The collaborative format meant every team member's background was essential — domestic helpers and students truly needed each other to succeed.

The competition reached a thrilling moment in the final round for first place, where both leading teams happened to include MBBS medical students. Fittingly, the tie-breaker question was about medicine, adding an extra layer of excitement to an already electric atmosphere.

Each team of five — Gold, Silver and Bronze team winners — received prizes including College 1 branded souvenirs, t-shirts, tote bags, and notebooks, as tokens of appreciation and remembrance.

Health Checks: Care in Action

At the heart of this event was a commitment to tangible well-being support. HKU MBBS students conducted non-invasive health screenings for all domestic worker guests, including:

• Weight and height measurements

• Blood pressure monitoring

• BMI calculation

• Reflex assessments

Following the screenings, participants visited the interpretation desk, where medical students provided personalised feedback and recommendations. For many attendees, this was an opportunity to receive health guidance in a welcoming, pressure-free environment.

Part of Something Bigger: HKU Lingering Love Project

This event marks the phenomenal kick-off of HKU Lingering Love: Health & Well-being for Migrant Domestic Workers, an ambitious six-part series dedicated to supporting the holistic well-being of Hong Kong's migrant worker community.

Upcoming Events in the Series:

Topic	Focus Area
Liver & Kidney Health	Physical wellness
Financial Wellness & Avoiding Scams	Practical life skills
Stroke & Neurological Disorders	Health education
Women's Health & Hygiene	Gender-specific care
Mental Health & Peer Pressure	Emotional well-being

Future sessions will be held across various venues, including the Consulate General of the Philippines, HKU Medical Campus, and Jockey Club Student Village IV, expanding the reach and impact of this meaningful initiative.

Looking Forward

What began as a single afternoon became something far greater, a bridge between communities, a celebration of shared humanity, and a powerful reminder that care transcends boundaries.

To the 92 domestic helpers who joined us: thank you for sharing your stories, your laughter, and your beautiful, selfless hearts. To our 35 student volunteers: thank you for showing up with open minds and leaving with transformed perspectives.

We cannot wait to welcome everyone back for the next chapter of this journey.

View full Photo Album here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/8zGjorR7o61u5dyR7

For more information about upcoming events in the HKU Lingering Love series, please contact College 1, Jockey Club Student Village IV.