Charity Organisation Found a Generous Community in Hong Kong

The OneSky for all Children story began in 1997, when Jenny and Richard Bowen adopted a toddler from a welfare institution in southern China who suffered from malnutrition, dysentery, parasites, developmental delays and emotional issues. But after just one year of non-stop loving attention and care from her new family, she was transformed.

Jenny Bowen, Founder and CEO, set up OneSky (previously Half the Sky) in 1998 and has transformed the lives of almost 180,000 children in China, Vietnam and Mongolia, with more than 38,000 OneSky-trained caregivers and the generosity of OneSky’s supporters.

In 2019, after a thorough needs assessment and in partnership with concerned individuals in Hong Kong, OneSky is launching the new P.C. Lee OneSky Global Centre for Early Childhood Development in the city after having an office here for 12 years. “China will always be at the heart of the organisation, but Hong Kong is a home from which we can share with the world,” Bowen said. “We’ve raised money here because of a generous community and now we want to begin giving back to this community, where one of five children lives in poverty. It’s a natural choice to set up our global headquarters in Hong Kong.”

Located in the heart of Sham Shui Po, the Centre will house an early childhood development and care centre for at-risk children from birth to six years old. It will feature an early learning lab focused on addressing a key skills gap in Hong Kong –care for the very youngest children at risk.

In 2018, the organisation launched a capital campaign, with the objective of raising US$20 million for the creation of a sustainable foundation for the OneSky Centre. The initial funding for the startup and first year operating costs has been secured and the organisation will continue until the goal is reached.

“Over the years, the Hong Kong community has provided crucial support for OneSky’s mission to bring quality nurture and early education to the world’s most vulnerable children,” Bowen said. “I am delighted that this generous community is now coming together to support our OneSky Global Centre for Early Childhood Development, which will serve Hong Kong’s often‑forgotten disadvantaged children, and will also be a valuable resource for like‑minded Hong Kong organisations.”

OneSky’s Hong Kong office currently employs 18 staff, looking after operations, finance, marketing and development. Over the next few months more positions will be created to run the OneSky Centre and provide the early learning, training and care that will be required.

“Thanks to InvestHK helping us to expand our reach through participating in their network events. The department has been a valuable resource for us all along,” Bowen said.