At the moment, we have to rely on my son’s welfare allowance,” said one divorcée. Getting a better-paying job is also difficult for these full-time mothers, who struggle to find the time to learn new skills that are necessary for moving up. Although the dialogue session was quite brief, it was an emotional experience for everyone to see how many of the mothers are desperate for a better life. 
Besides getting to know the mothers, QI staff also got to mingle and play with their adorable children. Despite a difficult childhood, the kids were still delighted with all the attention from our employees. A heart-warming moment occurred when the children were given a wonderful surprise – 10 boxes filled with toys, books and clothing, donated by QI employees! “Hearing their stories really moved me. It’s hard enough raising children alone, but to do it in a new place without much support takes a lot of courage and strength,” said Chief Financial Officer Mr Gary Zhang. “I’m inspired that NWAL is here to help, and give guidance and emotional support. Being here today to listen to the mothers is the least we can do,” continued Mr Zhang. “We shall continue our efforts to help, and spread the NWAL message to our community. Hopefully more people can join and help the new immigrants.” NWAL began as a telephone support group; today it is a full-fledged organisation that not only provides support for single parent immigrants, but also guides the women to the right resources for getting their life on track. Moreover, NWAL works closely with the mothers to help make their voices heard by creating awareness of their plight. Kudos to the Hong Kong team for initiating this activity with NWAL and supporting one of RYTHM Foundation’s core pillars, community development.
