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8-Year-Old Girl Feels Invisible Like a “Ghost” Rediscovers Joy of Childhood through Art

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6 months ago

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“Healing Heart & Mind” Helps Children Voice Their Inner Worlds

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 22 September 2025 – A happy childhood begins with the space to explore, grow, and develop emotional and social skills. Artistic creation is one of the pathways to a child’s inner world, encouraging them to freely express their thoughts and feelings, while fostering the resilience and positive mindset needed for the future. Save the Children Hong Kong’s Healing Heart and Mind programme not only reaches into primary schools but also actively collaborates with community partners, including setting up in grassroots service points like the Sham Shui Po Community Living Room, to provide children with psychological support and opportunities to thrive through art.
8-year-old Cara* (right) expresses her feelings through artistic creation

A “Little Adult” at Home Finds Her Childhood Again in the Community Living Room
For the local residents of Sham Shui Po, the Community Living Room is a place to meet, connect, and build a social life. But for eight-year-old Cara*, it is practically a second home. Cara and her family live in a cramped home of around 150 square feet. With the living space so tight, her three younger siblings mostly stay indoors, while Cara goes to the Living Room every day after school to do her homework and play with friends, often staying right until it is about to close. She reveals that since her siblings were born, the attention she receives from her parents has drastically decreased. At times, she even has to take on the role of caregiver, a responsibility that has gradually changed the course of her childhood.

Cara’s mother notices how little she talks to her daughter these days. “There’s definitely less time for a chat compared to when she was an only child,” she says. “Now that she has a younger brother and sister, the time I can give her has naturally lessened.” She understands in her heart that her daughter needs attention and companionship, but the immense pressure of childcare leaves her feeling powerless.

Her five-year-old son has ADHD and requires constant care, so his mother even has to accompany him during his lessons. Her three-year-old daughter and two-year-old son are also very young and need looking after around the clock. Their mother runs off her feet, with scarcely a moment to rest. Even while constantly rushing to care for her younger children, Cara’s mum tries her best to bring them to the Community Living Room to see Cara, creating the most precious family moments she can. But she is simply overwhelmed and has no time for herself. The thought that her children need her is what keeps her going; she can only grit her teeth and carry on. Meanwhile, the father works long hours to provide for the family, with hardly any days off to enjoy some family time. This helplessness and struggle are a microcosm of the reality for many families with children who have special needs—parents who long to care for each child equally but, due to limited resources and time, are forced to make difficult compromises between the ideal and the reality.

Feeling a lack of parental attention, Cara calls herself a “ghost”. “I am nothing,” she says, “just blank—no one notices me.” She sometimes resents her siblings for taking her parents’ attention away, but this feeling is not simple blame. It stems from a deep internal conflict and struggle. The social worker at the Community Living Room, who sees Cara often, has observed that as the big sister, she is deeply affectionate towards her younger siblings. When her mum is overwhelmed, she proactively helps to look after them and plays with them. She understands how exhausted her mother is and knows her siblings need care, yet at eight years old, she still longs for her parents’ love and attention. This difficult position—of being both the sensible one and a child who still craves care—causes Cara significant inner turmoil.
Expressive Art as a Key to Unlock Inner Feelings and Relieve Emotions
The social worker recalled that Cara initially struggled to express her emotions. Although she longed for her parents’ attention, she kept her feelings bottled up and would sometimes hide and cry. The only activity that brought her comfort was drawing on her phone, perhaps one reason she enrolled in the Healing Heart and Mind programme of Save the Children Kong Kong.

Through 8 art-based sessions, the programme encourages children to express their emotions through art, while learning to identify and manage different feelings. Cara said the classes allowed her to create and express herself freely, which made her ‘super happy’—and she still remembers them vividly six months later. She learned how to express herself when needed and use tools like a “calming bottle” to ease anxiety. “When I am upset, I can write it down and put it in a box,” she said.

Cara has also learnt to face her unhappy feelings with a more positive mindset. She says, “Once you learn how to manage your feelings, you won’t (verbally) lash out at other people. Now, I try to remember what I’ve learnt, happy moments, what my teacher says, and memories of my dad, mum, and grandad. I try not to dwell on the unhappy things, because that just makes you feel worse.”

Expressing feelings through art also gives parents a chance to see and appreciate their children’s talents. One child in the class shared that they usually aren’t allowed to take their projects home from art class at school, so their family never gets to see what they’ve made. For some of the children, being able to bring their work home is a simple pleasure. “My mum and dad praise me now, which makes me really happy,” says Cara. “My mum isn’t very good at drawing herself, but when she saw my artwork, she realised how well I could draw.” This newfound confidence in expressing herself has carried over into other areas of Cara’s life. She recently wrote her own play and took the initiative to invite the social worker and her friends from the Living Room to rehearse it with her. Together, they put on a brilliant performance, allowing her to express her true self through her creativity.

Kalina Tsang, CEO of Save the Children Hong Kong, grew heartfelt as she reflected on the Healing Heart and Mind programme, “Every child holds a vibrant world within—but sometimes, life’s struggles silence their voices.” The programme, she explained, works like a key for children, unlocking doors to self-expression through art. We are confident that by helping children learn how to be friends with their own emotions, they will be able to face any future challenges with a more positive and resilient attitude, grow up healthy and happy.”
Note:
* Denotes name changed to protect identity

Hashtag: #SavetheChildrenHongKong #MentalWellbeing #ExpressiveArt #HealingHeartAndMind





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Save the Children Hong Kong

Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. In Hong Kong and around the world, we do whatever it takes – every day and in times of crisis – so children can fulfil their rights to a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. With over 100 years of expertise, we are the world’s first and leading independent children’s organisation – transforming lives and the future we share.

Established in 2009, Save the Children Hong Kong is part of the global movement which operates in around 100 countries. We work with children, families, schools, communities and our supporters to deliver lasting change for children in Hong Kong and around the world.

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Celebrate, Rest, and Recharge This Raya With XIXILI’s Sleepwear Collection

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12 hours ago

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11/03/2026

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KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 11 March 2026 – Comfort is set to be a defining theme for Raya 2026, and it extends well beyond the festive outfit. XIXILI is bringing that same ease into the downtime between celebrations, with sleepwear designed for the hours when women can finally catch their breath, rest, and simply be.

The Reality of the Raya Rush

The lead-up to Raya is a whirlwind of grocery runs, deep cleaning, and late nights in the kitchen. By the time the first open house begins, most women have already put in an incredible amount of effort for their families. The quiet moments in between are not just a break. They are earned.

XIXILI’s pajamas are made for those moments. Easy to move in, soft enough to wear through the night, and the kind of pieces that make coming home feel like something to look forward to. Designed to fit a wide range of body types, every woman can find something that feels as good as it looks.

“Raya is everything. The food, the family, the laughter. And at the end of it all, she deserves to rest just as well as she celebrated,” says Tara Tan, Marketing Director at XIXILI.

Comfort That Carries Through the Season

Raya may bring the occasion, but the shift happening in Malaysian wardrobes goes further than that. Women are increasingly treating sleepwear as a considered part of their self-care, not just something to change into before bed.

“We often talk about the joy of gathering, but we rarely talk about the exhaustion that comes with it,” Tara Tan adds. “Our goal for Raya 2026 is to ensure that when the last guest leaves, every woman has a high-quality piece of loungewear to retreat into. It is about honouring the work she does by giving her the rest she deserves.”

Quality loungewear for the wind-down, the slow morning, and every quiet moment in between has become one of the most considered purchases a woman makes this season.

Made to Be Worn, Not Just Owned

Good sleepwear should not sit tucked away at the back of a drawer. It should be the first thing she reaches for at the end of a long day, worn in and looked forward to. XIXILI’s range is built for exactly that, styles that settle naturally into her routine and carry her well beyond the festive season.

The full sleepwear collection is available online and at XIXILI boutiques nationwide. To shop the range, visit www.xixili-intimates.com.Hashtag: #XIXILI





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About XIXILI

A homegrown Malaysian brand, XIXILI offers beautiful fashion lingerie and shapewear in Malaysia that prioritises fit and comfort. With an extensive range of bra sizes from A to I and bands 65 to 110cm, XIXILI caters to women of all shapes and sizes. Expert fitters are dedicated to helping each customer find the perfect bra, boosting confidence and enhancing silhouettes.

XIXILI became the first Malaysian lingerie brand to introduce a Try-On in 3D avatar tool, allowing customers to virtually try on XIXILI lingerie using a 3D avatar tailored to their specific body type and measurements. Whether for everyday wear or something special, XIXILI ensures women always look and feel amazing.

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Vingroup Introduces Special Program to Support Customers Amid Rising Fuel Costs

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23 hours ago

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10/03/2026

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HANOI, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 10 March 2026 – Amid volatility in global fuel prices, Vingroup has announced the launch of a special “Trade Gas for Electric” program in Vietnam, India, Indonesia, and the Philippines. The program offers an additional 3% discount on VinFast cars and 5% discount on VinFast electric scooters for customers switching from old gasoline vehicles. At the same time, fares for Xanh SM services will be reduced by 10% from March 11 to March 31, 2026, depending on each market.

Specifically, in addition to the existing incentives currently available, customers who switch from old gasoline vehicles to new VinFast electric vehicles during the program period will receive an additional 3% discount for cars and 5% discount for scooters. The program will be applied across all four markets: Vietnam, India, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

Fares for Xanh SM services will be reduced by 10% from March 11 to March 31, 2026

In line with VinFast’s pioneering spirit, GSM Green and Smart Mobility Joint Stock Company has also announced an immediate 10% reduction in fares for electric mobility services on the Xanh SM platform in Vietnam and Green SM in Indonesia from March 11 to March 31, 2026. This initiative offers customers a more environmentally-friendly and cost-effective transportation option.

The program may be extended depending on international developments and future fuel price movements.

Ms. Duong Thi Thu Trang, Deputy CEO of Global Sales, VinFast, stated: “The special ‘Trade Gas for Electric’ program launched in March across four key markets is VinFast’s timely response to geopolitical volatility that is affecting socio-economic conditions in many countries around the world. As one of the pioneering manufacturers leading the global electric vehicle revolution, VinFast together with companies in Vingroup’s green ecosystem aims to help reduce the impact of fuel prices on people’s daily lives while also lowering environmental pollution through smarter, more sustainable, and more cost-efficient mobility solutions.”

The special “Trade Gas for Electric” program will be implemented in parallel with and combined with other available incentive programs in each market. Through layered incentives, Vingroup and companies within its ecosystem aim to create favorable conditions for customers to transition quickly to electric vehicles, reduce dependence on gasoline, stabilize daily life, and contribute to building a cleaner and more civilized living environment.

Hashtag: #Vingroup

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

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Singapore University of Social Sciences Expands Regional Footprint in China with Launch of Success Academy in Chongqing

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1 day ago

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10/03/2026

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New Academy and Shenyang satellite office strengthen SUSS’ visibility and partnerships across Western and Northeast China.

CHONGQING, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 10 March 2026 – The Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) today launched the SUSS Success Academy in Chongqing in collaboration with Raffles Young Academy (RYA) Pte Ltd and announced the establishment of a satellite office in Shenyang. Building on its Success Academies in Beijing and Shenzhen, the Academy strengthens SUSS’ presence in China and supports its growing engagement across Western and Northeast China.

Guests and partners at the launch event of the Success Academy in Chongqing. (From L-R: Dr Yap Meen Sheng, Assistant Provost, SUSS; Mr Lennon Tan, President, Singapore Manufacturing Federation; Mr Li Xunfu, Deputy Director of Chongqing Municipal Commission of Commerce; Prof Tan Tai Yong, President, SUSS; Mr Samuel Ng, Executive Chairman, Raffles Young Academy; Associate Professor Justina Tan, Vice President, Strategic & Partnership Engagement)

The launch was commemorated with an opening ceremony at the CCI Gallery, attended by close to 70 guests from China and Singapore, including representatives from institutions of higher learning, and industry and community partners. The ceremony was presided by Vice-Consul (Political) Ms. Mavis Tan, Consulate-General of the Republic of Singapore, Chengdu and Mr. Li Xunfu, Deputy Director of Chongqing Municipal Commission of Commerce.

Success Academy to connect partners from Singapore and China

Anchored in SUSS’ commitment to lifelong learning and creating social impact, the Academy will serve as a key nexus for academic and industry partners from both countries. Through cross-cultural collaboration and practice-oriented learning, it also aims to develop future-ready talent equipped to contribute meaningfully to society and the economy.

RYA is an education and talent development organisation aimed at nurturing future-ready talent through industry-oriented learning and international exposure. RYA will bring its networks and local expertise to support and enhance the Academy’s initiatives.

Through the Academy, SUSS will provide opportunities for students from SUSS and other Singapore pre-tertiary and tertiary institutions to co-learn and co-innovate with peers in China. These include interdisciplinary global learning courses, impact startup and venture builder programmes, industry-based immersions and student exchanges. SUSS students will also gain regional exposure through internships and other workplace learning opportunities. In addition, the Academy will support SUSS in working with universities and organisations in China to jointly design and deliver industry-relevant courses and programmes for students and executives.

Extending engagement into Northeast China with Shenyang satellite office

To further deepen its engagement in Northeast China, SUSS will launch a satellite office in Shenyang on 11 March 2026 under the Success Academy in Chongqing. This office will support SUSS’ initiatives in Liaoning Province and surrounding areas, including Dalian. In addition, three Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) will be signed with the following organisations:

  • Shenyang University of Chemical Technology (SYUCT): Collaborative development of a Master’s degree programme in Social Work, fostering cross-border knowledge exchange, curriculum innovation, and talent development to address evolving social service needs.
  • North-East Institute of Population and Social Development: Joint research endeavours, professional development programmes, and meaningful academia-industry partnerships to generate evidence-based solutions, build capabilities, and promote active ageing ecosystems that benefit individuals and communities.

Professor Tan Tai Yong, President of SUSS, said, “China is an important partner for SUSS as we expand opportunities for our students and strengthen collaboration across Asia. The launch of the Success Academy in Chongqing allows us to work more closely with universities, industry and community partners in Western and Northeast China, and to deliver applied, practice-oriented education that responds to real-world needs. Our partnership with Raffles Young Academy reflects our shared commitment to developing future-ready talent and supporting professional growth across the region.”

Mr. Samuel Ng, Executive Chairman, RYA, said, “Our collaboration with the Singapore University of Social Sciences reflects a shared belief in applied, practice-oriented education and in preparing students and enterprises to navigate an increasingly complex and interconnected world. Chongqing’s strategic position as a gateway to Western China and a hub for industry and connectivity makes it an ideal location for immersive, industry-linked education. This partnership represents a long-term commitment to building enduring bridges between students and industry, between academia and practice, and between Singapore and China.”

The launch of the Success Academy in Chongqing is part of SUSS’ broader expansion across Asia. Since 2023, SUSS has established Success Academies in Beijing, Shenzhen, Ho Chi Minh City Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Manila and Mumbai.

For more information, visit www.suss.edu.sg/success-academy.
Hashtag: #SUSS




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