A refreshing voice in early education, Helena Pong has reschooled herself since founding Sophie Kindergarten, while juggling motherhood and charity work. Having the support of her family helped.
The new year is often a time for reflection and resolutions. Can you share your thoughts on this as we enter 2022?
Happy new year to all your readers. As for reflections on another year passed, I always take time to assess where I am in life and show my appreciation to all those who have had my back. And instead of setting high-flying goals, I keep my resolutions simple – to strike a better balance between work commitments, charity and family life.
What keeps you motivated?
It’s the people around me, the kindergarten, the children, their parents, my whole team – positive feedback from them means the world, bringing me immense satisfaction and the impetus to keep going forward. It’s important for everyone to feel acknowledged and appreciated so we can continue to do great work. My team at the kindergarten, my kids, my husband – indeed the whole family – are so supportive and that is why I’m where I am today.
How important is it for a working mother to have a solid support system?
In order to keep going as a working mother, you need a powerful network of strong people that you can rely on. This can come from colleagues, neighbours, family – we need a wealth of support in our everyday lives. Personally, I am grateful to have a supportive husband who encourages me to pursue my passions and embrace my interests.
Can you tell us about your upbringing and how it has shaped your personality?
Dance was an important part of my childhood. Consistent dance practice and participation throughout my school years – from primary to secondary – was critical in imparting healthy lessons about team spirit and physical and emotional strength. Any kind of performing arts is incredibly tough – not just the self-discipline required to continue week in, week out, but also stepping onto the stage in front of a live audience, which requires mastering another set of skills, particularly self-confidence and resilience. Dance practice certainly instilled a can-do attitude in me, and building all those short bits of movement into a full-fledged performance taught me so much about the importance of a collaborative team effort. Attributes honed in childhood always come handy in your adult life.
“Building all those short bits of movement into a full-fledged [dance] performance taught me so much about the importance of a collaborative team effort”
In 2014, you opened Sophie Kindergarten & Nursery School in southwest Kowloon. Why did you decide to start a kindergarten?
It’s a scientific fact that between birth and the fifth birthday, the brain develops more than at any other stage of life. Early childhood education gives important life skills – from using forks to holding pencils, forming relationships and understanding social skills – and attending a good kindergarten is integral to the holistic foundation of a child’s emotional, cognitive and physical needs.
Knowledge can be gained every second of our life, but our attitude and character are shaped in the early years. It’s very important for youngsters to have the right exposure and values – at home or in kindergarten – for maximum growth. Raising three kids of my own gave me the passion to help our most precious resource grow into responsible, well-rounded, competent learners. What better way to achieve that than by providing a stimulating, fun environment? At Sophie’s, we focus on the intangible gains a child makes – developing fine motor skills through play and practice, honing creativity through role play, broadening mental capacity through board games and acquiring social skills through group activities.
As a female entrepreneur, what were the main challenges you encountered and how did you overcome them?
The most challenging aspect of being a mompreneur is time management. Creating a balance between family life and work obligations so neither suffers and professional targets are met is a skill I mastered over time.
Raising my qualifications to the required level was another arduous task. I had a banking and finance background, but without a formal degree in child education dipping my toes in an early-years programme was tough. Only after opening the school did I realise that my knowledge and experience from being a mother weren’t sufficient for running an educational institution.
The importance of being qualified cannot be debated, so besides being active at Po Leung Kok, running a home and a kindergarten, and attending social functions, I started studying for a principal certification. It took me three years of hard work and dedication to get this and my postgraduate diploma in early childhood education in place – there were times when my family didn’t see much of me for the entire week and weekends were reserved for assignments. So yes, if you are a mompreneur, time management is the key skill.
Can you tell us about your education?
I attended St Paul’s Convent School and then went to London for higher studies in finance and banking. Funnily enough, I never really pursued what I studied in college. I met my husband, Wilson Pong, at university and we married early in life.
Growing up did you ever imagine you would be in the place you are right now?
I never had any fantasies, expectations or big life plans growing up. Even when I was young, I couldn’t imagine what I might be doing in 10 years. I’ve always just gone with the flow, and it’s worked out just fine…
A little girl in your kindergarten wishes to become a future leader. What words of advice would you give her?
I hope you don’t mind if I twist this question a little. I would advise the parents instead, as the girl is little and might not understand. Parenting doesn’t come with a set of instructions, mums and dads navigate a course of action, prod along and hope for the best outcome.
The process to raising future leaders starts with us. It’s never too early to start working on your children hoping they’d be the ones to change the world. As parents we need to make sure the fundamentals are right. Ensure your children cultivate a positive attitude, give them the tools to overcome challenges, stick to a goal, persevere, commit, learn from mistakes and accept setbacks in the process. It’s important for parents to find the area their children are interested, help them find a passion and encourage consistency and commitment in efforts. See, in life as long as you love something and have that burning desire, you do well. I studied for banking and finance but never worked in that industry for a day in my life. I found my passions after university and relentlessly pursue them till today. For me or anyone else, taking charge and changing the course pf your life is okay.
At the kindergarten stage, I always tell parents that primary-school admissions are tough, competition is cut-throat – the important thing is to make sure your child likes school and it’s a positive place for them to thrive. If they are not fond of the environment, there is nothing you can do. You can’t do the [admissions] interview for them, you can’t perform for them – unless the child likes their school, it’s hard for them to succeed.
“…make sure your child likes the school. You can’t do the interview for them – unless the child likes the environment, it’s hard for them to flourish”
Tell us more about your charity work at Po Leung Kuk.
Po Leung Kuk is one of the most prominent and committed charities in Hong Kong. Tirelessly serving for over 140 years now, we are currently providing services to over 300 units which, in turn, help an average of 800,000 people a year. The charity genuinely believes in the spirit of benevolence, and that as a community we should protect the young and innocent, the old and vulnerable. It’s a very people-oriented philosophy with the mission to cater to an all-round, “holistic development” of those in need. Care, respect, equity and empowerment are the key guiding lights and the charity strives to create a harmonious environment of rendering social, educational, recreational, cultural and medical services to individuals from all walks of life.
As their Vice Chairman, I am now more on the management side, but pre-Covid, I used to spend time with the sick children, feeding, cuddling and playing with them – it’s heart-warming to see how much our time, attention and affection can mean to those in need. That gives me true contentment and satisfaction.
What’s your favourite way to unwind?
Listening to music and just lazing around at home with my family.
What would be an ideal Sunday for you?
A late Sunday brunch followed by boating or hiking. My husband loves the boat and I love exploring the city’s hilly terrain of on foot. Hiking is such a great exercise; we both love the outdoors and being out in nature. Covid-induced restrictions have been a blessing in disguise for us – since the halt of travel, we have a newfound appreciation for our home.
What are you most looking forward to once the pandemic is behind us?
Though we’ve been content not to travel, it would be amazing to venture beyond our shores once again. We’d probably do a short trip to Tokyo to begin with. It’s the family’s favourite destination – the kids are avid Disneyland fans, and my husband and I love the food and shopping there too.
Thank you.
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Interview by: Nikita Mishra Photos: Jack Ngai Styling and Art Direction: Jhoshwa Ledesma
