EVENT DESCRIPTION
Where Hope Begins brings together a selection of photographs taken by Sophie Bonnin-Rocher within the communities supported by Mayaa in Hong Kong and Nepal. The series alternates scenes of daily life, moments at school, portraits and quiet everyday instants. The images tell singular stories—without sensationalism—and make visible those we too rarely see.
In 2024, during a trip to Kathmandu (Nepal) with her son, Sophie visited the Mayaa centre and accompanied the charity’s social workers in the field, close to families for whom access to school is never guaranteed. Because hope also begins here—in Hong Kong—she then extended the project alongside two members of the Mayaa HK team, visiting partner schools and meeting families supported by the charity. Her images reveal a reality that often goes unseen: in a city perceived as affluent, very practical barriers—uniforms, school supplies, fees, or health needs—can determine whether a child is in the classroom.
Through photography that is both documentary and deeply human, the exhibition immerses visitors in these lives and highlights what Mayaa’s support changes in tangible ways: covering school fees, uniforms, books and supplies, social follow-up and health support—levers that help children stay on the path of education.
Where Hope Begins has no commercial purpose. The exhibition was designed as a gateway into Mayaa’s work in Hong Kong and Nepal: to understand, to feel, to meet—and, above all, to realise that hope often begins with something simple: a child who can go to school.
ABOUT THE ARTIST / ORGANISER
Mayaa World is an NGO founded in 2011 by Nicole Sicard and Sarbendra Pachhai. Its mission: to support children and families living in extreme poverty so that children can go to school and stay in school, in order to break the cycle of poverty. In Hong Kong, where poverty also affects the youngest, Mayaa supports students in the most underprivileged areas by covering essential education-related expenses (uniforms, supplies, school and medical costs). In Nepal, Mayaa funds schooling and combines social follow-up, health and prevention programmes. A human-scale NGO, Mayaa relies on a largely volunteer team in Hong Kong and a salaried team in Nepal.Sophie Bonnin-Rocher is a photographer whose work draws on visual storytelling to highlight the value of people and create connection. Her practice ranges from documentary photography to intimate portraiture, with a particular focus on impact-driven initiatives. She has collaborated with organisations such as ImpactHK and Redress on inclusion and sustainability projects. In Hong Kong, she also coordinates Climate Fresk workshops to raise environmental awareness.
