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Play・Think・Create in Discovery Bay! BRAIN BOOSTER! FUN FACTS FOR MOTHER'S DAY 🌍GET READY FOR MAY 10 Mother’s Day is celebrated in over 100 countries around the world! In Hong Kong, it happens on the second Sunday of May. 👩IT’S THANKS TO ANNA Mother’s Day was thought up by a woman named Anna Jarvis. She wanted a special day to say thank you to mums. 💐SAY IT WITH FLOWERS The most popular Mother’s Day gift is flowers! Traditionally we give carnations but any will do, even a paper one you’ve made yourself! 🍳MAKE HER BREAKFAST Lots of kids make breakfast for their mums, and restaurants get super busy because families go out to eat together and have some fun. 💌WRITE IT DOWN Millions of people give cards – it’s one of the biggest card-giving holidays! Write something sweet to show mum you love her. 🌈SHARE THE LOVE Mother’s Day isn’t just for mums – you can also celebrate aunties, grandmas or anyone who takes care of you. This Month's Challenge: Draw Your Mum! 🖍️Use paints, crayons, pencils, or anything you like. Any size, any style – just have fun! 📫Ask a grown-up to email your drawing to rachel@arounddb.com by May 20. You might see it in the next issue or on our Instagram page! How about making mum a rainbow fruit cup when she wakes up on Mother’s Day? Choose any fruit you know she likes – a couple of strawberries, a banana, a handful of blueberries, a kiwi… and ask an adult to wash them for you, and chop them up. Then you can layer them into a tall glass or bowl. Add a dollop of yogurt and honey, or even ice cream as a special treat! MAKE IT! FLOWER PEOPLE CARD ✂️HOW TO MAKE IT: 1. Take a long strip of green paper and fold it accordion-style (zig-zag folds) 2. Draw a simple person shape across the folds with the head at the top and arms going out to the sides – the arms must touch the edges so the ‘chain’ stays connected! 3. Cut it out without cutting through the arms 4. Unfold it, and you’ll get a chain of connected ‘people’! 5. Cut out simple flower shapes 6. Glue one on top of each ‘person’s’ head 7. On each figure, write something you’ll do for mum like set the table, or make your bed 8. Write ‘Happy Mother’s Day: I Love You’ on the bottom strip MEET PEBBLES THE FROG! Your funny new friend has three jokes for you this month …

After a long career spanning Spain and Hong Kong, Fernando Recio is finally stepping out for his home team, Ampcontrol DB, at the upcoming Soccer Sevens. Sam Agars reports PHOTOGRAPHY BY Andrew J.C. Spires & Nigel Baillie Where Fernando Recio comes from, football is life. And now, nearly 40 years after his first-ever training session, the 43-year-old Spaniard will once again get the chance to play the game he loves when he steps out for Ampcontrol DB in this month’s HKFC Standard Chartered Priority Private Soccer Sevens. “I remember my first training session – I was five years old. If you are a football player, you are a football player until you pass away,” he says. “All my life is about football. Even now, I am so happy I can continue to work in football because it is not easy when you retire from playing.” After a senior career as a centre-back spanning more than two decades, beginning in Spain and culminating in Hong Kong, Fernando is now an assistant coach for Hong Kong Premier League (HKPL) side Kitchee and the Hong Kong national team. A third-division player in Spain for teams such as UE Rapitenca and CF Amposta while living in Roquetes, Fernando was lured to Hong Kong by Kitchee in 2010 and also represented Lee Man in the HKPL, as well as stepping out for the Hong Kong national team. “I played for Kitchee for nine years and Lee Man for five, while I also played some games for Hong Kong. It was a nice experience, representing Hong Kong. In Spain this would have been impossible that I play for the national team. The level is amazing in Spain but to have this opportunity here is really good,” he says. His retirement from playing, however, will be put on hold when he suits up for Ampcontrol DB at the Soccer Sevens at the Hong Kong Football Club from May 22 to 24. The team is managed by local residents Tim Bredbury and Mike Collier, who runs the Discovery Bay Football Club over-45s team. And, after moving to DB from Tung Chung last year, Fernando is looking forward to representing his new home. “At my age, I just want to enjoy the experience. Of course, I want to win every single game and I like to be competitive, but honestly the most important thing for me now is to enjoy it,” he says. Fernando will make his first appearance for Ampcontrol DB, with Tim Bredbury finally getting his man. “Tim is a legend in Hong Kong. Everybody in Hong Kong football knows Tim. We started to talk and he kept asking when I could play and finally this year I have time,” confirms Fernando. While Tim, a DB resident of almost 40 years, is acutely aware of the importance of being competitive, the tournament is about far more than just winning and losing. “It’s just fun. It’s the best Sevens tournament in Asia and you get to play against some of the best players,” he says. “It’s also got a great community feel. The football scene in DB is pretty strong, especially up at DBIS of an evening. Every night of the week there is a football game of some description going on, plus there is Sunday morning football.” While the team will feature a string of DB residents, the sponsors are also a major par t of Ampcontrol DB’s fabric and boast strong local connections through Lippman Lee (Ampcontrol), Tim Drew (Tanner De Wit t), Paul Daley (Feather & Bone), Guillaume Mauf frey (Riedel), Wendy Lee (Axis Performance), Deshraj Chandel and Gaurav Bhasin (Ona/ A Tavola), Gareth Rae (Tsunami) and Jean- François Harvey (Around DB). Non-DB resident sponsor Creative Lighting Asia is also a key part of this year’s family. While it will be Fernando’s first time playing in the masters section of the Soccer Sevens – where teams can have five players aged from 35 to 39 with the rest 40 and over – he’s tasted the ultimate success in the tournament’s main draw. “I have played in the Soccer Sevens twice before, both with Kitchee. We won the tournament against Celtic in 2011 and in 2014 we lost the final against Man City,” he says. “I like the atmosphere of this tournament and that there is football from the morning into the night. The games are fast; there are different rules – no offsides – and when you have possession you cannot lose the ball otherwise you have to run a lot. It’s quite interesting.” Victory in the Soccer Sevens is far from the extent of Fernando’s footballing success in Hong Kong, and his experience will be called on as Ampcontrol DB looks to go back-to-back after defeating Wallsend Boys Club HK in last year’s final. “The DB team has good quality every year and is always in the fight to win the tournament. Now is the most difficult – everyone can win one time but to continue to win is most difficult. Let’s see how we go.” On top of the pressure that comes with defending the title, Fernando admits he’s also starting to feel a bit apprehensive on a personal level. “I’ve never played this over-age football but I think it will be a good level. I’m a bit nervous. Maybe not so much nervous, but definitely excited. Let’s see if I can continue at my level. It’s a big challenge for me,” he says. “I’m trying to prepare but I haven’t played football for almost two years so it won’t be easy. Of course, I know how to play football but I’m not as fit as some players.” When he’s not coaching, Fernando remains involved in the game through his support of Real Madrid – “All my family follow Barcelona, being from Catalonia, so when I watch with my family, I’m a bit shy” – and following 16-year-old son Hugo as he plies his own career for Kitchee. Fernando is quick to praise the facilities in Hong Kong but today’s generation of youngsters does leave him scratching his head at times. “The pitches I started on weren’t artificial, they were sand. It was difficult back then. Now it’s easy for everyone,” says Fernando, who also has a daughter – Paola, 14. “My son is not bad. Let’s see... Now, the new generation sometimes is a bit lazy. Too much computers, too much phone – it’s different to when I was that age. For me, it was only football. I would go to school and play football, then I would finish school and play football. It was 24/7 football. Now it is different.” That’s part of the DB attraction for Fernando and his wife Gloria – the countless ways parents can entice their children outside. “One of the reasons I like DB is that you can ride your bicycle, you can go running, you play football, basketball, tennis – you can do all these things. If you live elsewhere, it’s not as easy,” he says, before expanding on why DB has been such a great fit for his family. “Everyone knows each other and it’s a small community. I like it a lot. It’s calm, you’ve got the beach, the kids can play, Central is only 25 minutes away and Sunny Bay is 12 minutes by bus. I’ve measured it. I am so happy to be here.” While Fernando is lapping up the quiet life in DB, things will be anything but calm come the pointy end of the Soccer Sevens as his side battles to retain its crown. “Of course, there is always pressure when you win a lot and I love the pressure,” he says. “It excites me. I like this tournament.”

HONG KONG COMIC CON Three days of fun are in store for fans of comics, anime, film, TV and gaming at Hong Kong Comic Con running from May 29 to 31 at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. You can expect cosplay showcases, exhibits, panel discussions and live Q&As, plus opportunities for celebrity meet and greets with the likes of Katie Leung (Harry Potter, Bridgerton), Daniel Logan (Star Wars) and Giancarlo Esposito (Breaking Bad). Purchase tickets at Trip.com, Klook and Experience 11. FRENCH MAY ARTS FESTIVAL Hong Kong’s French May Arts Festival runs from May 1 to July 27, featuring over 100 cultural events including dance, theatre, music and food. Highlights include Meet Mona Lisa, an immersive digital journey brought by the Louvre and Grand Palais Immersif; Jan Martens’ The Dog Days Are Over 2.0, in which eight dancers push the limits of endurance; and a live performance by Grammy-nominated DJ Snake. Purchase tickets at Cityline. AFFORDABLE ART FAIR Held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from May 14 to 17, the Affordable Art Fair makes art collecting easy for everyone, delivering a wide range of artworks hailing from 100+ galleries and 15 different countries. Get ready to browse through a diverse and carefully curated selection of contemporary artworks, all priced between HK$1,000 and HK$100,000. Purchase tickets at Eventbrite. BUDDHA’S BIRTHDAY Buddhist temples across Hong Kong mark Buddha’s Birthday – May 24 this year – with cultural performances and lantern displays, as well as the traditional ‘bathing the Buddha’ ritual, where practitioners pour scented water over a statue of the infant Siddhartha in a symbolic act of purification. Celebrations take place citywide with particularly high traffic at Po Lin Monastey in Ngong Ping, Chi Lin Nunnery in Diamond Hill and Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery in Shatin. EXTRAVAGANZA LATIN CARNIVAL Bringing the energy of Brazil to Hong Kong, Extravaganza Latin Carnival is taking over Central Harbourfront from May 23 to 24 with Viradouro (the 2026 Rio de Janeiro Carnival champion samba school) dancers accompanied by the legendary Samba Latina. Look forward to an electrifying fusion of samba, reggaeton, salsa and funk, plus Latin food, drink and art. Purchase tickets at extravaganzabrazil.com.

Cheung Chau Bun Festival has to be Hong Kong’s whackiest and most authentic cultural celebration – be there on May 24

GUIDEPOST MONTESSORI SUMMER CAMP Stories come to life in the Guidepost Montessori Storybook Adventure Camp, where each week is inspired by the imaginative worlds of well-known children’s authors. Young campers, aged 2 to 6, explore these stories through creative art, hands-on building, science experiments and playful problem-solving. Weekly camps are on offer from June 29 to July 31 at the school’s DB North campus. Enrol by May 17 to receive 10% savings; register for three or more weeks to save an additional 5%. To find out more, email admissions@guidepost.hk or visit guidepost.hk. BLOOD DONATION IN DB SOUTH Looking to donate blood to save lives? The Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service’s blood donation vehicle is in DB South Plaza from May 22 to 24, 10.30am to 4.30pm. Given the ageing population and the increasing demand for blood transfusion, BTS is proactively recruiting new donors across Hong Kong. To donate in DB this month, register at FB @db.community.hk. WILD ABOUT SPICY TIGER Delivering a punchy menu packed with bold Szechuan flavours and a dazzling decor complete with neon signage, Spicy Tiger more than lives up to its exotic name. Since roaring on to the DB dining scene in January 2025, co-owners Huijun and her husband have followed through on a very definite agenda, namely to provide tasty, affordable food out of a welcoming, community-oriented venue. “As DB residents, we are passionate about bringing something different to the community,” Huijun opens. “We’re the only Szechuan restaurant in DB, our three chefs are very experienced having worked at Hutong and 12 Flavors, and our food is both authentic and affordable with ingredients sourced in Chengdu. We want people to relax and have fun at Spicy Tiger, so there’s a VIP room with karaoke and a pet-friendly outdoor area, as well as the 80-seater dining room. We also host regular events to bring the community together… everything from cultural events to pet adoption days.” It will come as no surprise to Spicy Tiger’s loyal clientele that restaurant manager Joe and the team are going all out for Mother’s Day on May 10 with a dim-sum brunch, kids’ activities and free-flow wine for mums. “They deserve it,” Huijun says with a smile. “At Spicy Tiger, we live to entertain people – if they’re happy, we are happy too.” MAY IS HELPER MONTH Launched back in 2015, Helper Appreciation Month enables all of us in the community – individuals, schools and businesses – to give of our time to ensure that DB helpers feel the love and have some well-deserved fun. A series of informative and empowering free events are being planned. To find out more, turn to page 24 and visit Facebook @MayHelperAppreciation. AMPCONTROL DB AT THE SOCCER SEVENS Ampcontrol DB has been invited to participate in the Masters section of the HKFC Standard Chartered Priority Private Soccer Sevens, which is being held from May 22 to 24 at Hong Kong Football Club. Since 2017, the team has reached the final of the tournament on several occasions and they won the Masters Trophy in 2018 and 2025. This year, they’re back looking to retain their title and complete a hat trick of wins. The main sponsor again in 2026 is Ampcontrol; secondary sponsors include Tanner De Witt, Feather & Bone, Ona/ A Tavola, Tsunami, Axis Performance, Around DB, Riedel and Creative Lighting Asia. To find out more, turn to page 12, and visit hksoccersevens.com and discoverybayfc.com. [PHOTO BY Nigel Baillie.] ENSEMBLE EVENING AT DC The Discovery College music department is hosting one of its most anticipated annual events: Ensemble Evening on May 19 from 6pm to 7.30pm at the DC Theatre. Audiences can expect a range of music styles including Motown, Classical, Pop and R&B performed by DC Chamber Orchestra, Cobra Choir, Secondary Choir and the high-energy Stage Band. This is a free event and the whole community is invited to enjoy a night of wonderful music. For more on DC, visit discovery.esf.edu.hk. Dates For Your Diary MAY 9 & 10 | SHOP THE DB WEEKEND MARKET in DB South Plaza from 11am to 6pm. Visit handmadehongkong.com. MAY 30 | JOIN A BEACH CLEAN-UP! Meet at the Nim Shue Wan gate at 2pm. Email dana@plasticfreeseas.org. ALL MONTH | DONATE PRELOVED FURNITURE to people in need through DB Mothers & Friends. To arrange for pick-up, visit FB @dbmf.collection. BEACH CLEAN-UP AT PAK NAI While the monthly Plastic Free Seas clean-up at Nim Shue Wan on May 30 is the last before the summer, DB’s homegrown ecocharity is supporting a special beach clean-up at Pak Nai on May 16 from 2pm to 4pm. A renowned scenic wetland and mangrove area on Hong Kong’s northwestern coast, Pak Nai features extensive mudflats and diverse marine life, including horseshoe crabs. The clean-up involves removing spartina (an invasive cord grass), aquaculture debris and litter. To sign up as a volunteer at the event, head to handsonhongkong.org. THE DOGTOR Andrew J. C. Spires, Around DB photographer, freelance marketing manager and dad to two, has published his first fully illustrated, read-aloud children’s book: The Dogtor. Aimed at kids aged 2 to 8, the story follows loveable Ruff the Dogtor Dog, who ‘cures’ kids’ bumps and boo-boos with a wag of his tail… and turns into a real hero during an emergency. The Dogtor is on sale at Bookazine and The Lion Rock Press – or you can get a signed copy with a personalised inscription at andrew-spires.com. A percentage of sales from each book goes to Ruff’s chosen charity Tails of Lantau, and there are special discounts available at Ohana veterinary clinic in Tin Hau for anyone who buys The Dogtor. TEDx YOUTH TALK Students at Discovery College are holding a TEDx Youth Talk on June 8 from 5pm to 7pm. The event, being held at the school’s ground floor theatre, is free and open to the whole community. This year’s theme is ‘Kaleidoscope’, and you can expect an exciting evening filled with stories, questions and bold ideas – the student speakers are eager to speak up, stand out and share their visions for the future. To register in advance, visit eventbrite.hk. WIND IN THE WILLOWS DB’s The Performer’s Studio Theatre Company – a semi-professional troupe of 30+ child actors led by director-producer Emma Tielus-Ward – is staging the Asian premier of a brand-new adaptation of Wind in the Willows on May 30 and 31 at Sheung Wan Civic Centre Theatre. The hit musical from the creator of Downton Abbey Julian Fellowes, and award-winning composerlyricist duo George Stiles and Anthony Drewe is known for its exuberant choreography and upbeat score. To book tickets, visit ticketflap.com. THE NEXT CHAPTER Every year, Island Dance chooses a different theme for its annual show. For this year’s production, The Next Chapter, teachers took inspiration from different book genres, ranging from children's books, to Shakespearian classics, contemporary fiction and non-fiction. You can catch The Next Chapter live on stage at Y-Theatre, Chai Wan on June 13 and 14, with 300 Island Dance performers (140 from DB). For tickets and to find out more, head to islanddance.com.hk, or WhatsApp 9159 0663. Fun! Family! Exercise! HOP INTO A DRAGON BOAT AND BECOME A SEA CUCUMBER TODAY! Looking for a fun way to get and stay fit while being part of a friendly community? One hour of paddling with the Sea Cukes burns more than 600 active calories while strengthening muscles all over your body, including your back, core, shoulders and legs. Who Are We? Founded in 2013 as a DB community team, our initial goal was simple: to have fun. Staying true to that purpose, we adopted the sea cucumber – the slowest-moving animal in the sea – as our proud mascot and symbol. As our love for dragon boating grew, so did our passion for racing. We started training year-round in 2015 in our own dragon boat and have won several trophies since. Our silverware is now proudly displayed in affiliated businesses across DB. "Still, we are a team of normal people with common goals: having fun, getting better at boating, and camaraderie,” founding members Susan and Todd Chipner say. What Do We Do? We train (almost) every Saturday and Sunday near Sam Pak Wan Beach in DB North. This makes us the only fully dedicated year-round dragon boat team in DB. Participation in training is voluntary but encouraged, as we take part in more than 10 races around Hong Kong each year. We have proudly represented the DB community in Stanley, Cheung Chau, Chai Wan, Sai Kung, Shatin, Lamma Island and Mui Wo among others, as well as at our ‘home race’ in DB in October. While we love competing, there's one thing we love even more – our inclusive community. We like to be social after training, enjoying a coffee or beverage of choice as we support each other with everything in and outside the boat, in true team and DB spirit. So if you're at least 18 years old and like fun and exercise, come as you are and join us in our boat and beyond.

AT THE 19TH DB EASTER EGG HUNT AND CARNIVAL Little chicks and bunnies had a cracking time at the DB Easter Egg Hunt and Carnival on April 3 and 4. Egg hunters aged three to 10 swarmed Tai Pak Beach before checking out the bouncy castles and game booths at DB South Plaza. [PHOTOS BY Andrew J. C. Spires.] WORLD ICE HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIPS As host of the 2026 IIHF World Ice Hockey Championships, DB Ice Rink was home to two major tournaments last month with six national teams competing in each. The Women’s World Championship ran through April 5, and the Men’s World Championship from April 13 to 19. [PHOTOS BY Andrew J. C. Spires.] AT A NATURE EXPLORATION WORKSHOP Residents gathered at Central Park on April 25 to take part in a fun and informative Nature Exploration Workshop. There was a treasure hunt, outdoor games and the opportunity to learn about DB’s biodiversity. [PHOTOS BY Andrew J. C. Spires.]

Proposals to introduce more taxis into DB have residents divided. While opinions differ, everyone wants to know if cabs are coming and when. Edward Szekeres reports PHOTOGRAPHY BY Andrew J.C. Spires Nowhere in Discovery Bay is safe – at least when it comes to chatting about taxis. You can’t escape the topic that seems to be on everyone’s mind: should there be more cabs in DB? Supporters and opponents are fully mobilised. Petitions, online polls and debates in group chats abound. Safety is sparring with convenience, accessibility is contrasted with DB’s low-traffic, pedestrian-first vibe. The taxi question first gained traction in March when new taxi stands cropped up across DB, seemingly unannounced and taking many by surprise. But the new taxi stands – unused for now – did not appear out of thin air. Hong Kong Resort Company Limited (HKR), DB’s sole and private developer, announced its plan to revoke DB’s current taxi-free zones and introduce four new taxi ranks in a notice dated January 2026. Under the present rules set in 2014, taxis are only allowed limited entry to DB North Plaza. The proposal aims to remove the restrictions and introduce new taxi stands near the Discovery Bay Fire Station, Peng Chau Ferry Pier, Discovery Bay Golf Club and the Discovery Bay Multi-recreation Centre, which is currently under construction. Cabs would be allowed to wait up to 60 minutes at these taxi stands and access villages with door-to-door pick-ups and drop-offs. In the January notice, HKR stated that it was responding to urgent transport needs of residents, with taxis becoming an indispensable mode of public transport for DB’s ageing population. The current limitations, the developer said, were highly inconvenient, with the lack of point-to-point public transport meaning people had to walk or transfer to local buses to reach their destinations. Optimising taxi services would come hand in hand with a comprehensive upgrade to road safety management, including an AI-powered surveillance system to monitor traffic violations, issuing warnings before referring cases to police. Additional security personnel would also be employed to strengthen enforcement against traffic violations, the notice read. Impromptu polls and discussions in DB community groups on social media reveal that the taxi plan is divisive, with strong opinions held on both sides, but many seem to favour a compromise. A DB Matters Facebook poll with roughly 500 responses from mid-March had close to 60% of votes cast in favour of restricted taxi access during late-night hours, with the rest of the votes nearly identically divided between full support and opposition to the plan. “I can see potential benefits, such as increasing the convenience for residents, especially in emergency medical situations,” one resident said in a discussion thread. “However, we also have some concerns [regarding road and neighbourhood safety] especially for our children and pets who enjoy running around freely.” “The current system isn’t working,” another resident said in a different thread. “Waiting 15 minutes for a bus just to reach the taxi stand, hauling luggage across DB, or finding no service at all after midnight – this is genuinely difficult for residents. It’s time for change. If done properly, with speed limits, designated pick-up zones and real enforcement, this could actually work. Convenience doesn’t necessarily mean chaos.” While these views reflect just a tiny snippet of the plethora of opinions expressed online and in various offline fora, they are indicative of the debate’s scope and significance to residents. At a Traffic and Transport Committee meeting under the Islands District Council on April 14, HKR representatives said that delegates from DB, Peng Chau and Nim Shue Wan had collected about 6,000 signatures backing the plan, adding that a public consultation conducted between February and March involving around 700 residents resulted in 87% of respondents supporting the proposal. Many residents, however, claim never to have heard of signatures being collected, nor of a public consultation. They say they didn’t spot the notice posted in January in a few areas of DB, including the ferry pier to Peng Chau and Mui Wo. “It’s just a little laminated sheet tied up with zip ties,” says 40-year resident Sophia Lau-Duehring. “Nobody was going to stop and read that.” As of late April, more than 2,000 people signed a change.org petition calling for a pause to the implementation of the taxi plan before a more comprehensive consultation lasting at least three months is conducted, ideally through a community-wide survey or vote. Those who signed the online petition say they want improvement through “targeted alternatives,” such as boosted late-night and early-morning public transport, enhanced hire cars, priority door-to-door transport for those in need and limited or conditional taxi access. Given the scale of the potential change and the fact that there was “no direct communication to households, no notices in building lobbies or noticeboards, and no public meetings to explain the proposal or invite questions,” the consultation process has been “inadequate and poorly communicated,” the petition reads. “Hong Kong Resort feels that they did a proper public consultation. But many people believe they didn’t,” says Dana Winograd, a DB resident of close to 30 years. “My biggest issue now is whether this is a safe idea. Safety should be the ultimate question before any other discussions go on as to whether we need to have it, whether we want to have it, and the details of it. All these things shouldn’t even be a question until we have assurances that the issue of safety has been addressed.” Replying to resident and media queries, the Transport Department, to which the petition requesting a halt to the taxi plan was submitted, confirmed it has received the taxi proposal and said local consultation is ongoing, with residents expressing mixed views. It then referred queries back to HKR. Dana’s concern over the authorities’ handling of the proposal prompted her to lodge a complaint with Hong Kong’s ombudsman in late March “to clarify what constituted the minimal standards or requirements for an acceptable public consultation”. She has yet to hear back. At the Traf fic and Transport Committee meeting on April 14, Islands District Councillor Jonathan Chow called for a full and transparent consultation covering all 17,000 DB residents, including all Village Owners’ Committees, before further action is taken. “Before we rush into lifting the taxi restriction, I strongly suggest the operator first fully enhance its existing hire car service,” Councillor Chow added. “If we truly care about the elderly and those with limited mobility, we should allow them to easily book a hire car to the existing taxi stand in DB North. We must address the needs of our elderly and make transport more convenient and accessible. But this must be done safely and with a proper public consultation.” In its notice from January, however, HKR stated that the community has been raising related demands for many years. The current plan is part of HKR’s DB2.0 blueprint that aims to introduce a series of strategic transport upgrades to ensure greater connectivity and a richer lifestyle within DB. “Ultimately, the debate is not so much about ease of access, safety, or emergency; it is a debate about the nature of the community,” Martin Sebena, lecturer in politics at the University of Hong Kong says. “Is it a family-friendly environment that prioritises safety over convenience, or is convenience paramount?” At the Islands District Council meeting in April, Councillor Chow pointed out that DB lacks traffic lights and designated crossings, raising concerns about pedestrian safety. He also warned of potential conflicts on narrow roads, as around 500 licensed golf carts whiz around the area. In response, HKR representatives said that a traffic impact assessment showed the area would have sufficient road capacity through 2037 even with full taxi access. The developer also said that, according to records from 2020 to 2025, there were about six minor traffic incidents involving taxis within DB per year, with no serious injuries or fatalities reported. Across Hong Kong, however, the taxi accident rate is on a sharp upward trajectory. The involvement rate of taxis in traffic accidents was 295 per 1,000 vehicles in 2023, considerably higher than that of 285 for franchised public buses and 192 for public light buses, according to official statistics from the Legislative Council Secretariat. HKR’s notice originally stated the plan to ease taxi restrictions would be implemented in the first quarter of 2026, and at the council meeting in April, representatives proposed a month-long introductory period from 9pm to 9am, followed immediately by full day-time access. But for now, the debate continues: the plan appears to be on hold, following strong public interest and requests for more open consultation.

Harvey Law Group delves into Vanuatu's Dual-Track Citizenship By Investment Program and reveals how it can lead to a second passport in just two months Vanuatu, an island nation in the South Pacific, operates one of the world’s fastest and most straightforward citizenship by investment (CBI) programs, offering a path to a second passport primarily through two channels: the Development Support Program (DSP) and, more recently, the Capital Investment Immigration Plan (CIIP). The program is grounded in the country’s Citizenship Act and related regulations, which authorise the government to grant citizenship in return for qualifying financial contributions to national development. For globally mobile investors, these options offer visa-free access to many countries, a tax-friendly environment, and a relatively quick processing timeline compared with many competing programs. While both DSP and CIIP ultimately lead to the same status of Vanuatu citizenship, they differ in structure, cost composition, and risk/return profile, which makes it essential to understand the nuances before choosing a route. DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT PROGRAM The Development Support Program is the primary and most established track within Vanuatu’s CBI framework. DSP is a donation-based option: investors make a non-refundable contribution to the government, which is then used to support infrastructure and other development priorities across the country. DSP remains one of the lowest-priced full citizenship options available globally. For illustration, minimum contribution levels under DSP are US$130,000 for a single applicant and US$180,000 for a family of four. The DSP process is also known for its speed and procedural clarity. Applicants first submit basic documents and pay a due diligence fee; if the precheck is successful, they receive an Approval in Principle from the Vanuatu Citizenship Commission within a matter of weeks. After final payment of the full donation, the authorities issue the citizenship certificate and passports, with total processing commonly quoted in the range of 45 to 60 days or roughly two to three months from start to finish. From a governance and predictability standpoint, DSP is seen as the ‘core’ state-managed programme. The government and Citizenship Commission directly oversee due diligence, approval and issuance of citizenship, which results in stable rules, clear timelines and less dependence on commercial project performance. This structure appeals to investors who prioritise certainty and simplicity over potential financial upside. CAPITAL INVESTMENT IMMIGRATION PLAN The Capital Investment Immigration Plan emerged as a complementary route that combines an element of donation with a defined investment component. Instead of purely donating the entire amount as per DSP, CIIP allocates a portion into a specific fund or project designated by the government, with the remainder treated as a nonrefundable contribution. A typical recent CIIP structure involves a contribution of about US$157,000 for a family of four. In this model, US$50,000 of this amount is invested into a fund such as the CNO Future Fund, a Vanuatu-based investment fund focusing on Vanuatu’s sustainable development objectives. Specifically, the CNO Future Fund aims to target investment into the coconut oil industry in aid of Vanuatu’s commitment to 100% renewable electricity generation. The CI IP structure is particularly advantageous as it includes a contractual commitment to return that US$50,000 to the investor after a holding period of five years. CIIP is thus positioned as a ‘donation plus investment’ route that reduces the net long-term cost of citizenship. As a result, CIIP is one of the most cost-effective, family-sized CBI options globally when considered over a multi-year horizon. PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR APPLICANTS Both DSP and CIIP grant the same end result: Vanuatu citizenship with an associated passport, offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to a substantial number of countries and territories, plus access to Vanuatu’s tax-friendly regime. Applicants must pass due diligence checks under both options, including background screening and source-of-funds verification, and both follow broadly similar steps: initial eligibility check, document submission, approval, full payment, oath (often administered remotely) and issuance of the citizenship certificate and passport. When selecting between DSP and CIIP, prospective applicants should evaluate several practical factors. First, budget and family size: for a single applicant, the DSP donation may compare favourably given its relatively low entry level and streamlined process, whereas for a family of three or four, CIIP’s partially refundable structure may lower the effective long-term cost if the investment is repaid as planned. Investors should carefully check the current operational status of each route, as authorities can amend, suspend, or relaunch specific program tracks in response to regulatory reviews, international pressure, or domestic policy needs. For individuals unsure of where to start or which program to go for, professional legal guidance is invaluable. Harvey Law Group, with over 30 years of experience in global residency and citizenship programs, is here to assist you in confirming your eligibility, preparing the necessary paperwork and guiding you through each step toward obtaining Vanuatu citizenship. Please contact us for advice.

Helper Appreciation Month turns small acts of thanks into a powerful community effort – offering foreign domestic helpers not only recognition but meaningful opportunities to connect, learn and feel valued. Martin Wray reports PHOTOGRAPHY BY Andrew J. C. Spires Appreciation satisfies a core human desire for belonging, validation and meaning, whether you're a CEO or one of Hong Kong's 370,000+ foreign domestic helpers, who form over 5% of our population. Coming from the Philippines, Indonesia, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand, these helpers support our families, while living far from their own, making community gratitude not just nice, but essential. For Discovery Bay residents XingNi Liu and Imee Macpherson, the current organisers of this May’s Helper Appreciation Month, the goal is twofold: to encourage community recognition of helper contributions and to facilitate fun experiences for helpers to enjoy. “What we're trying to do is to bring out more of the good stuff,” XingNi says. “Helpers take care of your home and children so that you can be at work on time.” May is an opportunity to celebrate their contributions. Steve Chitty launched Helper Appreciation Month in 2015 to bring together the DB community – individuals, families, schools, non-profits and businesses – to ensure that helpers felt appreciated and got to experience a series of informative and empowering free events. Past events attracted hundreds of helpers, with 2025's month featuring numerous different activities from yoga and football to beach tennis. Ideally, at some point during the month, each member of the community will find their own practical ways to acknowledge how helpers add to their lives. “Awareness of helpers’ working conditions, their sacrifices, their social and legal challenges, can (and should) be raised,” Steve says. “But Helper Appreciation Month is neither a protest, nor a political movement, nor an opportunity to cast blame. It is about raising the barometer of collective goodness and drawing out the best of willing people within the community.” May was chosen because the first is International Labour Day, the second Sunday is Mother's Day (and many helpers are away from their children on this day), and finally, because the fifteenth is the United Nations International Day of Families. Helpers are ideally an adopted part of our families, and it’s important to let them know we appreciate their work. XingNi emphasises, “Our helper Thelma is an essential part of our daily life. My husband has a fulltime job, my work is flexible, but I still have to be out and about a lot, and having Thelma takes my mind off scheduling. I trust my children in her hands – they are the most important thing in this world, so I can easily say there's nothing I don't trust Thelma with. I place the world into her hands, and that's why, without her, I wouldn't be able to work. It's as simple as that.” When asked what members of the community can do this month, Imee points out, “In May, every year, we give prompts. [We seek out community members] who already have established activities. And then we ask them if they can give us free sessions for helpers.” This year, the duo have already lined up football training with Tekkerz; touch rugby with DB Pirates’ coach Grant Abbott; Zumba with Arlyn, Dionina and Embody; strength training with Katy Day of Tita Fit; guitar and singing lessons with YRock’s Chris and Miriam; yoga with Myriam; nature art by Nerish Art Studio and a grand finale, beach tennis with Imee and Andrew on Tai Pak Beach. Helpers in DB and the surrounding districts are invited to visit the Facebook group (@helperappreciationmonth) to sign up for a class. “It's very exciting, you meet a lot of friends, and learn the sports they are teaching,” comments Jen Borja, a veteran of the sporting events. “Last year, I participated in Tekkerz football and beach tennis.” In previous years, it was Zumba and DB Dad Bods (DBDB); in 2024, Jen won her DBDB category. Sanie Dalaida concurs, “I participated for two years in YRock’s guitar and singing sessions. I wanted to learn how to play chords and strum while singing. Miriam is really good at singing, and I learned from her example. It was fun, we focused on learning but also having fun.” Sanie has gone on to perform with Unsung Heroes, a choir of helpers who sang at last year’s Clockenflap festival. Inspirations, XingNi implies, shouldn’t stop there. “Any vendor or service provider who sees this and wants to add on can contact us on Facebook, and we can still arrange it during the month.” Additionally, anyone can organise an in-house appreciation event. For example, you can provide workshops for helpers to mentor them in cooking, communication, finances, first aid, sewing and so forth. Or you can offer a venue, as Discovery Bay International School (DBIS) did last year in hosting YRock’s music lessons. If you are looking for ways to thank a helper in our community, regardless of your age, you can show appreciation with a handmade card or craft, an unexpected acknowledgement, or simply a respectful smile. Employers can encourage their helpers to join one or more of the Helper Appreciation Month activities or treat them to a restaurant meal. XingNi and Imee are mindful that, under Hong Kong law, helpers are entitled to just one rest day every seven days, and that, for most, this is a Sunday. Additionally, there is no set daily hour limit meaning, helpers often work long days (around 11 to 16 hours) because they live in the employer’s home and may be ‘on call’. For this reason, all classes scheduled this month are either on Sundays or in the early evening. Opportunities for helpers to have fun are not limited to May or DB. Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden (KFBG) hosts a popular free Sunday programme for migrant domestic workers every week, a public thankyou to helpers for their contributions in the form of a restorative escape into nature. Up to 100 helpers gather for yoga flows, Zentangle art sessions and treasure hunts in peaceful surroundings. It’s free, including bus pickups from Central and Kowloon and a vegan lunch. In February, the Li Ka Shing Foundation gave away 5,000 free Hong Kong Disneyland tickets to helpers, including transportation and lunch, up from 4,000 the previous year. Several other organisations offer cost-free, year-round programmes to helpers. Empower HK (empowerhongkong.com) inspires change through advocacy, creative storytelling workshops, arts programmes and community-building events. Enrich HK (enrichhk.org) delivers real-world financial money management workshops, career coaching and entrepreneurship training. Help for Domestic Workers (helpfordomesticworkers.org) offers counselling, rights education, emergency shelter, mental health support and pathways to community leadership roles. Uplifters (uplifters-edu.org) provides online courses on mental health, leadership skills and financial wellbeing. Splash Foundation (splashfoundation.org) runs free learn-to-swim classes at DBIS to build confidence in the water. DB Pirates (dbpirates.com) has an all-women’s touch rugby team for helpers, the Piratas, that meets at DB North Plaza pitch. Now in its eleventh year, Helper Appreciation Month has grown into a self-sustaining DB tradition, much like Breast Cancer Awareness Month or Movember. Organisers like XingNi and Imee keep it alive by rallying residents, schools and businesses to provide fun events that generate laughter, turning helpers from overlooked outsiders into recognised contributors. At its heart, DB thrives on activities and connections. A simple question or gesture can light up a helper’s day, proving that small acts of appreciation can build strong bonds. “Everybody, everybody has their own struggles, but a little appreciation goes a long way,” Imee concludes. “It makes the helper very happy that day, and that’s all we want.

Delve deep into the lives of Hong Kong’s foreign domestic helpers INGAT: EDITED BY YVONNE YU (2024) A powerful anthology of poetry, essays and short stories written by foreign domestic helpers, Ingat delivers personal reflections on everyday life in Hong Kong. Centred on themes of memory, identity, loneliness and resilience, the collection transforms lived experience into literature, while giving space to voices that are often overlooked. MAID TO ORDER: NICOLE CONSTABLE (1993) A clear, accessible study of helpers’ lives, Maid to Order in Hong Kong combines research with personal accounts that are as relevant today as they were in 1993. The interview-based narrative explores working conditions, relationships with employers and structural inequalities in a balanced, informative way. MY EXTRA-SPECIAL AUNTY: JOANNA BOWERS (2024) Told from a child’s perspective, My Extra-Special Aunty highlights the loving bond that is so often established between Hong Kong families and their helpers. The picture book celebrates the cultural diversity and creative talent within the helper community, complete with illustrations by Cristina Cayat and Noemi Caballero Manguerra. STRANGERS AT HOME: SO MEI CHI (2015) A poignant documentary-style photobook, pairing Rob Godden’s intimate images with So Mei-chi’s controlled prose, Strangers at Home reveals the quiet dislocation of Hong Kong’s helpers. Tender yet unsettling, it captures personal stories, and highlights the emotional cost of leaving family behind to live in someone else’s home. TALES FROM VICTORIA PARK: TODD CROWELL (2016) Tales from Victoria Park follows the lives of multiple Indonesian helpers through a collection of upbeat short stories focused on their Sunday gatherings, friendships and romances. At the same time, the narrative reveals how helpers are often overlooked – and that they only becoming ‘visible’ when they gather in public spaces on Sundays. THE EXPATRIATES: JANICE Y.K. LEE (2016) The Expatriates focuses on three American women living in Hong Kong who owe their privileged existence – at least in part – to their live-in help. The narrative explores the stark contrasts in lifestyle, revealing how the wealthy characters interact with, and often disregard, the helpers who take care of their children and homes.

The Land of Volcanoes REPORTING BY Elena M. Zepeda EL SALVADOR MAY BE THE SMALLEST country in Central America, but it’s big on character. With 20+ active volcanoes, surftastic beaches, historic centres and archaeological sites, the country is a gem to explore, offering plenty of variety and adventure. The newly gentrified capital, San Salvador, is an ideal place to stay, with all major destinations reachable by car. DOWNTOWN SAN SALVADOR is picturesque, safe and accessible. Drop by the National Theatre, a key cultural venue known for its French Renaissance-style architecture; the gleaming white Metropolitan Cathedral consecrated in 1999; and the National Library, which opened in 2023 and serves as a major public space, reflecting the country’s ongoing development. A PREMIER COASTAL TOURISM initiative, Surf City is known for its black sand, consistent waves and vibrant nightlife. The centre of the action is the former fishing village of El Tunco (Salvadorian slang for piglet), where the point breaks perform year-round, and you can swim out to the iconic pig-shaped rock just offshore. PICTURE-PERFECT SANTA ANA has a genteel, old-world vibe thanks to the wealth that poured in from local coffee plantations in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Visit the gleaming white, neo-Gothic Santa Ana Cathedral, and sample the rich, strong local brew – either in a plaza café or on a plantation tour in the surrounding hills. HIKING AND ADVENTURE HOTSPOT Puerta Del Diablo, aka the Devil’s Gate, gained its name because of the curious arched shape of the high rocks that form it. The site consists of three dramatic rock formations El Chulo, El Chulito and El Chulón (The Good Looking, The Cutie and The Impressive). You can hike up the rocks with a guide, and rappel down if you dare. MAYA CULTURE EXTENDED into the western and central parts of El Salvador, and its Mayan settlements date back over 4,000 years. Be sure to visit UNESCO World Heritage Site Joya de Cerén, a farming village buried by volcanic ash, and Tazumal, a major, longinhabited settlement (100 to 1,200 AD) known for its 24m-high pyramids and sophisticated ceremonial structures. VOLCANIC ILAMATEPEC El Salvador’s highest peak, at 2,381m, affords ‘challenging-but-worth it’, expertly guided hikes through coffee plantations, cloud forest and rocky volcanic terrain. At the summit, you can look down on a vivid turquoise crater lake – enticing as it looks, it’s highly acidic and the sulphur-rich water can reach near-boiling temperatures. Don’t dive in!