Paris (香港在家教育學生) 的故事：RISE 精神如何成為回饋社會的力量泉源

HSA願景與使命：RISE！

RISE是「香港在家教育協會」的核心理念，代表：

Resilience 逆境中茁壯

Integrity 以誠待人，以信立身

Service 懷抱目標地貢獻社群

Empowerment 透過教育賦能，協助非主流學生重建學習信心，邁向自我實現之路

Paris (香港在家教育學生) 的故事：RISE 精神如何成為回饋社會的力量泉源

八年前，Paris(賴博士的女兒)是本地學校的小學四年級學生。每天放學回家，她都感到痛苦與情緒上的疏離。主流教育體制的僵化結構讓她感到被忽視、被遺忘。有一次Paris勇敢寫了一封充滿真情的信給母親，請求在家教育。

賴博士選擇傾聽——而她的選擇是明智的。她的行動展現了對教育與人生真正價值的深刻理解。她：

1. 同理與勇氣的傾聽 

以同理心與勇氣聆聽Paris的聲音，即使這挑戰了社會既有的規範與期望。賴博士選擇將女兒的幸福與心理健康作為首要考量。她們共同創立了GlobalHomeEdu，一套融合在家教育、世界教育與生命教育的轉化性課程。在15歲時，Paris從在家教育順利過渡至香港理工大學——不僅學術上準備充分，更展現出因教育中植根於幸福與自我探索而培養出的喜悅與情緒韌性。

2. 賦能學習與生活的主導權 

賦能Paris完全掌控自己學習與生活的權力，培養了她的獨立性、自信、逆境中重新振作的能力與自我領導力。賴博士隨後實踐了在家教育領導的最終階段：授權。從大學第二天起，Paris便開始全權負責自己的學業與生活。如今，Paris已是大學最後一年學生, Paris積極參與HSA社群的建設——重新設計協會標誌與網站，並共同撰寫RISE使命宣言。Paris正在崛起 (RISE) 回饋社會。

3. 重新定義成功 

賴博士將成功的定義從成績與考試延伸至情緒健康、人生使命與真誠的喜悅，作為教育的核心成果。

4. 創造教育的替代方案 

賴博士為Paris量身打造了一套轉化性的教育替代方案，符合她的獨特需求、價值觀與志向——證明教育絕非一體適用。

更深層的訊息

Paris的轉變 (從情緒疏離的學生到充滿力量的貢獻者) 是當我們將學生福祉放在首位時所能實現的真實例證。這是一個對家長的呼籲：多傾聽、多調整、多關懷。

深刻反思：如果沒有人願意傾聽？

如果賴博士當初忽視了Paris的請求，結果可能會截然不同! 如同許多被困在忽視情緒需求的教育體制中的學生，Paris可能會繼續壓抑自己的痛苦——而這條路往往通向抑鬱、焦慮，甚至更糟的結局。

這不是假設性的擔憂，而是一場社會危機。

在香港，學生自殺問題令人深感憂慮。根據香港大學自殺研究與預防中心的報告，專家呼籲學校應成為「快樂的地方」，以減少學生的焦慮與情緒困擾。此外，《南華早報》最近一項報導指出，過去五年中，香港超過九成的學生自殺個案涉及12歲以上的青少年，其主因包括心理健康不佳、學業壓力與人際關係問題。

HSA Vision & Mission: RISE!

RISE — to grow with Resilience, live with Integrity, serve with Purpose, and be Empowered to thrive in society.

The Story of Paris( a former homeschool student in Hong Kong) : How the Spirit of RISE Became a Source of Power for Giving Back to Society

Eight years ago, Paris — daughter of Dr. Lai — was a Primary 4 student in a local school. Each day, she returned home burdened by unhappiness and emotional disengagement. The rigid structure of the mainstream system left her feeling unseen and unheard. In a courageous act of self-advocacy, Paris wrote a heartfelt letter to her mother, asking to be homeschooled.

Dr. Lai chose to listen — and she chose wisely. Her actions reflected a deep understanding of what truly matters in education and in life. She:

1. Listening with Empathy and Courage

Heard Paris’s voice with empathy and courage, even when it challenged conventional norms and expectations. Dr. Lai chose to prioritize her daughter’s happiness over conformity. Together, they co-created GlobalHomeEdu, a transformative curriculum that blended homeschooling, worldschooling, and life education. At age 15, Paris transitioned from homeschool to the Hong Kong Polytechnic University — not just academically prepared, but radiating the joy and emotional strength that grew from an education rooted in happiness and self-discovery.

2.  Empowering Ownership and Responsibility

Empowered Paris to take full ownership of her learning and life, fostering independence, confidence, stand-up ability and self-leadership. Dr. Lai then applied the final stage of homeschool leadership: delegation. From day two of university, Paris took full responsibility for her studies and life. Today, Paris is in her final year, thriving not only as a student but as a contributor to the HSA community — redesigning its logo, website, and co-authoring the RISE mission. Paris is rising to give back to society and make a positive social impact in Hong Kong, using her journey to inspire and uplift others who feel unseen or unheard in traditional education systems.

3. Redefining Success

Redefined success beyond grades and exams, embracing emotional well-being, personal purpose, and authentic joy as essential outcomes,   

4. Creating Alternatives

Created a transformative alternative to mainstream education, tailored to Paris’s unique needs, values, and aspirations — proving that one size does not fit all

The Bigger Message

Paris’s transformation — from disengaged student to empowered leader — is a living example of what happens when we put student well-being first. It’s a call to educators and parents to listen more, adapt more, and care more. In a time when student mental health is a growing crisis, this story offers hope and a roadmap for change.

A Critical Reflection: What If No One Had Listened?

Had Dr. Lai dismissed Paris’s plea, the outcome could have been tragically different. Like many students trapped in systems that ignore their emotional needs, Paris might have continued suppressing her distress — a path that too often leads to depression, anxiety, or worse.

This is not a hypothetical fear. It is a pressing social concern that demands our attention and compassion.

In Hong Kong, student suicide remains a deeply concerning issue. According to the Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention at the University of Hong Kong, experts have urged schools to become “a happy place” to reduce anxiety and emotional distress. Additionally, a recent report from the South China Morning Post revealed that over 90% of student suicides in Hong Kong over the past five years involved youth aged 12 and above, with contributing factors including poor mental health, academic pressure, and negative interpersonal relationships.

Written By Dr. Lai Mei Kei Vivien