Presidential Welcome Speech for HSA.HK
Welcome to HSA.HK—Where Vision Flows Like Water

Dr. Lai Mei Kei Vivien (Founder of the Hong Kong Homeschool Association)

Ladies and gentlemen, educators, parents, and leaders from around the world,

It is with profound honor and heartfelt conviction that I welcome you to HSA.HK—the official home of a movement that began not in boardrooms or institutions, but in the quiet, courageous decision of a mother to homeschool her child.

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My story began with Paris, my daughter. In Hong Kong, where academic achievement is often equated with conformity and where traditional schooling dominates, choosing to homeschool was quietly radical. It was an act of defiance against a rigid education system—a bold step away from societal expectations and toward a more intentional, child-centered path. In a struggle against the social norm, I joined a stealth culture of homeschooling families—parents who dared to believe in a different way.

“I chose this,” I reflect, “not because it was easy, but because it was right for my daughter.” What unfolded was far more than a curriculum—it was a revelation. In the quiet moments of learning, in the shared discoveries and emotional tides, I unearthed a philosophy that would ripple far beyond our home.

The Waterway Journey — A Flow of Purpose and Grace

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1. Koi Mum

The soul of my homeschooling journey with Paris is the Koi Mum model—a philosophy born from love, resilience, and reflection. Inspired by the Chinese legend of koi fish swimming upstream, it symbolizes a mother who leads not by force, but by example. Through emotional attunement, cultural wisdom, and a growth mindset, I guided Paris with grace and unwavering strength.

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2. Waterway Parenting

From this journey emerged Waterway Parenting—a nurturing philosophy that honors the emotional depth, individuality, and natural flow of every child. It is parenting not by control, but by companionship. Not by force, but by fluidity.

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3. The Hong Kong Educational Pendulum

Expanding my perspective on Hong Kong’s educational landscape, I introduced the Hong Kong Educational Pendulum Theory—a framework that captures the tension between two extremes. On one end lies pressure, burnout, and rote memorization; on the other, freedom, joy, and self-exploration. Koi Mum parenting finds its strength at the pendulum’s center—where achievement is not sacrificed for well-being, and emotional resilience becomes the foundation for lifelong success.

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4. The Birth of 慧舍樂 (WisdomJoy): A Positive Parenting Philosophy

In the quiet rhythm of homeschooling Paris, I discovered that parenting is not merely about teaching—it’s about transformation. From this intentional journey, 慧舍樂 (Huì shě lè) was born: a philosophy that reimagines positive parenting through the lens of wisdom, detachment, and joy.

•            慧 (Wisdom): Cultivating deep understanding and insight.

•            舍 (Detachment): Letting go of rigid expectations to foster autonomy.

•            樂 (Joy): Embracing happiness and fulfillment throughout the parenting journey.

Rooted in Buddhist teachings, 慧舍樂 guides families toward emotional clarity, simplicity, and wellness. It teaches children when to hold on—and when to let go. It empowers parents to parent with equilibrium, where love is intentional, boundaries are healthy, and joy is preserved.

5. Waterway Homeschool Leadership

At the heart of homeschooling, I founded Waterway Homeschool Leadership—a golden path for families who choose to guide their children through learning with purpose and grace. It is a call to parents to become architects of character, not just instructors of content.

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6. Waterway Leadership

As Paris grew, so did my vision and the wisdom that flowed from it. I came to understand that the same principles that shaped Waterway Parenting and Waterway Homeschool Leadership—empathy, social responsibility, knowledge-sharing, volunteerism, adaptability, and a deep commitment to meaningful impact—could transform the way we lead across all spheres of life.

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And so, Waterway Leadership was born: a model rooted in clarity, compassion, integrity, and courage. It is leadership that flows, not floods. That listens before it speaks. That uplifts rather than commands.

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Waterway Leadership is not merely about guiding teams or shaping policies. It’s about building resilient homeschool infrastructure from the ground up, empowering families through transformational leadership, and giving back with purpose. It’s about transferring knowledge to uplift the homeschool community and out-of-school students, opening doors for underserved families, and cultivating a culture of service.

This is leadership that nourishes society like a river—quietly, persistently, and generously—carving paths of hope, equity, and transformation wherever it flows.

These three Waterway frameworks—Parenting, Homeschool Leadership, and Leadership—are not separate streams. They are one waterway. A living system. A philosophy that flows through every relationship, every decision, every moment of growth.

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As the founder of the Hong Kong Homeschool Association, and the creator of Waterway Parenting, Waterway Leadership, Waterway Homeschool Leadership, 慧舍樂 (WisdomJoy), 鯉媽 Koi Mum, and The Hong Kong Educational Pendulum, I warmly invite you to explore these transformative philosophies in positive parenting and homeschooling. Engage with our resources, connect with like-minded families, and become part of a community that believes in:

•            Guiding — not pushing

•            Shaping — not forcing

•            Flowing — not flooding

Together, we can raise children with emotional clarity, lead with purpose, and build a future rooted in balance, resilience, and joy.

Paris’s journey became my awakening. And now, it is yours to follow, adapt, and share.

Welcome to the Waterway. Welcome to HSA.HK.

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© Dr. Lai Mei Kei Vivien. All rights reserved.

鯉媽 Koi Mum, Waterway Parenting philosophy, The Waterway Leadership, The Waterway Homeschool Leadership, 慧舍樂 (WisdomDetachJoy), and the Hong Kong Educational Pendulum Theory were originally created by Dr. Lai Mei Kei Vivien and may not be reproduced or adapted in any form without prior written authorization.

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