“WHERE HOPE BEGINS” Lives and stories by Mayaa in Hong Kong & Nepal

About the exhibition “Where Hope Begins” brings together a selection of photographs taken by Sophie Bonnin-Rocher within the communities supported by Mayaa. 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. Beyond bearing witness, the exhibition aims to create connection: between Hong Kong, where Mayaa also supports underprivileged children, and Nepal, where Mayaa has been supporting families for over a decade. One common thread runs through the entire exhibition: education as the turning point to break the cycle of poverty. About Mayaa World 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 (20% of the under-15 population lived below the poverty line in 2024*), 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. * “Hong Kong Poverty Report 2024” — Oxfam Motto: “Offer a meal to a child and you give them a smile. Offer an EDUCATION and you give them a FUTURE.” About the photographer: Sophie Bonnin-Rocher 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 to portraiture, with a particular focus on impact-driven initiatives. For Where Hope Begins, Sophie first immersed herself in Mayaa World’s work to understand the essence of the project, the organisation’s long-term relationships with families in Hong Kong and Nepal, and the practical realities shaping children’s access to education. This led her to choose to document the children in their homes. The spaces where homework is done, where challenges are lived, and where resilience takes shape. Thanks to the trust built over years by Mayaa’s team, school directors and social workers, the families agreed to open their doors. Accompanied by members of the organisation, Sophie aimed to create a climate of ease that allowed her to capture moments that felt truthful, images the families themselves would recognise and feel comfortable seeing. “My work is often marked by enthusiasm, warmth and visible joy. Yet here, I was entering spaces shaped by hardship. My intention was to portray dignity, resilience and hope without inviting pity, which is at the heart of Mayaa’s work. To connect rather than dramatise, and to honour the trust of families who opened their homes to me. These images are the result of genuine encounters. I hope they reflect both the complexity of each story and the strength made possible by Mayaa’s long-term support in encouraging education and providing emotional guidance.”