Collecting for rent in pricey Hong Kong, one cardboard box at a time

[@ariegirl0419]

My mom is 78 now..i can't imagine her doing that at that age..hope one of her children will take care of her..it's breaking my heart seeing old people living like this

[@juniorcolada3026]

@Ivan Magnusson she mean this old woman in this video dude

[@_Wai_Wai_]

my mom is 76. she is retired, and living in NYC. with public housing and Social Security.

[@simonlee498]

@Susan Ananda the rich and powerful care in L. A about the homeless, actors, actresses, politicians any one? Trump?

[@chickendinner2482]

Im sorry but hk is not rich cant pay their living

[@MrMannyhw]

My grandma used to do that all the time in her 50s. She make extra money then invests the money. She pretty loaded.

[@hmwoof6272]

This is so sad! At age 79, you should be able to enjoy your retirement and do whatever you desire before the end of life. This poor lady has to wake up early everyday to go pickup used cardboards for money to pay rent, the government needs to step up to help the elderly. And shame on her children for abandoning her, this is heartbreaking!

[@archaicnymph2977]

@SprinklesCakebottom It is Chinese culture to take care of parents.

[@hughjazz5608]

How can someone live knowing their mother is living like that, I just can't fathom it

[@EnchinadosGaming]

@SprinklesCakebottom parents will spend their hard earned money to take care of their children, isn't the right thing for the children to do the same with their parents when they are old? At least give the money back

[@Evili555]

ZeroOscuro most students in Hong Kong are struggling as hard as her, can’t help if you can’t help yourself first

[@Lucy0809]

She may have been awful to the children

[@THEMASKFHC]

It's so inspiring to see her carry on everyday of life with a smile on her face, for all of us whom are privileged enough to have a comfortable life, we should be thankful for what we have and if we ever have the opportunity, try to help others, whom may not be so fortunate.

[@HardeepSIngh-bu2zn]

agree

[@JenGM24]

😢😢😢

[@jeangian1781]

THEMASKFHC Are you serious? Look at her hunch back. Is it easy for her to do such a job? Is she suffering in pain? Does anyone bother to find out the truth? HK people want to have ‘face’. They want to appear good despite their difficulties.

[@chickendinner2482]

Young people in 1970 work in construction site. 2020 young people throw petrol bomb to earn easy money.

[@BigDreamCosplay]

I can't help but watch this and be reminded of my own grandmother. I should really go visit her more often. Starting today I'll try my best to see her atleast once a week.

[@rahul.83]

Great decision. Now don't forget it like we do to our New Year resolutions.

[@dds2839]

Hope you are visiting your grandmother

[@miyukiiuu5325]

Ya still visiting ur grandparents?

[@BigDreamCosplay]

I’ve been visiting every 2 weeks and At least a quick phone call everyday!

[@faizmuhamad8666]

my heart burst after watching this. May Popo Dai Mui always bless in her whole life.

[@dannyl488]

You actually see quite a lot of elderly people doing that in HK, I’m always wondered why.. The smile on her face is really healing, always carry a positive view in life!

[@formula1340]

High cost of living.

[@davidtea3850]

After watching this video, nothing changed in HK. Gap between poor and rich is getting bigger. In 1999, I saw elders cleaning in McDonald’s, pushing carts full of papers for recycling. In 2006, more poor elders are still working and it’s still a heartbreak seeing them. In year 2014, this video is made by SCMP reporters. Nothing changed again. Main questions remain: why children do not help their parents ? (Maybe they don’t know or can’t also) why the government cannot help elders ? Government can afford to pay legco members from 65000 HK$ to 193000 HK$ per month!! Maybe it’s time to increase tax to decrease poverty ... but HK is scared to loose its place in Financial world. HK is still a tax haven with 10% of income tax! What’s next after 2018?

[@kmwu8702]

Because the Hong Kong Government is useless, they are spending HongKonger's money on projects that won't benefit HongKonger, they just do whatever Beijing want... 🖕🖕🖕🖕

[@pressfinchat]

2020 happened.

[@Evili555]

Democracy in Hong Kong equals more wage gap because there are no regulations. Soon everyone in Hong Kong will be chanting like the Bolsheviks

[@DigitalDistortion]

OMG that poor woman. She works so hard. I was just complaining about some stupid, petty inconvenience the other day and she has to sell cardboard to pay her rent. I feel ashamed.

[@call2872]

Why is life in Hong Kong so sad? Every time a documentary about HK pops up, it's always sad. Really heartbreaking to see an elderly woman had to worry about losing the roof over her head.

[@driven_by_insanity]

yeah it's depressing in hk,the happy index should be higher than Afghanistan

[@Steven-xf8mz]

that's the thing about having kids, they're just an expense, not an investment. all the love she invested = sunk fund. Her kids could easily take her in, even if it meant sleeping in the living room. It's not like she eats much. the assistance she get from the govt may help out with food expense anyway....

[@KingOfHeartsgg]

they probably cant in all actuality. The grandma's apartment looks much larger than average than most places in hk.The children are probably scraping by as well in an even more cramped living space. you should look into cage homes :/

[@yumiru1515]

One thing that bugs my mind is where are her children and why aren’t they taking care of her? I know it’s not the responsibility of her children but goodness. Can’t they see the status of their mother living alone? 😥

[@usarmy3111]

Tears in my eyes watching this video. How can i reach out and help this grandma out?

[@sarahjones-jf4pr]

Send her some cash.

[@GeorgiaAndrea]

@@sarahjones-jf4pr you didn’t understand his question

[@taebaek]

Thank you for reporting this...makes me realize how lucky I am, thank you for making my day, I will start a website, and share your video, God Bless you all, peace from China.

[@tahirkleem788]

My mum just recently passed away I can't even imagine to leave her alone like this please Hong Kong people love your parents😭😭😭

[@FSXNOOB]

Sad story, strong old lady..

[@freeworld88888]

Not sad, she is fine, she could ask for government help, but she has chosen not to. she is totally full-fledged.

[@macbeth642]

@@freeworld88888 shes not fine shes 80 and doing manual labor everyday for literally crumbs, that is not” fine” TF.

[@JustMarty]

The irony being her staying so active will likely prolong her life. Elders who keep working live much longer on average than ones who retire.

[@moviewatcher1024]

Where are her kids? They do not even take care of their mom?

[@myfairyjinani1602]

opjoipopikopp[pl[p[ i bet that her son and daughter are busy making their own life,,Its so common in hk,if you have much money,taking care of your parents is not a big deal,but when you have a little living expense and have your own family,they would never care much about their parents,,its just the society and the situation that make them like that,,its sad but its reality,,and this keep continue

[@李義-j2t]

common to elderly, for them all of these are just exercise and extra money

[@sheldontan3804]

LMAO ignorance at its best

[@helene7672]

@@myfairyjinani1602 i

[@歐悠-y1n]

A lot of parents in Asia would rather die than put that kind of burden on their kids, so I'm going to give them the benefit of the doubt and say that they were just unaware of that

[@armchairwomanmao2922]

I blame her CHILDREN for abandoning their elderly mother ultimately.

[@_Mxy]

Are there any updates please on this wonderful woman? If we could reach her, I'm sure many of us here would be more than willing to donate and help...

[@gunstax7077]

Very sad to see how family abandons their own. The older generation is much tougher and does what is needed to survive

[@DISTER141]

That's why I urge people not to move to HK!

[@李義-j2t]

Depends la

[@crxtora3080]

When she said tomorrow, she might die. That broke my heart

[@k111kl]

This must give her a sense of purpose and keeps her physically strong. But why aren’t her kids helping her?

[@HansLotap]

There are so many cases like this. They are already old but still needs to work and couldnt even enjoy life til their last breath. Makes me cry to know things like this exist. :'(

[@lychee57]

It breaks my heart to see the elderly work like that. Where’s the children?

[@kirijones3778]

Dam I will never complain of my situation. My kids are selfish too, I do everything by myself no help from them. Disgusting some families that they let the elderly live like this.

[@myonline88]

But at least she's got a nice home. Me, I could barely afford a nice apartment and I have 2 teaching jobs in two colleges. Life's mystery sometimes unfair. I admire this woman for her strength. Few people work at her age, still useful to society. Jobless people in my country are the ones with plenty of children and often demands from the government to help them, complains if not helped.

[@HP-mp9wq]

Her eyes look so kind and loving

[@sukiemo6360]

The lady has a daughter and a son and she's collecting cardboard on the street. If she raised a dog would tribute her some warmth.

[@yuenhai]

Young people in HK: complains about houses being unaffordable Also young people in HK: refuse to live with their parents even if they can share housing costs doing so

[@funofboredom]

Houses in HK are very small. How do you start a family and live with your parents in a small cramped apartment?

[@coolblue1812]

Lover of self, lawlessness is everywhere....as prophesied in Scripture.

[@agoshleemz]

Indeed

[@hirokai525]

my heart breaks so much when I see the elderly having to go through hard labor just to survive.. what kind of humans are we to allow this to happen? This is a very hardworking, kind woman who pushes hard just to survive. She does not do anything malicious or illegal. no drug use or bad intent. She just wants to live the reminder of her life. We as humans, as a society have failed so miserably after hundreds of years.

[@rahul.83]

That's what Capitalism and Consumerism does it to us.

[@aaronwilson6827]

It reminds me of my grandma.It really breaks my heart.😭

[@hunter21331]

Mean while many fat Americans who goes to walmart using food stamps

[@lenyanagi1858]

I wish she was my grandma. I'd take care of her

[@roberto2238]

She don't need to be your Grandma if u sincerely want to take care of her.

[@jellyciouspudding3347]

Act speak louder than word

[@feliciaxie]

you have a diamond heart 😢❤️

[@monkemonke9048]

She don’t need to be yo grandma to take care of her

[@JenGM24]

I would never, i repeat never walk/past by someone that age without offering my help, when shes struggling trying to go down some stairs or step on a bus😡😡😡 that's why that country is doomed!!.

[@chelseynathania1213]

Agree

[@SoundsBySteph]

Thank you for sharing, SCMP. This was very touching, and reminds all of us that we are very privileged to be living in costly HK.

[@trinhk]

I'm sadden to see seniors having to go through life like this with no family, and all alone. Very disheartening to see.

[@jeffowen7156]

People escaped the hardship in China 70 years ago, little did they know what’s waiting for them in glamorous Hong Kong. Hong Kong is a city I visited many times, I really like it. But seeing what Hong Kong is doing to its elderly and its young, it’s making me have second thoughts. Best wishes for the lady in the video, hope she is faring well in COVID 2020.

[@heman2733]

I would rather die than let my mother in that situation

[@omery.8342]

Hope god give you a long and happy life grandma, you are amazing ! Best regards from turkey 💙

[@albertlee7748]

It's the same sad story in Singapore where poorer seniors clean and tidy up after dinners at food centers, c lean toilets and also collect recyled items to earn a living to scrape by in expensive city state. There seems to solutions in sight. It's same story in Singapore where poorer seniors does this sort of tasks besides cleaning after a dinners at food centers,cleaning floors and toilets. They have no choice but earn some money to tie over in expensive city state where cost of living soars like a rocket.

[@dhanashrimatondkar3008]

I'm reminded of the old uncles and aunties I see everyday here in Singapore... my heart breaks everytime

[@ekawidodo4309]

nobody helps her? she goes down the stairs with one hand holding the troley ... I wonder why her daughter doesn't take care of her 😖 i wish her well 🙏

[@ChuiStrong]

In HK, a large number of people see elderly as pests that don't belong in regular society... That includes handicaps and disabled persons. So it's not uncommon for people to just ignore them.. I once traveled to HK with my mom who is wheelchair bound. Trying to catch an MTR elevator, some singular dude on his cell phone rushed to the elevator and closed the door before our eyes.

[@HotPepperLala]

Handicap and disabled yes, but old ppl? I doubt it.

[@Landshark2020]

This woman is amazing!! I hope she is doing well!!

[@signumxmagnum]

She's just like my grandma. However my grandma was fortunate enough to be with her children and grandchildren. It's so sad in the city so rich, there are many old people living like this.

[@Iam-me]

Lucky she s still healthy...n in the street or subway n bus. Nobody help her. Im so lucky. I live in New York, usa. Ppl help each other

[@helene7672]

Heart wrenching...

[@SnkrsandCards]

The sad part is why isn't the son and daughter helping their mom. That's so F up.

[@rekt651]

IKR!

[@Fruitarian.]

Her children doesnt give her some financial support?

[@chelseacarter3374]

She should be taken care of!! If I could, I'd pay her rent for a few months to help her, so she could relax for even a little bit!!😥😑

[@noman266]

So sad, I couldn't even finish watching it..

[@HansumRob100]

That's sad they lift their mum alone...I looked after my dad til he passed... what we kids forget is the love and care our parents give us til we grow...why can't we return the love n care...

[@jagkaur2473]

For HK to not help out the elderly is terrible. This lady is incredible xxxxxxx

[@jessicasingh4594]

omggggggggggggggg she deserves so much better......everyone is selfish these days, I hope she is happier ❤

[@robalston590]

Hong kong prides itself on low taxation, but you need taxes to help the elderly. This woman shouldn't be forced to work so hard for so little..a 5% increase in taxes could really help people like her

[@nikosv8166]

my goodness this stuff is so sad - is this how hong kong treats its elderly? shocking

[@lanceblank3018]

Nikos V yes it is the government is horrible ever since 97 when china took back over. under British rule you would never see homeless people. after 97 china took back over they release 100000 of china immigrants to HK per day over populating the city, jobs, hospital, school, transportation, housing!

[@humanbeing2722]

Kevin Ching Duh there's a lot of homelessness in the uk

[@lanceblank3018]

@@humanbeing2722 wtf does that have to do with the situation in hk please stop making yourself look stupid

[@aphw2000]

bullsh*t ! So you are telling me all those street sleepers whole live under road bridges before the handover are not homeless people ?

[@georgewong6615]

@@lanceblank3018 there's a lot homeless in California too.

[@yun7065]

This is heartbreaking. Poor woman. No one even offered her help to carrying stuff for her. The least I could do is wish her well

[@Natalie-fd2uo]

her voice is so calming and soothing😊

[@doubleozer0]

I’m never complaining about work again

[@sarahjones-jf4pr]

SHE IS A BEAUTIFUL TOUGH WOMAN AND REALLY FIT,ABOUT THE ONLY CONSOLATION FOR A 79YEAR OLD WOMAN LIVING LIKE THIS.

[@brybry4795]

Breaks my heart. Poor lady. Her kids should be taking care of her! 🙁

[@svongsa]

What a sad story, I wish her the best.

[@redmind4124]

This is heartbreaking 💔

[@2yogz]

Whilst there would be some genuine claimants, but otherwise a lot of Britain's young, able-to-do but lazy benefit claimants need to see this. I was once trying to help someone get a job where I worked, and I got told they are not interested as it will affect their benefit payments.

[@daveheel]

what a tough living for someone her age. all for $6 or $7 US dollars? people her age in the US live it up in retirement.

[@wulung5943]

I was shocked to see elderly people collecting cardboard late at night in 1978 in Hong Kong. Shocked that it is still like that in 2020. The Hong Kong government should consider lowering the rent for elderly people.

[@ninaz.466]

2509 HKD= $320. Shit, I’d pay her rent for her every month so she doesn’t have to keep doing this everyday :’(

[@vincenttan6303]

the hardest thing isn't picking up cardboards mindlessly; it is to be at peace with your fate and to lose any other hope, to accept the fact our lives have amounted to this finale. Did I lead it meaningfully, or is it filled with regrets. That's the greatest pain.

[@neveseven734]

All of that for $60 Hong Kong Dollars = less than $8.00 USD. That’s about 1 hours of minimum wage.

[@MrPowerlogistics]

So sad to watch this. Under the current turmoil in HK, her life probably even worse! Shame on HK!

[@wh2681]

Does someone know how she's doing now?

[@jackbauer6747]

Her last sentence in this video is so sad...can't imagine what happen to her if she got sick

[@laltanpuiiralte3526]

What the point of having kids i wonder why her children didnot take care of her i m really feel sorry for her.

[@breezep.7693]

I did the math and there is no way she can pay her rent with the old age government money and the money from selling cardboard and newspaper.

[@TheRolling123]

Im very dissapointed at her children for not helping their mother out

[@reeseyme9613]

sad part is not collecting newspaper and cardboard boxes at the age but having worry for the basic necessity at that age and in hongkong it just makes things worse.

[@_r_i_z_k_i_a_p_u_t_r_i_]

Her kids have to take care of her well, she deserves to get the best time of her old age instead to collecting those things everyday.

[@yung419]

Seeing this really breaks my heart I don't care how bad Ur parents treated u u should always take care of them shame on the kids who just dipped on their ma like that wouldn't wish this on anyone

[@jaydencch]

They are our heroes. Recycling the cardboards we throw.

[@ViewByRay]

My heart hurts when i see this. Where is the chinese tradition children look after parents ?

[@oliverroses]

This is heartbreaking 💔😢

[@TheNesianscribe]

Sad...heartbreaking! She should be taking it easy, playing with her grandkids, enjoying her twilight years with the sun on her face, not carting newspapers and cardboard up and down the streets! Where are her kids? This makes me so mad! She puts some young ones to shame eith her work ethics and sprightliness! Hong Kong is so rich - HELP YOUR POOR AND ELDERLY!!

[@jaguarilike2210]

Behind all that glittery and shiny hong kong skyline, nobody is asking why are people whether old or young living in such dire situations?

[@TESkyrimizer]

But houses in HK are super expensive. She should move to a smaller apartment if its just by herself, you know.

[@chickendinner2482]

Young people in 1970 work in construction site. 2020 young people throw petrol bomb to earn easy money.

[@VictoriaStobbie]

I hope she's doing well.

[@cindytan7175]

So sad for her. Already so old and yet she still have to work hard to pay for her rent. Her kids are good for nothing not even helping their own mother.

[@marcolau4494]

We all need to put in more of an effort next time we see these ladies on the street collecting cardboard and newspaper! Please offer them some water or money, or even offer to help them carry or push the cart, even if its just for a small distance. Every little bit of effort counts! they need to know that us younger generations have not forgotten about them and that they are important to us and they still matter! Let them know that we do care!!

[@KJ_2020]

Honestly her apartment looks big for HK. Surely there ought to be a scheme where she can swap with a young family and get reduced rent

[@bapaoperang2667]

how are you now auntie? i hope you doing fine at this kind of pandemic. gbu

[@goog01]

It is real sad that the son and daughter do nothing about their mom.

[@louroaloysius1922]

It's heart breaking,

[@ralphng3332]

Playing sound music to make it dramatic huh to get ratings. Continue doing the stuff you do if you think you live with a conscience. It's not necessary. Don't walk the talk. Just do something about it instead of taking advantage of people's stories to make profits. Journalism is not meant for entertainment but for making the gov't accountable for these problems in the first place. Don't just be a bystander.

[@gavinhuang4521]

If this is a common thing in having kids in Hong Kong and them abandoning you when you are old. Then i guess it's easier not to have kids.

[@aedrianaiman8328]

her place is huge for HK standards

[@queshalicious]

Her rent in US dollars is super cheap. Her two children can’t put money together every month to pay her rent? So sad.

[@billnyethenazispy3508]

I honestly feel bad.

[@miresly777777]

😭😭😭I wish I was a billionaire I swear I would find a way to help so many people if I only could. 💕😭

[@azamarabear]

How to contact her

[@jayworldjs]

USA and CHINA! We need peace!!! I love you brothers and sisters from another mother. God bless you all.

[@sin2510]

hope shes doing well