CAUSE

Removing Barriers

Being Neighbourly x Fanny Riou, Mayaa World

Author/ Being Neighbourly
22 March 2025

Mayaa means ‘love’ in Nepali. It embodies our mission: to nurture children with care and compassion, and to provide access to education that transforms lives,” says Fanny Riou, Director and Event manager of Mayaa World. 

Mayaa World was founded thanks to the dedication of Nicole Sicard and Sarbendra Pachhai, both of whom believe that education is the key to progress and change.

“Initially, Mayaa was born in Nepal, a country where Nicole frequently traveled for humanitarian work,” says Riou. At the time, the association she was collaborating with ceased operations, leaving many children without support. Determined to make a difference, she decided to take action, Riou explains.

At that point, Sicard had been living in Hong Kong for 60 years, working as a biology teacher. She mobilized resources and started raising funds to support children in Nepal, eventually founding Mayaa Nepal. Building on this momentum and her involvement in the local community, she later established Mayaa Hong Kong to extend support to underprivileged children in the SAR.

According to Riou, as Nicole sought funding to support Mayaa’s initiatives, the response was greater than she had ever anticipated. To ensure transparency and sustainability, she and a group of dedicated volunteers took the necessary steps to formalize Mayaa’s status as an official NGO.
“Mayaa successfully obtained Section 88 charity status in Hong Kong, a significant milestone,” shares Riou.

She continues, “This recognition was crucial as it legitimized Mayaa’s work and demonstrated its real impact in the community. It also allowed for tax-deductible donations, helping to attract more donors and secure long-term support.”

Mayaa operates differently in Hong Kong and Nepal, adapting to each community’s specific needs. In Hong Kong: Mayaa collaborates with 11 partner schools, supporting children who face specific challenges in their education. The organization provides targeted assistance such as: funding for special education needs assessments; subsidising school books, uniforms, and exam fees; facilitating access to cultural and educational experiences (e.g., recently organizing a VR exhibition on the Notre-Dame for students); partnering with the French International School for activities and school supply donations; and running a reward program to recognize children who show significant progress.

Meanwhile, in Nepal: Mayaa operates a center in Kathmandu, which includes: A daycare for young children; a team of social workers and childcare assistants; sponsorship for the education of 300 children, ensuring they attend school instead of working in fields or quarries; emergency aid for families in crisis; workshops on hygiene, nutrition, and social development.

But Riou says that for all of the differences, the root aspiration in both locations shares similarities. “Mayaa’s goal is to remove barriers to education and provide children with the opportunities they need to succeed,” says Riou, adding that Mayaa is committed to scaling its impact while remaining a human-sized charity.”

“While we cannot speak for other organizations,” says Riou, “Mayaa’s biggest challenge is visibility. We are fortunate to have strong support from the French community, which has been instrumental in our success. However, we would love to expand our reach to the broader Hong Kong community to increase awareness and support.”

In Hong Kong, Riou says that they want to expand and improve their existing programs by: providing enriching experiences to broaden their knowledge; and organising tutoring with the School Principals for children who need special attention.

Meanwhile, in Nepal, they aim to secure long-term sustainability and celebrate their first success stories. For example, children from disadvantaged backgrounds are now studying abroad in India and Japan; becoming doctors and professionals in various fields. “Rather than expanding indiscriminately, we want to enhance the quality of our support and maximize our impact,” says Riou.

There are several ways to support Mayaa, Riou shares, such as attending their fundraising events, which, “are essential for financing our projects”; sponsoring a child’s education in Nepal – For just HKD 2,000 per year, you can help a child access education and build a brighter future; or you may join their team of volunteers. “We are always looking for diverse skill sets, including: Web development; Content creation; and Database management.”

“This fall, we will be hosting a networking cocktail event to introduce Mayaa to a wider audience, says Riou. “We hope to see many new faces there. We would be delighted to welcome you into the Mayaa family!”

What is the best thing about the work that you do?

“The best thing about the work I do with Mayaa is seeing the direct and tangible impact we make in the lives of children and their families,” says Fanny Riou, Director and Event manager of Mayaa World.

“Knowing that our efforts—whether through fundraising events like Soli’dressing, Cabare or education sponsorships—can help a child go to school, receive medical care, or dream bigger for their future, is incredibly fulfilling. It’s also about the human connection: the joy, gratitude and hope we witness remind us that small actions, when done with love and consistency, can change lives.”

Mayaa World
Block C, 24/F, Kwan Yick Building Phase 2, 343 Des Voeux Road West, Sai Ying Pun.