Coming to Hong Kong was not easy. Adapting to a new culture, a new lifestyle, and a way of connecting that is VERY different from us Brazilians. On the one hand, it was great staying with the boys and having a 100% dedication to the family – some wishes I managed to fulfill: closely monitoring homework, playing in the afternoon after school, making cake together, among many others! But the hardest thing was losing my financial independence and my career - working since I was 18, I got used to having my own money and felt that I had lost my freedom.
During the first 8 months I was focused on the family – adapting the children to their new school, supporting Daniel so that he could have peace of mind at work and establishing a routine for me to do the house chores.
I learned how to cook and wash clothes (I'm ashamed I didn't learn this sooner!). It was also a period of mourning – of letting go of the things I had built in Brazil and starting from scratch.
Little by little I started to read and understand how Hong Kong works. A developed country with great social inequality!
• Of the 7.1 million inhabitants, 1.5 million are considered poor.
• 25% of children do not have access to 3 meals a day.
• 1 in 3 elderly people live in poverty.
No one I knew in Hong Kong, had heard of Conscious Capitalism, Mohammad Yunus or what B Corp was. The feeling is that I was in a country 10 years behind Brazil in the field of impact business.
I put together my CV and went looking for work. I applied for more than 30 vacancies and nothing. I only managed to get an interview when someone referred me to the person responsible for the vacancy. Highly qualified, does not speak Cantonese/Mandarin and/or lack of experience in Asia: these were the main reasons for not continuing with the selection processes. I received so many NOs that I swear I didn't care about them anymore.
All these difficulties were relieved with countless conversations, cries and laughter. I was lucky enough to meet, in my first month in Hong Kong, two incredible women who always underpinned my worth and what was special about me. They helped me understand my choices, my history, my strengths and weaknesses. Discovering my potentials and not limiting myself by what the current moment offered. Discovering together with them the power of yoga, meditation and, once again, the strength of one woman helping another. Strong references for me from women who can balance their diverse roles and are passionate about their careers. Much more than that - it's my 2 sisters from my family here in Asia. Gifts that life gave me!
