Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden was originally the Kadoorie Agricultural Aid Association (KAAA) until it was renamed in 1995. During the period between the 1950s and the 1980s, KAAA had helped thousands of immigrants become self-supporting and independent by training them, providing them with agricultural inputs and giving them access to interest-free loans.

Lau Tso-Ying (Ying) was an Assistant Forewoman working as part of Landscaping Team 2 of the Estate Management Section within the Flora Conservation Department. In 1994, whilst visiting a beauty salon for a facial treatment, Ying heard from her friend that KFBG was hiring workers. She was referred by a friend, and started working at KFBG in the same year. At first, her duty was to tidy the roads on the site. Later, she helped to trim, plant and fertilise the plants.

Ying has been working at KFBG for over 20 years, but her connection with KFBG had started much earlier. When Ying recalled her relationship with KFBG, she said she thought it was Fate bringing her back here. Her story may be traced back to the 1960s and 70s when Ying’s parents were farmers in Sai Kung. Ying recalled, ‘My parents were beneficiaries of KAAA; I still remember KAAA transported pigs, chicks, calves and tangerines by ship from Wong Shek Pier. This helped improve our economic condition a lot. For all these years this piece of childhood memory has lingered in my heart, so I feel grateful to be able to work here and contribute my efforts.’
 

Ying (middle, in blue shirt) and her teammates taking group photo at The North District Flower Bird Insect And Fish Show in 1997

Ying said that this is only the third job in her life. She said that she has been happy to meet so many different people and to be working with such a great team. She’s never thought of quitting her job because she loves it very much. When Ying talked about the strong bonding within her team, her eyes glistened with tears.

Ying carefully adding compost around the base of the tree sapling

The interview with Ying was conducted near Signpost Corner, a place where Ying has often worked. The slope was already planted with many tree saplings. Ying walked swiftly along the slope carrying heavy compost in both arms. She added compost to each sapling while checking the condition of the young tree. She told us it’s important to pile up the compost around the base of the sapling to make sure the nutrients are well absorbed by the tree roots instead of being washed away when there is heavy rain. In the afternoon, Ying would continue her work and affix coconut mats to the soil to prevent weeds from growing.

Ying sweeping the floor at T.S. Woo Memorial Pavilion
 

Ying likes working in the Upper Area, especially at Kadoorie Brothers Memorial Pavilion and Kwun Yum Shan where it is more peaceful. Working at KFBG has made Ying become more aware of the needs of animals and plants: as she works, she keeps an eye on the plants and watches to see if anyone is trying to pick them. Ying said she always felt truly happy when visitors praised the beautiful landscape and thanked her for looking after the plants. Last year Ying planted a Neolitsea chuii in the Upper Area to commemorate her 20 year’s service at KFBG. On Earth Day (22 April) every year, all KFBG staff join the tree planting activity in the Upper Area. Ying commented, ‘In the past, the survival rate of the tree saplings was relatively low because there was no proper protection around the saplings. Now that we use tree guards and coconut mats most of the tree saplings can grow healthily.’

It only takes minutes to destroy a forest but it takes years to rebuild the forest. Thanks to Ying and the Flora Conservation Department’s efforts, the reforestation project is moving on well. Please join us in helping to protect our environment and treasure our natural resources. We congratulate Ying on her long service with KFBG and wish her a joyful and fruitful life in retirement.