Starting out

The BESA began from humble beginnings thanks to an ambitious re-housing plan introduced by the Hong Kong government more than two decades ago.

The Comprehensive Redevelopment Program launched in 1988 was aimed at improving the environment and living standards for tenants in government-owned properties. The largest estate to undergo redevelopment was Tsz Wan Shan, which comprised of 63 blocks and about 80,000 residents at the time.

Law Ying was one of 18,000 people aged 60 and over on the estate back then. Like others living alone, she said moving was a daunting prospect. "I was worried about how I would be able to re-house all by myself," said the 81-year-old.

To solve the problem, a group of volunteers, social work students and university lecturers was formed to help more than 100 single elderly people move. That group became the BESA in 1989.

"In 1995, they helped me move the furniture into my new apartment, covered the floor and fixed the lighting - all free of charge," said Law.

Like many of fellow migrants, Law was born in neighboring Guangdong province. Life was arduous before she arrived in Hong Kong in 1976 to join her husband, leaving her only son in her hometown.

"My husband died just four years after we were reunited. My son was only 12 years old at the time," she said.

The widow then took on two jobs, working in an electronic industry during the day and helping out trimming garment ends at night, and sent money home to her families in the mainland.

Contrary to the common belief that all elderly people want to stay with their children and grandchildren, Law said she is reluctant to join her son in Guangdong after having lived alone for more than three decades, except the occasional visits during festivals.

"I won't go back, even they carry me in a sedan chair," she chuckled, although she added with a sigh: "Many of my longtime friends have already passed away, gone back to their old homes or entered care homes, so I don't get to see them very often."

About 151,300 people aged 60 or over live alone like Law, according to official statistics released in 2009.