It’s always been a critical part of our global agenda to engage with the local community. In Hong Kong, we’re extremely active in building partnerships and contributing to good causes.
Hong Kong Schools Partnership
In March 2007, we launched our flagship community project: the ‘EdExchange’ partnership with Lau Wing Sang and Fung Yiu King Secondary Schools. Investing around HK$140,000, we’ve been engaged in a huge range of activities. For instance, we conducted a book and film review programme (based on ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’) to help students improve their English language skills. We presented a seminar to around 500 students on the Legal System in Hong Kong, as well as providing coaching, CV-review services, and placement assistance to enhance career options. Added to that, we trained and supported students to hold a school bazaar that would benefit local, low-income families; and provided a range of English language books for the Linklaters’ corner of the Fung Yiu King library.
Crossroads
We provided Crossroads, an organisation that co-ordinates the distribution of donated aid supplies, with HK$12,500 to fund a container of goods that will assist a Zambian orphanage. Following that, a team of volunteers went to Tuen Mun and helped to pack a container bound for North China. We also donated 25 laptops for overseas use.
Buildings at home and abroad
We contributed HK$95,000 towards a new school that was being built in Pho Van Commune (Vietnam), and dedicated it to the memory of Tom ap Rhys Pryce. A team from our office attended the opening, and took a huge donation of books and art supplies. They also had a chance to meet the students and families who will benefit. We are continuing our support with funding for a bi-lingual children’s book (HK$77,000) which will be distributed through the ‘Room to Read’ network in Vietnam.
In addition, we provided HK$401,858 to build an ‘Angel Learning Resource Centre’ at the Catholic Mission School in Sheung Wan. The centre will incorporate a library, a reading room, and facilities for special needs students.
Educational support
We were also involved in two further educational initiatives through EdExchange. Firstly, we provided HK$11,262 to hire a qualified occupational therapist to work with handicapped students at Kei Shun Special School in Kwun Tong. In addition, we provided HK$11,886 to purchase software and equipment to enable handicapped students at Margaret Trench Red Cross School in Wong Tai Sin to learn to write Chinese characters.
Aside from these activities, we’ve also given to various charities – from the World Cancer Research Foundation to Mindset. All in all, our contributions through the Hong Kong office have surpassed the HK$1million mark. However, equally important have been the time, skills, passion and in-kind donations of our people.
Please click here for more information about our Community Investment Programme in Asia.