(Hong Kong, 18 May 2007) Octopus Cards Limited (OCL), in collaboration with St.
James' Settlement (SJS), today announced the launch of "Octopus
Kids' Nurturing Program", offering 100 underprivileged students
the opportunity to participate in extra-curricular activities
with a view to exploring their talents and enhancing their
all-round development.
With Octopus' financial support, 100 students of Primary 2 to 5 will attend
courses in a variety of non-academic areas covering arts,
music and
sports. These courses, which will run from October 2007 to
January 2008, include harmonica, Chinese painting, pottery,
English drama and Chinese martial arts. Eligible participants
will be selected from SJS' partner schools in Tuen Mun,
Yuen Long and Tin Shui Wai. SJS has more than 30 partner
schools
throughout Hong Kong.
Ms Prudence Chan, Chief Executive
Officer of Octopus Cards Limited, said, "Since our launch
10 years ago, Octopus has become an integral part of everyday
life in Hong Kong. As we continue to develop our business,
we see the need to support the community and care for those
in need. With innovation as part of our core value, we hope
to provide these children with the opportunity to nurture
their talents and creativity so together we’ll be able to
create a brighter future."
Ms Chan added, "We are delighted to
work with St. James' Settlement on this meaningful program
as it is their mission to provide deprived children with
equal learning opportunities. Octopus hopes to play our part
in giving these children the same opportunity that children
from better-off families have. We believe this program would
bring invaluable benefits to their growth and future development."
Mr Michael Lai, Chief Executive Officer
of St. James' Settlement, said, "This is the first time
we are working together with Octopus as partners. We really
appreciate Octopus' initiative in seeking us out to cater
to the needs of the underprivileged in our community while
they celebrate their 10th Anniversary. Octopus makes an excellent
role model as a good corporate citizen."
About Octopus
Launched in 1997, Hong Kong's Octopus is the world's leading
and most extensive smartcard payment system, with over
444 service providers across different businesses including
public transport, parking, retail, vending and kiosks,
schools, leisure facilities and access control for residential
and commercial buildings. Merchants and Octopus holders
embrace Octopus for both its simplicity and its convenience.
Today, 15 million Octopus cards are in circulation, and
the system handles nearly 10 million transactions a day,
with transaction value exceeding HK$78 million.
In recent years, Octopus has started
to export its unique experience and technology overseas,
offering consultancy services and holding workshops for parties
from different parts of the world.
About St. James'
Settlement
St. James' Settlement is a charitable multi-social service
organization which was founded in 1949. Its service targets
include children, youngsters, families, street sleepers
as well as mentally handicapped and elderly people.
St. James' Settlement has always upheld
the principle of "serving the poor and the weak", with improving
the quality of life of the underprivileged as its focus.
It always ventures into new services and charity projects
as a way to fulfill the needs of the helpless and deprived.
A large number of needy people are being helped by its charity
projects such as People's Food Bank and "Grant-in-aid Brightens
Children’s Lives" (http://www.sjs.org.hk).
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