(Hong Kong, 3 May 2008) School children from low-income families have not benefited
from the improving economy and low unemployment rate. Figures
show that the number of low-income families has increased
despite the economic boom. To help overcome cross-generation
deficiency, Octopus Cards Limited has joined hands with St.
James' Settlement for the second time in rolling out the
Octopus Kids' Nurturing Programme. The programme enables
underprivileged school children to participate in extra-curricular
activities with a view to ensuring their all-round development.
Last year's inaugural programme saw encouraging results with 70% of the participating
school children agreeing that the programme had helped them
develop their potential and boost their confidence. 70% percent
of the parents also agreed that the programme had provided
practical help to their kids.
Prudence Chan, Chief Executive Officer
of Octopus Cards Limited, said, "Octopus is glad to contribute
to the local community and play a part in easing cross-generation
deficiency. Octopus and our volunteers are encouraged by
last year's response. We are particularly pleased that the
Government has extended its support for this year's programme
by granting a matching sum from the Partnership Fund for
the Disadvantaged. We truly believe that, with adequate support,
each kid, like a tiny seed, can grow to become strong and
contribute to the future of Hong Kong."
To cope with rising demand, Octopus
has increased its funding to the programme, doubling the
number of beneficiaries from last year's 100 kids to this
year's 200. The programme has also expanded its reach from
Tin Shui Wai and Yuen Long to Tuen Mun, Sham Shui Po, Sheung
Shui, Tin Shui Wai, Chai Wan and Northern New Territories.
The extracurricular activities that the kids can choose from
include rope skipping,
Chinese kung-fu, Chinese musical instruments, acrobatics,
African drums, English drama and Chinese painting.
"Currently, 260,000 children are living
under the poverty line in Hong Kong," said Michael Lai,
Chief Executive Officer of St. James' Settlement. "Our existing
social security system has not been giving them sufficient
help. The improving economy also brings soaring prices and
these deprived families find it increasingly difficult to
make ends meet, not to mention sparing money for their kids'
extra-curricular activities. We thank Octopus for answering
our call for corporate support to combat cross- generation
deficiency. With the Octopus Kids' Nurturing Programme as
a role model, we are hoping to enlist more support from corporations
to help the impoverished families."
One of the participating teachers
said, "Our students come from low-income families and thus
have fewer opportunities to take part in extra-curricular
activities. The subsidy each student gets today from charity
organisations is simply not enough to cover the course fee.
It's not uncommon for students with potential talent to
have to drop out due to the lack of funding."
Octopus Kids' Nurturing Programme
is part of St. James' Settlement's "Grant-in-Aid Brightens
Children's Lives Charity Project". The project aims to provide
study resources for underprivileged children. In the past
few months alone, 10 more schools and organisations have
registered with the project, bringing the total number of
subsidised school children to 6,500. The subsidies cover
stationery, books, lunches and interest groups, reflecting
that the most immediate needs of underprivileged school children
are not being met despite the better economy.
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