(Hong Kong, 28 June 2008) While many parents are busy planning a wide variety
of summer activities for their children, the extra expense
makes these activities just a remote dream for kids from
underprivileged families. Today's Octopus Kids' Wise Spending
Happy Tour enables deprived children to enjoy a fun-filled
day with Octopus volunteers while learning about wise money
management.
Octopus Kids' Wise Spending Happy Tour is one of the activities in the Octopus
Kids' Nurturing Programme, a joint collaboration by Octopus
Cards Limited and St James' Settlement. This year, Octopus
sponsored 200 children from
underprivileged families in Tin Shui Wai, Tuen Mun, Sham
Shui Po, Chai Wan and Northern New Territories to participate
in different extra-curricular
activities. 50 children who showed exceptional enthusiasm
and improvement were then invited to take part in today's
tour.
The children first travelled to Hung Hom to enjoy the movie
"Kung Fu Panda". Each was then given an Octopus with HK$100
stored value to cover their expenses in shopping, lunch and
a ferry ride across scenic
Victoria Harbour. With the guidance of 30 Octopus volunteers,
the children had to plan their spending and learned to identify
the difference between
needs and wants. One of the kids spent all his remaining
money on household goods for his mother so he could reduce
his family's financial burden.
Another child happily bought a birthday present for her sister.
The financial strain on low-income families has always prevented
these kids from learning new experiences and travelling to
places outside their local area. 65% of the 50 kids had never
set foot in a cinema,
and half had never ridden on a ferry. One of the children
said, "Mom said travelling and dining for the whole family
costs hundreds of dollars
and so we can't afford family outings. Today is the first
time I've watched a movie at a cinema. The air conditioning,
soda and popcorn were wonderful!"
For these underprivileged children, the tour was a new and
memorable experience.
"We really appreciate the keen support of our service providers
UA Cinemas and McDonald's in providing the venue and food,
and also the time and love contributed by the Octopus volunteers,"
said Beatrice Fung,
Sales and Marketing Director of Octopus Cards Limited. "The
tour broadens the perspectives of deprived children, and
it's a good opportunity for
them to enjoy some fun and happiness, and at the same time
learn to spend wisely and care for their families."
50
best-performing kids were chosen to join the tour |
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