Following the success in 2007, Octopus has once again teamed up with St. James' Settlement to benefit underprivileged children through participation in extra-curricular activities to broaden their perspectives.

Octopus has increased its funding this year, doubling the number of beneficiaries to 200 children. The programme has also expanded its reach from Tin Shui Wai and Yuen Long to Tuen Mun, Northern New Territories, Sham Shui Po and Chai Wan. The children can choose one of seven extra-curricular activities, including rope skipping, Chinese kung-fu, Chinese musical instruments, acrobatics, African drums, English drama and Chinese painting. Octopus employees will continue to support the programme through volunteers taking part in various activities.

In the kick-off ceremony on 3 May 2008, 200 school children from eight participating schools pledged to treasure the learning opportunity and make great efforts in the programme. A graduate from 2007 shared her experience with the 2008 group on how she had benefited from the programme. The children also listened to an interactive financial management talk on how to manage their spending. Each child was given an Octopus wristband with a stored value of HK$100, and they were encouraged to plan and manage their spending.

The 2008 Octopus Kids' Nurturing Programme has received matching support from the Partnership Fund for the Disadvantaged of the Social Welfare Department, which ensures that the programme will continue to benefit even more children in need.

Go to St. James' Settlement's programme website (available in Chinese only)
Go back to Octopus Kids' Nurturing Programme