Dollar for dollar reaps joy!

Two years ago, Mrs Chan, a single mother who is among the poorest in Hong Kong, told us "I am worried about my son. I don't earn enough to send him to university and I really want him to have better opportunities than I had."

We were about to embark on our Child Development Fund to help poor young people in HK develop their personal interests outside school boundaries, so Mrs. Chan's son, Cho Hing, was among our first intake of youth.

The Child Development Fund matches every dollar saved by poor youth over a two year period, with a dollar donated by generous supporters of our work.  Mrs. Chan now says, "I think my son realizes the sacrifices I have made to save $200 a month, and it has matured him! Having a mentor means he is also being influenced by an older man who is able to teach him what it means to be a gentleman who honours his old mother!" She smiles as she gently teases Cho Hing. 

Cho Hing admits, "I hated going to the smelly, noisy market with my mother, but now I realize she really needs help, so I regularly go and save her the trouble. My mentor has taught me to consider her needs, and not just think about myself all the time."

Cho Hing is crazy about music, but when we first met him he was too shy to share his passion. We found him a mentor who is also a musician, and this formed the basis for a strong friendship. Cho Hing is now confident about his talents, and chose to buy a computer and a software programme that he can use to write songs. So watch the headlines, you may see his albums going platinum sooner than you think! 

Students are now able to gain a generous bonus from the Hong Kong Labour and Welfare Bureau for achieving two years worth of savings, and this is matched dollar for dollar by generous donors to help them invest in their personal development.

Last week, the Rotary Club of Kowloon donated just over half a million HK dollars towards the third intake into the Child Development Fund, so several hundred more youth between 10-16 years will have the same opportunity as Cho Hing. We still need another half a million, so don’t wait too long, this is a deeply rewarding programme with a huge return on your social investment – the opportunity to impact many youth and their families.

You will be giving many more parents the opportunity to say, as Mrs Chan did, "I was always very grateful that Cho Hing was chosen, but I never expected such wonderful results!"