EDUCATION
BRING ME A BOOK HONG KONG
Founded in 2006 by James and Su Lee Chen and associated with the Us-based Bring Me A Book Foundation, Bring Me A Book Hong Kong is a non-profit that champions family literacy, preparing children for school and other aspects of life, and enriching their lives and those of their families. Bring Me A Book Hong Kong provides English and Chinese books to children and training to parents and educators across Hong Kong. Since it was founded it has established more than 400 libraries in underserved communities to improve children’s access to books, and has run training programmes for 26,000 adults. bringmeabook.org.hk
In The Diary:
Launch of Bring Me A Book Hong Kong’s Read Aloud Collection Vol 2, December; Bring Me A Book Hong Kong pop-up book shop and annual Christmas book sale, December 3-21; illustration exhibition and reading activities in Shanghai, November 13 until January 31, 2019.
New Campaigns:
The organisation held a Magical Math Carnival in March at the American Club in Tai Tam, where 300 guests participated in fun literacy and maths-related activities run by more than 30 volunteer students from local and international schools. Proceeds funded two bookcases and parent training for underprivileged families in Hong Kong.
How To Help?
Make a donation, sponsor a library, volunteer or become a member.
ROOM TO READ HONG KONG
Room to Read is an international non-profit organisation that began in the US in 2000 with the vision of improving the lives of lower-income children through literacy and gender equality in education. It works with local communities, partner organisations and governments to develop literacy skills and reading habits in children, and to support girls through secondary school so that they graduate with essential life skills. Room to Read’s programmes are informed by rigorous research into their effectiveness, research that Room to Read publishes and makes accessible to governments and other institutions. roomtoread.org
In The Diary:
Hong Kong Gala, March 1, 2019.
New Campaigns:
In January local fashion label Mischa partnered with Room to Read Hong Kong, pledging that every product sold online would contribute to a day of school through Room to Read’s Girls’ Education Programme, with the goal of funding 10,000 days of school during the first year of the partnership. Room to Read founder John Wood gave a series of talks in Hong Kong about his new book, Purpose, Incorporated: Turning Cause Into Your Competitive Advantage.
How To Help?
Make a one-off or monthly donation; make a legacy gift; start a fundraising campaign; join one of Room to Read Hong Kong’s events; or volunteer your time.
PROJECT WECAN
Project Wecan is a “business-incommunity” initiative founded by Peter Woo in 2011 that provides an open platform for businesses, academic institutions, consulates and other organisations to connect with secondary school students who are disadvantaged in learning, providing them with resources and opportunities. It aims to develop students’ character, communication, creativity, innovation and more. Through Project Wecan’s pioneering adopta-school programme, one of the organisation’s partners is matched with a school and provides monetary and voluntary support over a number of years. Project Wecan also runs a number of joint school programmes that focus on guiding students’ potential future careers or tertiary education, such as its Career Exploration Day, Young Innovators Bazaar, Scholarship Scheme and Job Tasting Programme. Project Wecan has helped more than 66,000 students in 76 schools. www.projectwecan.com
New Campaigns:
The Singapore Consulate-general joined as a new partner this year. Project Wecan and its partners also embarked on new projects including a student volunteer trip to Yunnan province and career sharing sessions by the likes of Lufthansa and retailer IT.
How To Help?
Become a partner or supporting organisation.
“BRING ME A BOOK HONG KONG WORKS TIRELESSLY SO THAT HONG KONG CHILDREN GROW UP WITH A LOVE OF READING AND LEARNING. THIS CHARITY IS A GREAT FIT FOR A BOOK LOVER LIKE ME, ESPECIALLY WHEN CONTRIBUTING TO ITS BOOK GUIDES, BECAUSE I GET TO READ HUNDREDS OF BOOKS AND CURATE THE BEST ONES FOR ITS COLLECTIONS.” —ANNIE HO-TING