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Beijing-based Half the Sky Foundation, an international NGO with 40,000 individual and corporate supporters around the world, is opening a Hong Kong branch. The Foundation, which provides one-on-one, nurturing care for more than 3,200 orphaned children in mainland China, celebrates the opening of its new office today (September 27).
As one of the earliest foreign NGOs that run service centres in China, Half the Sky has quickly expanded since its first centre opened in 2000. Today, the Foundation provides services in 30 welfare institutions in 12 provinces and municipalities across mainland China.
Half the Sky's Executive Director, Ms Jenny Bowen, says she is gratified by the outpouring of support that has made it possible for the Foundation to expand to Hong Kong. Half the Sky is now a registered Hong Kong charity, Half the Sky Foundation (Asia) Limited ¡V a move which enables Hong Kong citizens and businesses to contribute directly to its programmes for orphaned children.
¡§We are thrilled to open an office in Hong Kong, a city that has a long history of concern for public welfare. Already many Hong Kong residents and corporations have been generous in supporting Half the Sky¡¦s work for China¡¦s orphans and their numbers are growing every day," Ms Bowen said. "It is such an exciting time to be here. With the launch of this office, Hong Kong citizens and business can now make a real difference for orphaned children in China, in a way that complements and supports the efforts of the Chinese government.¡¨
Director-General of Investment Promotion at Invest Hong Kong, Mr Mike Rowse, welcomed Half the Sky Foundation¡¦s decision to open a branch in Hong Kong. ¡§Hong Kong is well-positioned as a two-way platform for exchange between the Mainland and overseas organisations, and Hong Kong people are known for their generosity and support for those in need. I am confident that our city is the right place for international NGOs like Half the Sky Foundation to pursue worthy objectives,¡¨ Mr Rowse.
Half the Sky is dedicated to providing nurture and care for orphaned children throughout childhood. Half the Sky Nurture Centres are located inside Chinese State-run orphanages, where specially-trained nannies and teachers provide comfort, nurturing and education to orphaned children. Half the Sky currently employs around 800 Chinese nationals, including 501 nannies, 27 nanny supervisors, and 140 pre-school teachers to provide the smiles, the hugs, and the nurturing learning environment that good parents provide for their children and that neuroscientists have found are essential to children¡¦s healthy development.
Half the Sky works closely with the Chinese government, which is committed to improving care for China¡¦s orphaned children. Half the Sky also works closely with local NGOs, such as China Population Welfare Foundation and China Social Work Association.
More than 10,000 children have experienced this motherly love and concern from Half the Sky. But Ms Bowen says there are many more children in need,¡§Half the Sky will continue to provide heartfelt, individual care to China¡¦s orphans until we reach our goal of ensuring that every child living in Chinese institutions has a nurturing adult in her daily life.¡¨
Invest Hong Kong is the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government department charged with encouraging and facilitating inward investment into the city by providing the support needed to establish a business presence here. For more information, please visit the website at www.investhk.gov.hk.
Ends/Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Issued at HKT 17:37
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