Sun Hung Kai Properties (SHKP), the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, St James' Settlement and MGuru will arrange for over 1,100 underprivileged children from different districts to visit the annual book fair.  The children will each get HK$200 to buy books.

SHKP Executive Director Mike Wong, St James' Settlement Chief Executive Michael Lai, MGuru's Kwong Wing-huen and Trade Development Council Assistant Chief Executive Yip Chak-yan hosted an event to kick off the four-day reading programme at the book fair today (July 23).

Mr Wong said: "Children are our future leaders.  We want to play a part in offering them the opportunity to lift their horizons and equip themselves with new knowledge so that they can contribute to a better future for Hong Kong.  The book fair offers a good opportunity for them to learn.  We hope that the children who take part in our programme will value the opportunity and pick their favourite books for the summer holidays, and that the lucky ones who get to buy books will share them with their classmates at school to cultivate a reading habit."

Mr Yip said: "This is the second year the four organizations have worked together on this initiative.  With SHKP's generous support, we were able to organize a bigger programme this year to benefit even more children.  The book fair is in its 20th year and is an important vehicle to promote culture and reading.  I hope that every child who takes part in this year's programme will value the opportunity to find books they like.  I also hope that after coming to the book fair this year, they will come every year.  The book fair is always ready to welcome you."

Mr Lai said: "The financial turmoil has affected the livelihood of many underprivileged people who cannot afford the luxury of extra-curriculum activities.  St James' Settlement always cares about children's development, in particular underprivileged ones.  We want to offer them a chance to learn.  We had a major success last year, as nearly 80% of the children who came to the book fair through our programme were first-time visitors at the event.  It took the burden off parents and enabled the children to enjoy reading in the summer.  The book fair is a valuable platform and the programme lets children make good use of their summer holidays to learn more in the book fair and to lift their horizons."

Ms Kwong said the programme is in its second year and the number of beneficiaries has increased from 750 to 1,100 children.  I believe that our programme is a good model as it is setting a good example of reading and bringing underprivileged children to the world of books.

The programme is sponsoring over 1,100 primary and secondary students aged nine to 14 from Yuen Long, Tin Shui Wai, Tuen Mun, Shan Shui Po, Ngau Tau Kok, Tung Chung, Kwai Chung, New Territories North and Chai Wan to visit the book fair today and the next three days.  Free transportation is provided to take the students from their schools to the book fair, plus free lunch.  Each student gets HK$200 to buy books.  SHKP and St James' Settlement volunteers will also be on hand to help the students tour the book fair and choose books.

The organizers have arranged for noted individuals to talk to the students as part of the programme to encourage learning.  The eight winners of the SHKP Book Club's second Young Writers' Debut competition and competition judges will host a seminar about writing, to inspire and pass on the enthusiasm to the next generation.