*********************************************************
The Child Development Fund (CDF) projects' Kick-off cum Certificate Presentation Ceremony was held today (May 9) to show support to organisations running the fifth-batch CDF projects, to commend participants and mentors of the third-batch projects, and to pay tribute to strategic partners and supporting organisations of the CDF as well as organisers of value-added activities for CDF participants.
Officiating at the ceremony, the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, said that since its establishment in 2008, the CDF has assisted underprivileged children by providing them with guidance, widening their horizons and exposure, and encouraging them to plan for their future.
So far the CDF has rolled out four batches of 61 projects operated by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and seven school-based pilots operated by schools. These projects have benefited about 7 000 children, including children from ethnic minorities, with disabilities or living in cubicle apartments.
Mr Cheung said, "The fifth-batch projects have just been awarded in the second quarter of this year. The operating NGOs are recruiting participants and mentors. A total of more than 2 000 underprivileged children are expected to benefit."
Each CDF project lasts for three years. All 18 projects in the third batch, involving more than 2 000 participants, have been successfully completed in the first quarter of this year. Out of about 1 500 mentors, 87 have been nominated as outstanding mentors by the NGOs. Mr Cheung presented awards to them in recognition of their commitment and dedication today. He commended the volunteer mentors for acting as the life coaches of the next generation through providing individual guidance, sharing of experience, and broadening the participants' horizons and exposure.
Mr Cheung said, "To ensure the sustainability of the CDF, the Chief Executive announced in his 2014 Policy Address the earmarking of an additional $300 million for the CDF to improve and roll out more projects." The additional allocation can benefit 9 700 more participants, while the total allocation of $600 million will benefit a total of about 20 000 underprivileged children.
Also officiating at the ceremony were the Permanent Secretary for Labour and Welfare and Chairman of the Steering Committee on CDF, Miss Annie Tam, and other members of the Steering Committee on CDF.
Ends/Saturday, May 9, 2015
Issued at HKT 13:09
NNNN
