Henderson Development Anti-Epidemic Fund Donates 2,000 Laptop Computers and Data Packages to Financially Disadvantaged Students in Hong Kong to Facilitate Online Learning

Henderson Development Anti-Epidemic Fund (“The Fund”), a privately-financed charity established by the Group’s Chairmen Dr. Lee Ka Kit, Peter and Mr. Lee Ka Shing, Martin, has launched a scheme to distribute 2,000 laptop computers through six NGOs to students-in-need to enable them to continue their studies safely at home. Each laptop computer is delivered with a Pocket Wi-Fi and mobile data card with one-year unlimited data.

The Fund’s scheme is being made possible with the enthusiastic support of various trusted partners. The unlimited data service plan is offered by China Mobile Hong Kong at a generous discounted price, while six NGO partners with ample experience in children and youth services are responsible for the outreach and distribution to disadvantaged students. The NGO partners are Save the Children Hong Kong, Society for Community Organization, St. James’ Settlement, the Boys’ & Girls’ Clubs Association of Hong Kong, Lok Sin Tong Benevolent Society Kowloon and Hong Kong Community Network.

Mr. Lee Ka Shing, Martin, Chairman of Henderson Land Group, said: “As a father of four children I have first hand experience of the problems encountered by students who have to adapt to online classes due to continuing school suspensions caused by the COVID-19 epidemic. I have also observed that many financially-disadvantaged students in Hong Kong are struggling to adapt due to a lack of resources and the significant financial burden it places on their families. Some of them simply cannot afford a computer, and some children even have to borrow a parent’s mobile phone to get internet access. Obviously, this is not ideal as a phone screen is too small and a parent might not be at home when the child needs to use it to attend online classes.“

“Other students who already have computers cannot afford high-speed data plans and are going to public places to access free Wi-Fi. This is worrying because studying in a public area increases their risk of becoming infected. For this reason we are giving laptop computers with full data provision to students in need, so they can study at home and stay safe.”

Since early February, the Fund has launched a series of relief measures and schemes in Hong Kong and mainland China to combat the epidemic and alleviate the devastating impact that the COVID-19 is having on the community. The Fund’s previous initiatives include a donation to UNICEF Hong Kong to enable the purchase of one million face masks for underprivileged children in Hong Kong, sponsoring the sterilization of Hong Kong public transportation fleets with long-acting nano photocatalytic disinfectant since mid-February, as well as donating vitamin C, energy bars and concentrated Chinese medicine granules to hospitals and health organisations in Hubei, China, benefitting over 100,000 people in total.