Mongolia and Sichuan fund-raising

When local teacher Lu Kwong-fai visited Linhe district in western Inner-Mongolia in April, he saw first-hand the problems faced by students there.

Once back in Hong Kong, Mr Lu joined hands with the Amity Foundation to organise the city's first Inner Mongolia Sponsorship Programme, which aims to help the education of those students.

The campaign will sponsor food and accommodation for about 5,000 children in Bayannaoer city in Linhe.

At the same time, it will also raise funds for victims of the Sichuan earthquake.

A donation box, bank account and hotline will be set up to allow HK citizens to show their support for these causes.

Activities and events include the 'Yurt Art & Handicrafts Charity Market', open until June 1, at East Point City in Tseung Kwan O.

Visitors can buy original art and handicrafts from Mongolia, including colourful leather wine packs, handmade matouqin and genuine sheep skin decorations.

A book called Living in the Remote Mountains 3 - Emotions of Children on the Inner-Mongolian Plateau is also available, with the HK$30 cover price going to charity.

The book focuses on the life of Mongolian children, and contains 60 articles from a writing contest for students.

For a donation of HK $20, visitors can dress up in colourful traditional Mongolian costumes and have their photographs taken.

Mr Lu will exhibit and donate 34 pictures for charity. These artworks record his trip to Inner Mongolia in April.

For details, call 2628 7399.