Hoping to raise funds to help educate mainland girls, the Old Book Recycling Campaign '98 has got underway.
The annual campaign relies on public donations of old books for charity sales to raise money for World Vision's community development projects in China and to promote environmental protection in Hong Kong.
This year, funds raised will support the Hui Girls' Education Project of Tanshan township in Ningxia. A shortage of water and a lack of natural resources greatly affects agriculture in Ningxia. Due to poverty many farmers are hard pressed to afford school fees. Because they traditionally value boys more than girls, many Hui girls do not get the chance to go to school.
The campaign is organised by World Vision Hong Kong, Jusco Stores (Hong Kong) and Hong Kong Housing Authority.
Dr Chan Sze-tong, chief executive of World Vision Hong Kong, said: 'Through the Hui Girls' Education Project, World Vision aims at empowering girls and women in Tanshan township by providing formal and informal education opportunities. Hong Kong people can change the lives of those girls by donating their old books and supporting the charity sales.' Since it began six years ago, the campaign has raised more than $2 million to help people in need throughout China.
The organisers have asked the public to support the campaign and donate old textbooks, reference books, fiction and children's books to help educate Hui girls.
