https://www.scmp.com/rss/323649/feed en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Hong Kong refugee Rangi was 14 when civil war broke out in Sri Lanka. From among his classmates, he is one of a few survivors; many were slaughtered by the Sri Lankan army. I arranged to spend the night with Rangi and his family in their cramped Wan Chai apartment in December last year. We speak as I sit in one of his children’s chairs. He’s on the bottom bunk of a bed, which takes up most of the bedroom. The space is so cramped our knees nearly touch. Rangi’s memory is still fresh with stories... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education-community/article/2094140/my-21-years-illegal-immigrant-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education-community/article/2094140/my-21-years-illegal-immigrant-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 13 May 2017 02:30:00 +0000 The government should work more closely with NGOs, charities and companies to bridge the city’s growing wealth gap, a senior official at a leading insurance company said. David Fried, chief executive of the emerging markets division of QBE Insurance Group, Australia’s largest global insurer, said the ­difference between the rich and poor was widening not only here but also all over the world. “Most people tend to think about it only around Christmas time,” he said of the gap. “But the phenomenon... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education-community/article/2059595/insurance-firm-seeks-bridge-hong-kong-wealth?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education-community/article/2059595/insurance-firm-seeks-bridge-hong-kong-wealth?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 05 Jan 2017 07:06:46 +0000 Staff from the Bank of East Asia swapped their suits and ties for more colourful garments to kick off a variety of charity fundraising activities over the festive period. For the first time, the bank partnered with Operation Santa Claus (OSC), the annual charity campaign organised by the South China Morning Post and RTHK, raising about HK$150,000 for 23 charities in the city. Events over the course of a week included games, balloon twisting, caricature drawing and sales of sweets and ice... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education-community/article/2058929/bank-east-asia-staff-let-their-hair-down-and-give?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education-community/article/2058929/bank-east-asia-staff-let-their-hair-down-and-give?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 03 Jan 2017 08:27:58 +0000 An imaginary hot air balloon was rapidly sinking, and personalities including Malala Yousafzai, Harry Potter and Donald Trump were on board. Someone had to be thrown out to prevent the demise of all the contestants, and only the best debater could survive. This was just one of many fun activities to liven up two Clifford Chance staff parties that saw employees face off for good causes. The multinational law firm teamed up with Operation Santa Claus, the annual charity appeal organised by the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education-community/article/2057871/debate-and-quiz-skills-tested-help-young?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education-community/article/2057871/debate-and-quiz-skills-tested-help-young?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 29 Dec 2016 04:38:26 +0000 The eighth Bank of America Merrill Lynch Charity Golf Day was held in the lush surroundings of Clear Water Bay for Operation Santa Claus (OSC). Chris Gammons, head of Asia Pacific global capital markets for the bank, addressed more than 70 golfers, comprising employees and clients, before the tee off. “We’re honoured to be once again part of the Operation Santa Claus charity campaign,” he said. “We’ve been supporting OSC for the past 19 years, and for the eighth year now we’ve partnered with... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education-community/article/2057615/charity-golf-day-raises-hk640000-good-causes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education-community/article/2057615/charity-golf-day-raises-hk640000-good-causes?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 28 Dec 2016 04:20:13 +0000 The colourful and showy neon signs hovering above the streets and the most breathtaking panoramic views of the city’s stunning skyline are something most Hongkongers get accustomed to and may take for granted, but not 20-year-old filmmaker Sam Robinson. Robinson, who has lived here all his life, sees the city from many different perspectives. He looks for what lies hidden through his camera lens to reveal the soul of the city. Through his short film Focus Hong Kong he hopes more people can... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education-community/article/2056910/young-hong-kong-filmmaker-reveals-citys-hidden?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education-community/article/2056910/young-hong-kong-filmmaker-reveals-citys-hidden?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 24 Dec 2016 05:01:56 +0000 About 85 per cent of Hong Kong’s “orphans” have at least one living parent, and yet they live in institutions. The living room is cozy and peaceful. On the dinner table, steam rises from eight bowls of food, filling the air with a tempting smell. On the couch, children chat and watch television, just like they would in an ordinary home. But 10-year-old Alex and his “brothers” and “sisters” don’t live in an ordinary home. Mistakenly referred to as orphans, these primary school pupils are the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education-community/article/2056929/hong-kong-orphans-face-lonely-life-homes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education-community/article/2056929/hong-kong-orphans-face-lonely-life-homes?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 24 Dec 2016 03:02:26 +0000 At Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centre, patients can eventually take on the role of a carer. That was the case for one patient, nicknamed Grace, who said she had “rediscovered many reasons to be grateful and to celebrate life regardless of circumstances” over the past six years at the centre. “When I was first diagnosed with cancer, I was able to turn to Maggie’s and receive timely support from its professional team,” she said. The centre made her feel like she was not alone while on the road to... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education-community/article/2056348/hong-kong-cancer-carers-spread-belief-joy-living?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education-community/article/2056348/hong-kong-cancer-carers-spread-belief-joy-living?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 21 Dec 2016 08:31:18 +0000 Like many retired celebrities, Hong Kong’s superstar cat Brother Cream spends a lot of his time taking it easy, enjoying life and dedicating his time to charity. After being evicted from his grocery store home in Tsim Sha Tsui East last May, the 11-year-old British shorthair shied away from the spotlight and devoted himself to helping the city’s destitute felines. Today Brother Cream enjoys the tranquillity of the rural New Territories surrounded by his family – two humans and five cats. His... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education-community/article/2055246/brother-cream-hong-kongs-celebrity-cat-now?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education-community/article/2055246/brother-cream-hong-kongs-celebrity-cat-now?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 17 Dec 2016 05:01:30 +0000 The peaceful atmosphere of a remote forest, the spectacular view from a plateau and a sense of charity-induced purpose – these were the elements that convinced 20 employees from Haitong International to go on a 10km hike earlier this month. Teaming up for a second year with Operation Santa Claus (OSC), a charity campaign organised by the South China Morning Post and RTHK, the Haitong staff members challenged themselves to help some of Hong Kong’s most underprivileged people. Starting from Tai... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education-community/article/2053874/haitong-securities-staff-hike-10km-raise-hk50000?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education-community/article/2053874/haitong-securities-staff-hike-10km-raise-hk50000?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 12 Dec 2016 08:08:55 +0000 Snowball fights may be a classic activity during winter, but in downtown Hong Kong, they are a rare sight. To get in the mood for a wintry Christmas, however, visitors of all ages pummelled rivals with fake snowballs, as part of the Swire Properties’ White Christmas street fair last week. The fair was held in Tong Chong Street, Taikoo Place, from December 1 to 3. A Swire spokeswoman called its latest street fair event “Hong Kong’s first ever outdoor snowball fight” – though only fake snow was... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education-community/article/2053545/hong-kong-snowball-battle-puts-visitors-festive?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education-community/article/2053545/hong-kong-snowball-battle-puts-visitors-festive?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 10 Dec 2016 09:24:03 +0000 For the 12th year in a row, Jim ­Burkett donned a fake white beard and a Santa hat to entertain both children and adults, rounding off a day of fun and charity on Lamma Island. The Lamma resident said he was intrigued by the gift requests he received from children. “The best thing is when kids ask me for presents,” he said. “A seven year old once asked me for a yacht. Another wanted peace in the world.” For more than a decade, ­Burkett has played Santa during the closing ceremony of the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education-community/article/2052509/biking-running-and-treasure-hunts-day-fun-lamma?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education-community/article/2052509/biking-running-and-treasure-hunts-day-fun-lamma?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 07 Dec 2016 04:30:00 +0000 Christmas came early this year for the needy children of some of the city’s migrant mothers. Myo Schollum, a managing director at Credit Suisse, dressed up as Santa Claus at charity Pathfinders on Friday to hand out presents to delighted youngsters. Schollum, visibly moved by the happiness of the children around him, said the event was about making a difference. “We could all have grown up facing the same difficulties,” he said. Every year Credit Suisse ­selects a charity to benefit from money... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education-community/article/2052142/santa-pays-early-visit-children-refugees-and?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education-community/article/2052142/santa-pays-early-visit-children-refugees-and?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 06 Dec 2016 05:15:45 +0000 Christmas is about more than receiving presents, but in an ideal world no child would wake up on December 25 without at least one gift-wrapped toy waiting under the tree. For the 19th consecutive year, Bank of America Merrill Lynch is working to help underprivileged children in Hong Kong enjoy some Christmas cheer, this year with a toy collection event. Between November 14 and 25, the bank’s employees gathered more than 5,000 toys for some of the beneficiaries of Operation Santa Claus, the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education-community/article/2051585/bank-looks-spread-christmas-cheer-toy-collection?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education-community/article/2051585/bank-looks-spread-christmas-cheer-toy-collection?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 04 Dec 2016 08:30:15 +0000 Broker Andrew Sullivan swapped his usual suit and tie combination for an orc costume to play squash against surgeons, ballerinas and even Super Mario to raise money for a worthy cause. The annual Wing Ding Squash Tournament encourages players to dress in comical outfits and sweat it out to help the underprivileged. The tournament’s slogan is “Going balls to the walls for Hong Kong’s most needy”. Sullivan, a member of the Hong Kong Yacht Club, said he cherishes the tournament as an opportunity to... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education-community/article/2051475/making-racket-fancy-dress-hong-kong-charity?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education-community/article/2051475/making-racket-fancy-dress-hong-kong-charity?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 03 Dec 2016 12:00:37 +0000 Rachel Lockhart Road probably isn’t my preferred Friday night destination, but I’ll admit I’ve sampled the varied nightlife there on more than a handful of occasions this year. The strip’s neon signs offering “Dancing Girls” are crass but generally inoffensive. The real seediness is happening behind closed doors. Some middle-aged female door staff seem surprised when I ask whether I can watch a dance show, but tell me it will cost HK$100, which includes one drink. I politely decline. Sex workers... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/economy/article/2051210/exploring-wan-chais-red-light-district-male-and-female?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/economy/article/2051210/exploring-wan-chais-red-light-district-male-and-female?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 03 Dec 2016 00:01:17 +0000 The streets were decked with festive lights, shoppers milled around with Santa hats perched on their heads and Christmas carols were sung on every corner last weekend, at the first of two charity Christmas fairs organised by major Hong Kong property developer Swire. Visitors to Swire Properties’ White Christmas Street Fair, held in Starstreet Precinct, Wan Chai on November 25 and 26, could purchase gifts from an array of festive tailor-made items, including personalised candy jars, wooden... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education-community/article/2050422/merry-mix-music-food-and-gifts-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education-community/article/2050422/merry-mix-music-food-and-gifts-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 30 Nov 2016 06:50:56 +0000