國際培幼會「愛•女孩」「筆•生幸福」鉛筆捐贈活動
「愛•女孩」大使楊諾思小姐、廖本懷夫人、鄭麗莎小姐及
國際培幼會大使張堅庭先生應邀出席「國際女童日啟動禮」
atest Because I am a Girl Ambassadors Ms. Cindy Yeung, Mrs. Christine Liao, Ms. Lisa Cheng, and Plan Ambassador Mr. Alfred Cheung supported the Launch Ceremony of “International Day of the Girl Child” cum Kick-off of Plan Hong Kong “Because I am a Girl – Donate a Pencil Campaign”

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新聞稿（即時發佈）                     　          2013年10月10日

國際培幼會「愛•女孩」「筆•生幸福」鉛筆捐贈活動
「愛•女孩」大使楊諾思小姐、廖本懷夫人、鄭麗莎小姐及
國際培幼會大使張堅庭先生應邀出席「國際女童日啟動禮」

Photos: http://www.seedland.hk/press/plan/pencil/4/
Press release: http://www.seedland.hk/press/plan/pencil/4/PLAN_DaP_PostEvent_C_Final.doc

國際培幼會（香港）將於2013年10月21日至31日舉辦「愛•女孩」「筆•生幸福」鉛筆捐贈活動，呼籲市民捐出鉛筆，為落後地區的女孩提供最基本的學習工具，以進一步推廣「愛•女孩」行動及宣揚「愛•女孩」精神。屆時，一座以筆盒為設計藍本的巨型收集箱將座落於銅鑼灣希慎道33號利園寫字樓大堂地下，收集市民捐贈的鉛筆。為隆重其事，國際培幼會（香港）特別於2013年10月10日舉行「國際女童日*啟動禮」，並邀得國際培幼會大使及前受助人、著名導演張堅庭先生及三位「愛•女孩」大使出席，包括：英皇鐘錶珠寶有限公司主席楊諾思小姐、藝術教育家（芭蕾舞）廖本懷夫人（毛妹）太平紳士和著名運動員鄭麗莎小姐，共同為「愛•女孩」「筆•生幸福」鉛筆捐贈活動揭開序幕。

於啟動禮上，先由主禮嘉賓國際培幼會（香港）行政總裁詹文利先生為活動致歡迎辭，並向「愛•女孩」「筆•生幸福」鉛筆捐贈活動的場地贊助商希慎興業有限公司，以及活動的主要贊助商英皇珠寶致送感謝狀。今年已是英皇珠寶連續第四年贊助國際培幼會「愛•女孩」行動的活動，英皇鐘錶珠寶有限公司主席、「愛•女孩」大使楊諾思小姐於接受感謝狀後為大家致辭。其後，其餘兩位「愛•女孩」大使廖本懷夫人（毛妹）太平紳士、鄭麗莎小姐及國際培幼會大使張堅庭先生亦先後跟大家分享對是次活動的體會和感受，同時呼籲公眾齊心參與。緊隨其後，司儀邀請了一眾小女孩上台，與嘉賓們一同主持簡單而隆重的儀式，當大家把鉛筆徐徐倒進鉛筆收集箱後，便正式為「愛•女孩」「筆•生幸福」鉛筆捐贈活動揭開序幕。收集活動將於2013年10月21日正式展開，收集回來的鉛筆將由培幼會於聖誕節前轉贈到中國內地及非洲加納的女孩手上，於佳節為她們送上溫暖。

楊諾思小姐說：「身為一位母親，我特別明白教育對孩子的重要性，因此我十分認同國際培幼會『愛•女孩』行動的宗旨──給予女孩接受教育的權利，從而為女孩的生命帶來改變，活出燦爛人生。我們童年都嚮往過和珍惜過自己擁有的第一支鉛筆，我們亦希望把這份喜悅延伸到中國及加納，給予她們一份真摯的祝福。」

廖本懷夫人（毛妹）太平紳士說：「我從小喜歡芭蕾舞，大學畢業後有機會到英國深造，其後更能創辦自己的芭蕾舞學校，深深體會到夢想成真是一件非常值得高興的事。其實無論男女，無論身處甚麼地方，我相信每個小朋友都會有自己的夢想，希望大家都支持今次的鉛筆捐贈活動，令貧困地區的女孩可透過教育增值自己，努力追尋自己的夢想。」

鄭麗莎小姐說：「給予女孩接受教育的機會，可謂最能消除貧窮的方法。在香港，可能大家已不會再用鉛筆，但對落後地區的女孩而言，一支鉛筆已經代表一個希望，快找找家中被遺忘的鉛筆，把它們化成愛心吧！這將會是女孩們最窩心的聖誕禮物呢！」

張堅庭先生說：「我的經驗讓我明白教導小朋友做功課並不困難，教導他們待人接物才是最難。父母不妨多些與他們參與善事，因為即使年紀小，他們都能感受到幫助別人的快樂，亦藉著這些點滴，慢慢建立他們的正確價值觀。大家都邀請身邊的小朋友捐出鉛筆，一齊參加這個鉛筆捐贈活動吧！」

培幼會（香港）行政總裁詹文利先生表示：「繼國際婦女節和國際兒童日後，很高興我們終於成功爭取到『國際女童日』，以提升全球關注女孩正面臨的挑戰及她們被邊緣化的困境。『愛•女孩』『筆•生幸福』鉛筆捐贈活動讓香港的市民大眾可參與改善她們的生活，一支鉛筆對我們可能微不足道，卻可為這班女孩的生命帶來意想不到的改變。我謹代表國際培幼會（香港）誠邀大家的支持和參與！」

*註：聯合國自2012年起把每年10月11日訂為「國際女童日」，以喚起各界關注全球女孩所面臨的不平等待遇。今年國際女童日的關注重點為「女童的教育創新」，除「愛•女孩」「筆•生幸福」鉛筆捐贈活動外，國際培幼會亦於不同國家舉辦連串活動以作響應。

國際培幼會「愛•女孩」「筆•生幸福」鉛筆捐贈活動
日期：2013年10月21日至31日
地點：銅鑼灣希慎道33號利園寫字樓大堂地下
活動查詢：3583 3310 或 plan@seedland.hk

關於Plan國際培幼會「愛•女孩」「筆・生幸福」鉛筆捐贈活動
國際培幼會於2010年啟動了「愛•女孩」行動，邀請城中多位傑出女士擔任「愛•女孩」大使，包括藝術教育家（芭蕾舞）廖本懷夫人（毛妹）太平紳士、JEMS Learning House創辦人及校長劉馬露明女士、麥嘜麥兜漫畫動畫系列插畫師麥家碧小姐、2010年度十大傑出青年及三指鋼琴家黃愛恩博士、甄詠蓓戲劇工作室藝術總監甄詠蓓小姐、英皇鐘錶珠寶有限公司主席楊諾思小姐、中華電力有限公司副主席阮蘇少湄女士、著名運動員鄭麗莎小姐及餐廚藝術家謝寧小姐。「愛•女孩」行動過去數年籌辦過「愛•女孩」攝影比賽、「愛•女孩」籌款晚會、「愛•媽媽」「愛•女孩」培您成長大行動、「愛•女孩•齊舉手」等活動。而這次「愛•女孩」「筆•生幸福」鉛筆捐贈活動則是「愛•女孩」行動中最近期的一個活動。
關於Plan國際培幼會「愛•女孩」全球行動
「愛•女孩」行動旨在為全球數以百萬計生活在貧窮地區的女孩爭取應有的權利，免受性別及年齡的雙重歧視。培幼會透過此項全球行動，提升大眾對有關課題的關注，並為「愛•女孩」基金籌募善款，以支援協會於中國、尼泊爾、巴基斯坦及非洲加納等地進行教育、提升職業技能、輔導服務、小額貸款及其他社區項目，為當地女童及婦女爭取權益，讓她們的潛能得以充分發揮。有關國際培幼會的資料及「愛•女孩」行動詳情，或欲捐款予培幼會「愛•女孩」基金，可瀏覽網頁www.BecauseIamaGirl.org.hk。

關於Plan國際培幼會
國際培幼會於1937年成立，是全球其中一個規模最大的國際兒童慈善機構。協會總部設於英國，為世界各地超過一百五十萬名有需要的兒童及其家庭提供援助，並為約九百萬名居於協會工作地區的人士提供各方面的支援服務。協會於五十個發展中國家進行兒童發展計劃，服務遍及非洲、亞洲及美洲，並在全球二十一個國家地區設立捐助辦事處。計劃主要集中在兒童的教育、健康、生活環境、生計及建立關係方面，希望能長遠地改善孩子們的生活質素。

發稿：Plan國際培幼會  　　 代行：一口田有限公司
電話：3583 3100 　           傳真：3583 1331　     電郵：plan@seedland.hk
如欲查詢詳情，歡迎致電3583 3233與Mr. Robin Tang或3583 3310與Miss Heidi Lam聯絡。
有關Plan國際培幼會的查詢，歡迎致電3405 5316與Ms. Wendy Tsui聯絡。

Press Release (For Immediate Release)                      10th October 2013

Latest Because I am a Girl Ambassadors Ms. Cindy Yeung, Mrs. Christine Liao, Ms. Lisa Cheng, and Plan Ambassador Mr. Alfred Cheung supported the Launch Ceremony of “International Day of the Girl Child” cum Kick-off of Plan Hong Kong “Because I am a Girl – Donate a Pencil Campaign”

Photos: http://www.seedland.hk/press/plan/pencil/4/
Press release: http://www.seedland.hk/press/plan/pencil/4/PLAN_DaP_PostEvent_E_final.doc

Plan Hong Kong has specially organised the “Because I am a Girl (BIAAG) – Donate a Pencil Campaign” from 21st to 31st October 2013, with the dual purpose of providing the most basic tool in education for underprivileged girls and to draw the public’s attention to girls’ rights and the unique challenges girls face around the world. A gigantic pencil case will be set up on the Ground Floor, Office Lobby of The Lee Gardens, 33 Hysan Avenue, Causeway Bay, to collect pencils donated by the public. To mark the occasion, Plan Hong Kong specially held a Launch Ceremony of “International Day of the Girl Child*” on 10th October 2013 to kick off the “BIAAG – Donate a Pencil Campaign”. Plan Ambassador Mr. Alfred Cheung, renowned film director and an ex-beneficiary of Plan, BIAAG Ambassadors Ms. Cindy Yeung, Chairperson of Emperor Watch and Jewellery, Mrs. Christine Liao, JP, Arts Educator (Ballet), and Ms. Lisa Cheng, renowned athlete, joined the ceremony.

To commence the ceremony, Mr. James Murray delivered an opening speech and presented certificates of gratitude to Hysan Development Company Limited, the venue sponsor of “BIAAG – Donate a Pencil Campaign”, and Emperor Jewellery, the main sponsor of the campaign. This year marks the fourth consecutive year that Emperor Jewellery supported Plan BIAAG campaign. Ms. Cindy Yeung, BIAAG Ambassador and Chairperson of Emperor Watch and Jewellery, gave a speech followed by sharing and appeals from Mrs. Christine Liao, Ms. Lisa Cheng, and Mr. Alfred Cheung. Without skipping a beat, the master of ceremony then invited a group of little girls to come on stage to join the Ambassadors in officiating the kick-off ceremony of the “BIAAG – Donate a Pencil Campaign” by pouring pencils into the collecting box. The collecting period will start on 21st October 2013 and the pencils collected will be donated to the underprivileged girls in Mainland China and Ghana by this coming Christmas.

Ms. Cindy Yeung said, “As a mom, I am especially aware of the importance of education for children. Thus, I am moved with the aim of Plan BIAAG campaign – to fight for and promote girls’ rights in education so that they can make changes in their lives and have a brighter future. We all treasure our first pencil in childhood. We hope to extend this joy to disadvantaged girls in Mainland China and Ghana with our sincere blessings!”

Mrs. Christine Liao said, “I have always liked ballet and I am glad to have the opportunity to study ballet in the UK. Subsequently I founded my own ballet school and truly understand the feeling of ‘dream comes true’. I believe all children, regardless their gender or race, have their own dreams. With your support, girls in poor regions would be able to add value through education and to pursue their dreams.”

Ms. Lisa Cheng said, “Giving girls access to education is one of the best ways in eradicating poverty. Pencils may not be essential to most of us in Hong Kong but they are not only a writing tool, but a hope to the underprivileged girls. Let’s turn our unused pencils into love. I am sure these would be the most gratifying Christmas gifts for the girls in need.”

Mr. Alfred Cheung said, “My experience taught me that nurturing children to be respectful and responsible is much more difficult than helping them with their homework. Mom and Dad may take this chance to get their children involved in charity work. Even children as young as kindergarteners can also feel the joy of helping others and, eventually values are instilled in them. Thus I would like to call upon your and your children’s support at this donation campaign!”

Mr. James Murray, Chief Executive Officer of Plan International Hong Kong, said, “After the International Women’s Day and an International Day of the Child, we finally have the International Day of the Girl Child – a day that recognises the unique challenges for girls as the most marginalised and discriminated group. The ‘BIAAG – Donate a Pencil Campaign’ held by Plan Hong Kong allows us to take part in supporting the underprivileged girls. Although a pencil may seem humble, its impact on the future of these girls is immeasurable. On behalf of Plan Hong Kong, I would like to call upon your support in joining us to make this campaign an unqualified success!”

*Remarks: The United Nations declared 11th October as “International Day of the Girl Child (Day of the Girl)” in 2012 to increase awareness of the gender-based discrimination faced by girls worldwide that leads to violence and trafficking among other abuses. The theme for the Day of the Girl 2013 is “Innovating Girls’ Education”, besides “Because I am a Girl (BIAAG) – Donate a Pencil Campaign”, various kinds of events will also be held by Plan International across the world for the Day of the Girl.

 “Because I am a Girl (BIAGG) – Donate a Pencil Campaign”
Date: 21st to 31st October, 2013
Venue: G/F, Office Lobby of The Lee Gardens, 33 Hysan Avenue, Causeway Bay
Enquiries: 3583 3310 or plan@seedland.hk

About Plan Hong Kong “Because I am a Girl – Donate a Pencil Campaign”
In 2010, Plan International Hong Kong launched the Because I am a Girl (BIAAG) campaign, inviting a number of leading Hong Kong business women in town to be BIAAG Ambassadors including Mrs. Christine Liao, JP, Arts Educator (Ballet); Mrs. Christine Ma-Lau, founder and principal of JEMS Learning House; Ms. Alice Mak, the creator of popular cartoon characters McMug and McDull; Dr. Connie Wong, “The Pianist with Three Fingers” and winner of the 2010 Ten Outstanding Young Persons Award; Ms. Olivia Yan, artistic director of O Theatre Workshop; Ms. Cindy Yeung, Chairperson of Emperor Watch and Jewellery; Ms. Betty Yuen, vice chairman of CLP Power Hong Kong Limited; Ms. Lisa Cheng, renowned athlete; and Ms. Charlene Tse, renowned culinary artist. Different events has been held to support BIAAG in successive the years, namely the BIAAG Photo competition, BIAAG Charity Show, “Love.Mothers” “Love.Girls” campaign as well as the “Raise Your Hand” (RYH) campaign. The “BIAAG – Donate a Pencil Campaign” is the latest in the series of initiatives to support BIAAG.

About Plan Because I am a Girl Global Campaign
Because I am a Girl (BIAAG) is Plan’s global campaign to fight age and gender inequality, to protect and promote girls' rights, and lift millions out of poverty. Besides raising public awareness, BIAAG also raises funds in support of the improvement of education and vocational skills, provision of counseling services and microfinance loans, and other community projects benefiting and empowering girls and women in China, Nepal, Pakistan and Ghana to help them reach their full potential. More information about Plan International, BIAAG, and about how to make a donation in support of the organisation’s BIAAG initiatives, can be found at www.BecauseIamaGirl.org.hk.

About Plan International
Established in 1937, Plan International is one of the world’s leading development organisations, specifically focused on children. Headquartered in the UK, Plan supports more than 1.5 million children and their families and indirectly supports a further 9 million people who live in communities that are working with Plan. Plan works in 50 developing countries across Africa, Asia and the Americas, supported by fundraising offices in 21 countries. The organisation’s programmes concentrate on making real, positive and lasting improvements to quality of life in the areas of education, health, environment and livelihood, and on helping children to realise their full potential in societies that respect their rights and dignity.

For any media enquiries, please contact:
Seedland International Limited
Mr. Robin Tang (3583 3310) or Miss Heidi Lam (3583 3310) or by email to plan@seedland.hk

For any enquiries about Plan Hong Kong, please contact Ms. Wendy Tsui, Director, Marketing & Communications (3405 5316)

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