Tung Wah Group of Hospitals

Since 2007, Hope Development Accounts Program (HDA) co-organized by Tung Wah Group of Hospitals (TWGHs) and Citi has successfully helped 130 underprivileged women from low-income families or families on Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) to improve their employment prospects and self-confidence. On April 19, the initiative received the Outstanding Partnership Project Award 2010-11 under the Caring Company Scheme from The Hong Kong Council of Social Service in recognition of the contribution of TWGHs and Citi to the underprivileged.

The Program provides sustainable, long-term benefits for the community by presenting an innovative and practical solution to Hong Kong’s poverty problems. It has emerged from many competing entries to take the award, reflecting recognition by the judging panel, comprised of experts representing different community sectors, for having fully met the criteria for winning the accolade.

With the support of Zeshan Foundation and Partnership Fund for the Disadvantaged, HDA is co-organized by TWGHs’ Jockey Club Tin Shui Wai Integrated Service Centre and Citi. It helps women from low-income and CSSA families to set up savings accounts. Participants deposit savings of between HK$200 and HK$500 into their accounts every month, which are then matched by Citi for a period of two years. A mentor support network and training on personal, financial and occupational skills are also provided to encourage participants to become self-sustainable and improve their quality of life in the long term.

The success of HDA is attributable to the cooperative efforts among Citi, TWGHs and Zeshan Foundation. TWGHs’ Jockey Club Tin Shui Wai Integrated Service Centre provides training in financial management and career counselling. In addition to funding, Citi helps the participants to develop a good understanding of financial management through training sessions conducted by their senior executives. The Bank also encourages its staff to understand the needs of the participants by working with them as mentors. Moreover, the Program receives academic support from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University with assistance in program design, implementation and evaluation.

According to a report on the effectiveness of HDA, the initiative has achieved remarkable results by successfully helping over 90% of the participants to pursue their life goals and dreams, improve family relationships, rebuild self esteem, enhance employability and reduce the need for reliance on CSSA. The Program has now been extended to cover Tin Shui Wai, Tuen Mun and Ap Lei Chau districts. A feasibility study on a microfinance scheme is also underway with the objective of developing a viable model well-tailored to the needs of disadvantaged groups in Hong Kong.

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For further information, please contact:

Citi

Kathy Cheung Tel: 2868 7763

Diane Lam Tel: 2868 8989

TWGHs

Andy Chong Tel: 2859 7452

The Hon. Prof. K C Chan, Acting Financial Secretary (5th from left) and Kennedy Liu, Hong Kong Council of Social Service Chairperson (1st from right) presents the “Outstanding Partnership Project Award 2010-11” to Alvin Mak, Head of Markets & Banking for Hong Kong, Citi (4th from right), and Charles Chang, Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Chairman (2nd from right).

Alvin Mak, Head of Markets & Banking for Hong Kong, Citi (Back Row, 6th from left), and Charles Chang, Tung Wah Group of Hospitals’ (TWGHs) Chairman (Back Row, 5th from right) celebrate the “Outstanding Partnership Project Award 2010-11” win for Hope Development Accounts Program together with Citi and TWGHs employees.