CityU and UNICEF join hands to care for tsunami-affected children

Damged homes, agonized faces, tearful eyes, heart-breaking sights ...

 

Since 26 December, our hearts have been deeply saddened by the devastating tsunamis in South Asia. Not only has the catastrophe caused thousands of children to lose their families and homes, it will also seriously hinder their growth and development. To help relieve the grief and suffering of these bereaved children, CityU has joined hands with UNICEF to organize a fundraising campaign to provide education kits for tsunami-affected children.

 

Aid of all kinds is desperately needed to help children cope with the tragedy. “As an educational institution, we are concerned about children’s development,” said Professor Y S Wong, Vice-President for Administration and Convenor of the CityU Support Group for South Asian Tsunami Victims. “We appeal to all students, staff and alumni to support this fundraising campaign to help in the relief and rehabilitation of these deprived children.” The money will be used to prepare education kits to help affected children learn to express their fears and emotions. Through the making of visual images, it is hoped that the children can recover from painful emotions stemming from this traumatic experience.

 

“The CityU community is united in coordinating this meaningful campaign in such a short time. Education is the basic right for all children. I hope we can do something to restore normalcy to the education of children in the disaster areas,” said Mr Eric Chu, Vice-President (External Affairs) of the Students' Union. “In just a few hours after I send out an email recruiting voluntary workers, over 50 students replied and promised to help. I’m very impressed by the enthusiastic response from our fellow students.”  

 

You and your family members are encouraged to make donations through the following methods:

 

l          Deduction from salary. Staff can complete the Salary Deduction From ( Form A ) and send it to the University’s Finance Office (Payroll) so that their donation can be deducted from their February salary;

l          Direct bank transfer to CityU's Hang Seng Bank account number 024-293-5-184701;

l          By cheque made payable to "City University of Hong Kong" and send to the Finance Office; and

l          By cash donation to the donation boxes on campus. The boxes are available at various catering outlets, the Red Gate Counter, the Cut Price Shop, the Shroff's Office, the Student Residences,

 and Telford Annex

 

For donations of HK$100 or above through direct bank transfer or by cheque, please fill in  Form B to obtain a receipt whereas for donations through direct deduction from salary, please fill in the Salary Deduction Form. The University will make arrangements for UNICEF to issue a tax deductible receipt. 

 

Next week, representatives from the Students' Union and the CityU Postgraduate Association will also call for donations at the Students Canteen and Lecture Theatres.

 

In addition to monetary donations, UNICEF needs volunteers to assist with clerical duties. Interested parties can contact UNICEF’s Ms Noris Lai on 2833 6139.

 

Ms Grace Ng, Student Residence Coordinator for the Student Develoepment Services (SDS), has been working as a volunteer for a local Christian organization in support of tsunami relief efforts.

“I was overwhelmed by the level of death and devastation in the disaster. My heart feels so sad and I couldn’t sleep seeing so many people, especially young children, lose their lives," Ms Ng said. "Although it’s tiring to take up extra work in the evening, I find it very worthwhile and meaningful to be able to contribute my part to help the sufferers."

 

 

The "CityU Support Group for South Asian Tsunami Victims" was set up to facilitate assistance to the victims and any members of the CityU family who may have been affected by the disaster. Counsellors from SDS and the Professional Personal Consultation Service of the Hong Kong Christian Service are ready to assist those who have been emotionally disturbed by the traumatic events.

 

Students who need counselling should contact Ms Holly Wong, phone 2788 8479, email sohwong@cityu.edu. hk. For staff counselling, contact Mrs Eva Ng, phone 2788 9249, email hreng@cityu.edu.hk, or call the Hong Kong Christian Service hotline at 2721 3939.

 

CityU Support Group for South Asian Tsunami Victims

 

 

Professor Y S Wong, Vice-President for Administration (Convenor)

Mrs Betty Chan, Communications Office

Ms Kathy Chan, Development and Alumni Relations Office

Ms Dora Lee, Office of the Vice-President for Administration

Ms Ada Leung, Finance Office

Mrs Eva Ng, Human Resources Office

Dr John Tse, Staff Association

Dr Ruth Yee, Student Development Services

Mr Kelvin Chan, Former President of Students' Union

Mr Eric Chu, External Vice-President of Students' Union