Foundation finds new focus for philanthropy and exchanges

In addition to the Siyuan Experimental School, the care and support offered by Hong Kong are reflected in the development of other educational institutions in Anyuan county, Jiangxi province.

Xiao Shuqiang, president of the Federation of Hong Kong Societies, has helped fund the construction of three campuses in the county since 2007. He has also offered scholarships to local high school graduates who excelled in their studies.

Other organizations, such as the United Hearts Youth Foundation, have also repaid the efforts Anyuan's residents have made to protect the Dongjiang River.

In 2013, the foundation donated 300,000 yuan ($46,000) to build a primary school in the county. It has funded more than 110 schools nationwide, 13 of them in Jiangxi.

Elvis Kwok, who is in charge of supporting mainland schools at the foundation, visited Anyuan four times in relation to the school's construction.

It was built on the site of an older establishment, and Kwok witnessed how the campus was transformed from a cluster of shabby buildings into a modern school.

Like many Hong Kong residents, Kwok thought the Dongjiang originated in Guangdong province.

However, after his trips to Anyuan, he realized that the source is in Jiangxi, and the local people have made tremendous efforts to protect the environment and ensure that the water is clean enough for people downstream to drink.

"The county could have developed faster, but it chose to go slower for the sake of the people who rely on the water. I really appreciate their sacrifice," he said.

Kwok has noticed that the overall environment of rural schools on the mainland has seen remarkable improvements in recent years as a result of the great importance local governments have attached to them.

In light of that, furthering exchanges between Hong Kong and mainland students has become his organization's new focus.

Before the COVID-19 epidemic, he had arranged for many students from Hong Kong's universities to undertake volunteer work in mainland schools the organization had helped build.

They brought new knowledge to local students, such as in English and fine arts, and inspired them to explore life beyond the mountains.

Kwok said he has been in touch with tens of thousands of rural students on the mainland, but none of them has ever been to Hong Kong.

When the epidemic ends, he plans to do more to help these children of the mountains visit Hong Kong and explore the city.

Since 2007, Kwok has visited seven mainland provinces to build schools. Through his work, he has gained knowledge about the mainland, such as the revolutionary history of the provinces of Hunan and Guizhou, and the cultures of ethnic groups in Yunnan province.

During his short stays, he has aimed to boost the development of education in the places he has visited, and he has usually received great assistance from local people.

Experiencing such mutual support has been the greatest treasure of his work, he said.