Commit to Change
The world's local bank- USA – Higher education support for students
- France – HSBC Education Foundation
- Korea – Island Watch for a Future Generation
- Malaysia – Reading and Writing Programme
- UK – Thriftwood school
- New Zealand – The Gifted Kids Programme
- China – Rural teacher training course
- UK – Kielder Challenge
- Singapore – Youth Excellence Initiative
- Australia – HSBCkids
- UK and Korea – Outward Bound
- USA – Boys & Girls Clubs of America
- Global – Future First: Investing in our children
- UK – On-line mathematics
- South Africa – Disadvantaged schools
- Brazil – HSBC Solidarity Institute
- USA – Jumpstart
- Thailand – HSBC children's book
- UK – Tall Ships Youth Trust
- China and Hong Kong – Mainland/Hong Kong Exchange Programme in Special Education
- Malta and the UK – Eco-Schools
- UK – HSBC scholars
- India – Madhapur Mandal school
- UK – School governors
- Hong Kong, China, and Brazil – Zippy's Friends
- USA and UK – Teach for America/Teach First
- Canada – York University scholarship fund
- UK – Sailing Academies
- China – Soaring under the sun
- China – HSBC China Charity Federation Fund
China – Soaring under the sun
The Hongkong Bank Foundation donated US$395,000 to the Shanghai Charity Foundation in 2006, to give young people who had dropped out of school the chance to get educational qualifications and increase their ability to find a well-paid job.
The 'Soaring under the sun' project provided senior high school-level diploma education and vocational skills training to 800 15-22 year olds in Shanghai from very low income families (below US$70 per month). All had dropped out of junior high school and could not find a stable job. After the 18 month course, diplomas and certificates were awarded to 663 students who had passed all the tests and, by August 2007, 499 of them had been employed by companies such as Volkswagen and China Unicom, on an average income of US$200-250 per month. Following the successful outcome of this project, the Shanghai Municipal Education Commission will fund the programme from now on.
Read stories of two of the students
Wu Jianfeng's father died when he was young; his mother was laid off and the family income was just US$40 per month. He dropped out of school at 15 but could not find a job and was very disheartened. He studied hard when given the chance to take part in the 'Soaring under the sun' programme, and has found a job in the catering department of the Shanghai World Expo hotel. Here he earns US$200 per month and is full of hope for the future.
Dai Chaodong became a troublemaker and spent all his time on the internet after dropping out of school. His parents were both laid off and lived on the government minimum and his life was very unhappy. Taking part in the 'Soaring under the sun' programme restored his self-respect and has led to a job with a local company. His father said, 'We're so grateful to HSBC for giving our son this opportunity. It gives strength and happiness back to our family.' Dai commented, 'I have been through a nightmare and woken to see the sunshine. I will remember this bad experience and live responsibly from now on.'
