Over 500 NWDS Volunteers Offer Caring Tutorials to more than 1,600 Under-resourced Schoolchildren
New World Department Store China Limited ("NWDS" or the "Company"; Hong Kong stock code: 825), one of the largest owners and operators of department store in the PRC, concluded its two-month nationwide volunteer campaign, "NWDS Tutoring Program", with satisfaction in late June. Over 530 NWDS volunteers have participated in the program, contributing 1,500 service hours and benefiting about 1,600 schoolchildren across the nation. The program is well received for being able to improve students' academic, as well as to strengthen their self-confidence and help them build a positive learning and living attitude.
"NWDS Tutoring Program" was launched in April and rolled out in 18 cities across the country. NWDS stores and offices partnered with their local non-profit organizations to organize tutorial class to under-resourced schoolchildren on a weekly basis. Beneficiaries included students from kindergartens, primary schools as well as orphans and handicaps. In these two months, volunteers put in much effort in designing the curriculum and incorporated interactive elements such as games and storytelling to raise students' interest in learning. In addition, stores like Beijing New World Trendy Department Store and Shenyang New World Department Store - Zhonghua Road Branch Store especially organized books and school supplies donation activities to provide material assistance to under-resourced schoolchildren. Under volunteers' wholehearted guidance, students have achieved progressive improvement in their studies. Many parents and students reported good news to volunteers with much gratitude.
Apart from the tutorials, NWDS attaches great importance to student's comprehensive development and thus it also organized many art or music related activities accordingly. Through storytelling and picture showcasing, Anshan New World Department Store inspired students to create their artworks which were later on displayed in the store. Beijing New World Liying Department Store cooperated with Wangjing Street Volunteer Office to organize a community event called "24 Stories of Filial Devotion" to educate children to be respectful to their mothers. Hong Kong Office recently arranged a farm visit for new immigrant children and their families after examination to experience green living and broaden their horizon.
Beneficiary organizations expressed their heartfelt thanks to NWDS's enthusiastic assistance. Carol Lee, Manager of Social Services Department of Christian Action expressed her appreciation to our volunteers, "NWDS volunteers persistently provided weekly tutorial classes to new immigrant children after work. The effort and commitment is much bigger and larger, fully showcasing NWDS as a social responsible corporation. With the kind assistance from NWDS volunteers, 15 new immigrant children have shown noticeable improvement in their studies."
Rebecca Woo, Director of Corporate Affairs and Chairman of Sustainability Steering Committee of NWDS said, "NWDS Tutoring Program is the Company's first unified volunteer activity across the country. The success of the program attributes to the selfless contributions and enthusiastic support of over 530 volunteers from stores and offices in 18 cities. Not only did our volunteers dedicate their valuable time for the tutorial itself, but they also put extra effort in nurturing the next generation by making thought-through activity and teaching arrangements. Through the program, we aim to help under-resourced students and elevate our volunteers' awareness for the community at the same time. Riding this successful experience, we will continue to unify our nationwide volunteer force and organize more sustainable community activities to raise public awareness on under-resourced children in order to help them in a long run. "