Teens In Mentor Programme Urged To "pay It Forward"

Chief Secretary Eric Chan on Saturday called on teenagers taking part in a government pilot scheme targeting inter-generational poverty to give back to the programme.

Officiating at a ceremony to mark the launch of the Strive and Rise Programme, Chan noted an overwhelming response to the one-year scheme which aims to help underprivileged form one to form three students.

A total of 2,800 secondary school students will take part in the programme, 40 percent more than the government's intended recruitment target of 2,000.

The programme has garnered support from 122 enterprises and organisations, and raised around HK$140 million, which Chan said would help expand the scheme.

The chief secretary also said he hoped that participating students would make good use of the one-year programme.

"After a year when you've all graduated from the scheme, you'll join what we call an alumni club, in order to maintain and expand social networks," Chan said.

"Of course, we want everyone to be able to take part in volunteer work, and we look forward to having you as our mentors in a few years' time when you grow up, to help others in need. This is how Hong Kong can become a society that helps and cares for one another."

Under the programme, participants will each be paired with a mentor from different sectors to guide them in different skills, such as life planning and financing, and undergo training sessions and activities.

They will receive HK$5,000 for spending to achieve their own personal development plan, and will receive another HK$5,000 after completing the programme.