CapitaLand Builds Two New Hope Schools in China
2007-10-25
Shanghai, 25 October 2007 – Two old schools in Sichuan Province and Guangdong Province respectively will get a new lease of life in 2008, when CapitaLand rebuild them as part of its corporate social responsibility efforts in China. To be named CapitaLand Ma Cao Hope School and CapitaLand Shi Nan Hope School, these two schools is part of the CapitaLand Hope Schools Project launched in 2004. When the schools are completed by September 2008, CapitaLand will have a total of 5 Hope Schools in China. Details of the new schools were unveiled today at Raffles City Shanghai in the presence of Singapore Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong.
CapitaLand Ma Cao Hope School will be located in Beichuan County of Sichuan Province. CapitaLand plans to give the original Ma Cao Village School, built in 1977, a thorough makeover, which will include a bigger school compound to cope with the growing school population. Students will also get to enjoy better school facilities, such as more classrooms, bigger dormitories and canteens. The school currently has 254 students and 13 teachers.
CapitaLand Shi Nan Hope School will be located in Qingxin County, one of the poorest counties in Guangdong Province. The original Shi Nan School was built in 1978 in a remote mountainous region. Taking into consideration the harsh physical conditions, CapitaLand will be providing the students with a much safer schooling environment. Living and learning facilities will also be significantly improved for its 125 students and 5 teachers.
Mr Lim Ming Yan, CEO of CapitaLand China, said: “Since 2004, we have built one school per year on average. 2008 is the first year that CapitaLand China will build two schools simultaneously. This is in line with CapitaLand’s credo of Building People. We are building homes, offices, retail malls and services residences all around the world, so we want to make use of our expertise and domain knowledge to also build schools, hospitals and homes for needy children. Education is the key to a better future for these children. We’ll continue to do our part.”
As part of CapitaLand’s philanthropic efforts, CapitaLand Hope Foundation also contributed in aid of Beijing Disabled Persons Rehabilitation Service & Guidance Centre earlier this month in Beijing.
In conjunction with the ongoing Singapore Season in Shanghai, CapitaLand is proud to be the event sponsor of the opening-night performance by Singapore Dance Theatre at the Shanghai Grand Theatre; Singapore Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong is the Guest of Honour.
Original Ma Cao Village School built in 1977 at Ma Cao Village, Beichuan County, Mianyang City of Sichuan Province.
Original Shi Nan School built in 1978 at Shitan Town, Qingxin County, Qingyuan City of Guangdong Province.
CapitaLand Huangmaoling Hope School built in 2005 at Huangmaoling, Yuanyang County of Yunnan Province.
