Plan國際培幼會「愛．女孩」行動

廖本懷夫人毛妹太平紳士、馬露明、黃愛恩、楊諾思、甄詠蓓、鄭麗莎、謝寧
全力支持Plan國際培幼會「愛．女孩」行動暨攝影比賽啟動禮
集結社會力量關注女孩福祉

新聞稿（即時發佈）　　　2010年11月20日

擁有七十多年歷史、以長遠改善孩子生活質素為宗旨的Plan國際培幼會，於2010年11月20日下午舉行「愛．女孩」行動暨攝影比賽啟動禮，並邀請多位城中傑出女士，包括藝術教育家（芭蕾舞）廖本懷夫人毛妹太平紳士、JEMS Learning House創辦人及校長馬露明小姐、2010年度十大傑出青年及三指鋼琴家黃愛恩博士、英皇鐘錶珠寶集團董事總經理楊諾思女士、PIP文化產業藝術總監甄詠蓓女士、著名運動員鄭麗莎小姐及餐廚藝術家謝寧小姐，聯同國際培幼會（香港）董事局成員陳達文博士、Mr. Kerry McGlynn和馮定中先生，以及國際培幼會（香港）行政總裁詹文利先生一同主持啟動儀式，為關注女孩福祉啟航。

Plan國際培幼會是全球其中一個規模最大的國際兒童慈善機構，其發動的全球性「愛．女孩」行動，旨在為世界上最貧窮的女孩們改善生活。而為了進一步提升大眾對於有關課題的關注，Plan國際培幼會（香港）舉辦了「愛．女孩」攝影比賽，誠邀各界人士以「愛．女孩」為主題，以獨特的觀察力、細膩的觸覺、關愛的心，及敏銳的鏡頭，表達「愛．女孩」的真正意義。是次活動，得到多位關注女孩福祉的著名傑出女士大力支持，擔任「愛．女孩」大使及攝影比賽的評判，並且不遺餘力出席是次啟動禮。

11月20日下午舉行的啟動禮於銅鑼灣wtc more世貿中心舉行，活動先由香港敲擊樂大師梁榮華先生(Ban哥哥)及激鼓樂社打響頭炮，其後，主持梁奕倫邀請國際培幼會（香港）董事局成員陳達文博士上台致辭，再由國際培幼會（香港）行政總裁詹文利先生上台向多位擔任「愛．女孩」大使的女士，包括：廖本懷夫人毛妹太平紳士、馬露明小姐、黃愛恩博士、楊諾思女士、甄詠蓓女士、鄭麗莎小姐、謝寧小姐，以及於活動當日未能出席的中華電力有限公司副主席阮蘇少湄女士及麥嘜麥兜漫畫動畫系列插畫師麥家碧小姐致謝。

緊隨其後，嘉賓們逐一上台分享她們作為女性在尋找理想方面的經歷及成功故事，並表達對世界上仍有待爭取平等待遇的女孩無限鼓勵與祝福。最後，眾大使連同另外四位主禮嘉賓：陳達文博士、Mr. Kerry McGlynn、馮定中先生，以及詹文利先生一同拉動絲帶，為巨型的「愛．女孩」相簿啟封，象徵「愛．女孩」行動暨攝影比賽正式展開。

活動大使謝寧女士更特別捐出其個人品牌「曲奇四重奏」的曲奇，贊助Plan國際培幼會作為義賣之用，同場亦有設計精美的培幼會T-shirt及豬仔錢箱義賣，所有收益撥捐培幼會「愛．女孩」基金，以支持中國、加納、尼泊爾及巴基斯坦等地之社區項目，包括教育、職業培訓、輔導及小額貸款方面的服務。

國際培幼會（香港）行政總裁詹文利先生表示：「香港是個公平的大都會，但全球各地仍有無數女孩因性別問題而遭受不平等對待，除了被奪去接受教育和保健服務等權利，更面對暴力及精神虐待等威脅。很高興這次『愛．女孩』行動得到多位優秀女士的大力支持，對協會上下亦是很大的鼓勵，衷心希望能藉此為落後地區的女孩出一分力，為她們謀求更好的生活。」

廖本懷夫人為女孩送上「機會」二字，她表示：「我是教導芭蕾舞的，常會接觸女孩子，亦十分疼愛她們。當知道女孩子在世上不少國家仍欠缺地位，真希望能盡一分力為他們爭取公平對待。相信若所有女孩子享有與男孩子同等的教育及發展機會時，他們的成就將會更高，對社會的貢獻亦將更大。」

馬露明小姐為女孩送上「夢想」二字：「我很喜歡小孩，深信不論性別，所有小孩子都應享有同等受教育、盡展潛能的機會。我幸運地可追尋自己的夢想，成立品德教育中心JEMS Learning House，但願大家也能幫助其他女孩，讓她們享有平等機會，成就自己的夢想。」

黃愛恩博士出生時雖只有三根完整手指，但仍能克服重重困難，成為出色的鋼琴家，她為女孩獻上「自信」二字：「我經歷過不少困難，從中學懂了如何堅強面對，也希望正過?艱辛生活的女孩們能依然抱有自信；只要不輕言放棄，總有機會渡過難關，闖出一片天。」

楊諾思女士的丈夫張堅庭，小時為Plan國際培幼會的受助人之一，故此她對Plan早有認識，對是次活動的理念更是十分認同，她為女孩子獻上「栽培」二字：「作為寶石鑒定師，我知道每粒小碎石經雕琢後，都有可能成為閃耀的寶石；正如每一個被剝削的女孩子，只要給予適當的栽培，亦可創出燦爛人生。」

甄詠蓓女士為女孩們送上「美」一字：「身為舞台劇導演及演員，深深明白到女孩和男孩都有各自的優點和缺點，但願我們能盡一分力，令這世界更公平，當我們多點關愛這些女孩子，世界定將變得更美。」

鄭麗莎小姐誠意送上「愛」字予女孩們：「活於香港，我能選擇自己喜歡做的事──成為運動員；但據我所知，全球人口販賣的受害者有80%為女性。當自己的生命也不由自主時，又如何談理想呢？希望大家也能盡一分力，為女孩爭取多點機會、給予她們多點愛！」

早前跟隨Plan國際培幼會到中國陝西探訪的謝寧女士，這天為女孩送上「希望」二字：「探訪活動讓我親身體會到，Plan國際培幼會的工作真的很有意義。我個人亦有透過培幼會助養女童，希望大家也可一起參與，給予女孩子機會及希望，讓她們譜出傑出人生。」

關於「愛．女孩」攝影比賽
為了進一步提升大眾對於「愛．女孩」的關注，並集結社會力量支持有關行動，Plan國際培幼會特別於香港舉辦「愛．女孩」攝影比賽，誠邀各界人士以「愛．女孩」為主題，透過鏡頭表達「愛．女孩」的真正意義。比賽分設小學低級組、小學高級組、初中組、高中組及公開組，每組設冠軍、亞軍、季軍、最受公眾歡迎獎各一名，歡迎廣大市民踴躍參加。經評選入圍的作品將於2011年3月張貼於Plan國際培幼會的Facebook接受公眾投票，讓大眾一同投選心中最切合「愛．女孩」主題的作品。由即日起，只需透過Plan國際培幼會「愛．女孩」官方網站www.BecauseIamaGirl.org.hk的連結，下載並填妥參加表格，連同作品電郵至 info@seedland.hk便可參賽。參賽照片的拍攝形式不限，惟作品須符合A4尺寸及不低於300dpi的像素，並以jpeg數碼照片形式遞交。為表揚得獎者的傑出表現，大會更會於2011年4月2日舉辦頒獎典禮及攝影展，公開展出所有得獎作品。

關於Plan國際培幼會
Plan國際培幼會於1937年成立，是全球其中一個規模最大的國際兒童慈善機構。協會總部設於英國，為世界各地超過一百五十萬名有需要的兒童及其家庭提供援助，並為約九百萬名居於協會工作地區的人士提供各方面的支援服務。協會於四十八個發展中國家進行兒童發展計劃，服務遍及非洲、亞洲及美洲，並在全球二十一個國家地區設立捐助辦事處。計劃主要集中在兒童的教育、健康、生活環境、生計及建立關係方面，希望能長遠地改善孩子們的生活質素。

發稿：Plan國際培幼會　　代行：一口田有限公司
電話：3583 3100 　傳真：3583 1331　電郵：info@seedland.hk
如欲查詢詳情或安排專訪，歡迎致電9450 9757與Adrienne Wong聯絡。
有關Plan國際培幼會的查詢，歡迎致電3405 5316與Miss Wendy Tsui聯絡。

查詢有關「愛．女孩」行動詳情，請瀏覽 www.BecauseIamaGirl.org.hk

For Immediate Release 20th November, 2010

Ms Lisa Cheng, Mrs Christine Liao, Ms Christine Ma, Ms Tse Ning, Dr Connie Wong,
Ms Olivia Yan and Ms Cindy Yeung officiated at the official launch ceremony of
Plan International Hong Kong “Because I am a Girl” Campaign
and Themed Photo Competition,
calling for community support to help improve lives of disadvantaged girls

Plan International, a leading development organisation focused on children’s rights with over 70 years of history, has embarked on a global campaign – “Because I am a Girl”. To enhance public awareness of the issue and gather support from the Hong Kong community, Plan is holding a “Because I am a Girl” Photo Competition in Hong Kong and an official launch ceremony was held at the wtc more in Causeway Bay on 20th November, 2010. The ceremony was officiated by “Because I am a Girl” Ambassadors:

Ms Lisa Cheng, renowned athlete
Mrs Christine Liao, JP, Arts Educator (Ballet)
Ms Christine Ma, Founder and Principal of JEMS Learning House
Ms Tse Ning, renowned culinary artist
Dr Connie Wong, 3-fingered pianist and winner of the Top Ten Outstanding Young Persons of Hong Kong, 2010
Ms Olivia Yan, Artistic Director of PIP Theatre Group
Ms Cindy Yeung, Managing Director of Emperor Watch & Jewellery

Board Members of Plan International Hong Kong Dr Darwin Chen, SBS, Mr. Kerry McGlynn and Mr. Donald Fung, and Chief Executive Officer, Plan International Hong Kong Mr James Murray also attended the ceremony.

“Because I am a Girl” is a global campaign launched to fight gender inequality, promote girls’ rights and lift millions of girls out of the poverty trap. The launch ceremony of “Because I am a Girl” Campaign cum Photo Competition at the wtc more commenced with a sensational welcoming drum performance by Mr Ban Leung and his team Ban’s Gig Drums. Dr Darwin Chen, Board Member of Plan International Hong Kong, was then invited to deliver a speech, followed by a note delivered by Mr James Murray, Chief Executive Officer, Plan International Hong Kong, to thank the “Because I am a Girl” Ambassadors for supporting the Campaign and the Photo Competition.

Apart from the Ambassadors who were present at the launch ceremony, Mr Murray also thanked the Ambassadors who were not able to attend the launch ceremony – Ms Alice Mak, renowned illustrator and the creator of Mcmug and Mcdull character and Mrs Betty Yuen, Vice Chairman of CLP Power Hong Kong Limited.

Ambassadors were then invited on stage to share their success stories as a woman with the girls who are still striving for gender equality and a better life, and they also conveyed their best wishes. After that, Plan representatives joined the Ambassadors on stage to unveil a huge “Because I am a Girl” photo album, officially announcing the commencement of the Campaign and the Photo Competition.

In order to raise funds for the Campaign, Ms Tse Ning donated her “Cookies Quartet” cookies for charity sales. Specially-designed Plan T-shirts and piggy banks were also available for sale in support of the Campaign. All the proceeds will go to the newly set up Plan Hong Kong Girls Fund which will benefit community projects of Plan International, helping girls in China, Ghana, Nepal and Pakistan, in the areas of education, vocational training, counselling services and microfinance.

Mr James Murray said at the ceremony, “Hong Kong is liberal city and everyone is protected against discrimination. However, many girls in developing countries across the globe are facing gender discrimination, and are routinely denied access to education and health services, and often face high levels of violence, abuse and harassment. I am glad that the ‘Because I am a Girl’ campaign is supported by so many people and I would like to thank our Ambassdors for their benevolence. I sincerely hope that we can help those girls in fighting inequality and take them out of poverty."

Ms Lisa Cheng called for “love” for girls, "Girls in Hong Kong are lucky because we have the freedom and the chance to choose what we want to do. For me, I chose to be an athlete. But I know that it is not the same in many parts of the world. 80% of the victims of trafficking are girls or women. I sincerely hope that we can all show our love to these underprivileged girls."

Mrs Christine Liao called for “opportunity” for girls, "Teaching ballet gives me an opportunity to interact closely on a personal level with girls, and I love them. I believe that if girls are given the same education and opportunities as boys, they can be as successful and will contribute even more to the society."

Ms Christine Ma’s word for the girls is “dream”, “I love children and strongly believe that all children deserve the opportunity to receive education to unleash their potential, irrespective of their gender. I am lucky to be able to pursue my dream to start a school that concentrates on promoting moral education. I really hope that other girls will also have the chance to pursue their dreams. Let’s help them to do so.”

Ms Tse Ning visited girls in Shaanxi, China earlier with Plan International Hong Kong, her word for the girls is “hope”, “What Plan International Hong Kong has done in helping the needy children is meaningful and impressive. I have participated in their Child Sponsorship programme and I hope all of you can join us to show your support to the needy girls. Send them hope and encouragement!”

Renowned pianist Dr Connie Wong, who was born with only three normal fingers, sent girls the word “confidence”, “I have experienced many difficulties in the past and I have learnt to face them confidently. I hope that all the girls who are suffering from difficult lives will not give up easily. Be confident and there is always a way out!”

Ms Olivia Yan sent the word "beauty", "Being a theater director and actor, I understand that girls and boys have their special talents. I hope that we can take part in making the world fairer. If every one of us devotes a little more attention and care to those girls, the world will become more beautiful."

Ms Cindy Yeung heard about Plan International Hong Kong from her husband Mr Alfred Cheung, who was once a beneficiary of Plan International Hong Kong himself, when he was a child. Cindy’s word for girls is “nourishment”. “As a gemologist, I see the value of every tiny rubble and know that it can turn into a shiny diamond, if given a chance. The same applies to girls. Nourish them and let them shine."?

About the “Because I am a Girl” Photo Competition
The competition is open to the following categories: Lower Primary, Upper Primary, Lower Secondary, Upper Secondary and Open Group.?? Interested participants may obtain application forms, available now, for entry to the competition at www.BecauseIamaGirl.org.hk.?? Entries must follow the theme of “Because I am a Girl”.? Entries will be uploaded to the Facebook page of Plan International in March 2011 for public voting.? Completed application forms with photo entries (size: A4; resolution: 300dpi) must be sent by e-mail to info@seedland.hk.? A prize presentation ceremony and photo exhibition will be held on 2nd April, 2011.??

About Plan International
Established in 1937, Plan International is one of the world’s leading development organisations, specifically focussed on children.? Headquartered in the UK, Plan supports more than 1.5 million children and their families and indirectly supports a further 9 million people who live in communities that are working with Plan.? Plan works in 48 developing countries across Africa, Asia and the Americas, supported by fundraising offices in 21 countries.? The organisation’s programmes concentrate on making real, positive and lasting improvements to quality of life in the areas of education, health, environment and livelihood, and on helping children to realise their full potential in societies that respect their rights and dignity.

Released by: Seedland International Limited
On behalf of Plan International
Media enquiries:
Tel: 3583 3100???? Fax: 3583 1331?????E-mail: info@seedland.hk
Contact person: Miss Adrenne Wong (9450-9757)
Contact person of Plan: Miss Wendy Tsui, Director, Marketing & Communications (3405-5316)

For more information about ‘Because I am a Girl” campaign, visit www.BecauseIamaGirl.org.hk