Z Zurich Foundation donates HKD4.6 million for the “Online Learning ‧ Computer Donation Program” – Supplying 1,350 computers and 1,620 SIM cards to students to close the continuous learning gap

Hong Kong, December 10, 2020 – Zurich Insurance (Hong Kong) (“Zurich”) today announced that the Z Zurich Foundation (“the Foundation”) has donated a total of HKD4.6 million to establish the “Online Learning ‧ Computer Donation Program”. Stewarded by two social welfare organizations, Pok Oi Hospital and HandsOn Hong Kong, more than 1,500 primary and secondary school underprivileged and special needs students will be supplied with laptops, tablets and SIM cards, to equip them with core resources for online learning during the suspension of face-to-face classes and school closures, and to close the continuous learning gap. Zurich also hopes to send blessings to the community through donations, spread warmth during the festive month of December, and share the meaningful message of charitable giving.

As the city battles the fourth wave of the pandemic, the Education Bureau announced the suspension of face-to-face classes at all primary and secondary schools, plus kindergartens across Hong Kong until after the Christmas holidays, to further contain the spread of the novel coronavirus. This is already the third instance that schools have suspended classes since the outbreak early this year, and to keep learning going, many schools have adopted digital instructions for ongoing months. Unfortunately, the pivot to online learning continues to be challenging for disadvantaged students and their families. Computers are expensive, and some students struggle with online learning simply because they do not have their own personal computer. Others who have computers struggle because their device may be outdated, shared amongst several family members, or lack data bandwidth for online learning. Realizing the dire need, Zurich took action. With the Foundation’s HKD4.6 million donation, the “Online Learning ‧ Computer Donation Program” was implemented to pragmatically help students access digital learning during this tumultuous period and beyond.

The procurement process for the “Online Learning ‧ Computer Donation Program” began in October, with the first batch of computers and SIM cards already received by students in need. The entire donation process is expected to be completed in early January. The “Online Learning ‧ Computer Donation Program” announced today includes:

• An additional HKD3.9 million injection to the “#MoveForward COVID-19 Support Program” jointly established with Pok Oi Hospital in May, for the purchase of laptops and SIM cards, and to support its daily services for the betterment of the community. A total of 1,200 sets of Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 2 laptops and 70GB SIM cards have been purchased to meet the online learning needs of students of Pok Oi’s four primary and secondary schools, and 11 children, families, and youths centres. Also, of those 1,200 sets, 400 sets were opened to public applications to help vulnerable students and were met with overwhelming response by over three times the quota. Lastly, HKD100,000 of the donation will be dedicated to the charity’s efforts in children, families, and youth services to facilitate its philanthropy and to enhance the wellbeing of the needy.
• HKD700,000 donation to HandsOn Hong Kong for the purchase of tablets and SIM cards, and to assist its various volunteer initiatives. A total of 144 tablets and 420 22GB SIM cards have been provided to the Mary Rose School, the Po Leung Kuk Anita L. L. Chan (Centenary) School, the Saviour Lutheran School, and The Hong Kong Society for the Deaf, to address the learning needs of the disabled. At the same time, the Sau Mau Ping Social Centre for the Elderly received six tablets to enhance digital literacy of elderly individuals. Lastly, the remaining funds will be dedicated to strengthen HandsOn Hong Kong’s volunteer efforts in addressing various community needs.

Mr. Eric Hui, Chief Executive Officer, Zurich Insurance (Hong Kong), said, “Facing the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic, we sometimes only focus on the number of confirmed cases each day and lose sight of the struggles that grassroots students face. With class suspensions and school closures, the digital divide has significantly widened. Students are weathering without electronic devices at home, lack of data bandwidth, weak internet connection, and many other struggles that are contributing to the continuous learning gap. As a father of two, I too am concerned the problems they may face in the sudden pivot to online learning, and I am sure other parents share the sentiment. Unfortunately, many students still lack digital access and this is hurting their learning competence and mental wellbeing, and at the same time, underscoring the inequality in learning that underprivileged and special needs students still face. With the Program happening close to Christmas, Zurich hopes the donated laptops, tablets and SIM cards will help spread holiday cheer and aid those students most impacted by the pandemic. We hope the students will see the new resources as a game-changer, and embrace online learning and equip themselves for the future. This donation to Pok Oi Hospital and HandsOn Hong Kong has achieved great synergistic impact by not only supporting the initiative’s cause, but also benefiting the charities’ mission to help the underprivileged and igniting hope for the community.

Mrs. Kan Chan Kit Har, Josephine, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Pok Oi Hospital, expressed her heartfelt gratitude to Zurich and the Foundation, and said, “Zurich Insurance (Hong Kong) and the Z Zurich Foundation have always been rooted in their support towards the betterment of the disadvantaged. This latest initiative is an extension of the ‘#MoveFoward COVID-19 Support Program’ announced in May, which provided urgent access to hygienic and staple supplies via ‘Cheer-up aid packs” and emotional relief for children and the elderly battling the novel coronavirus. Zurich’s gifts of laptops and SIM cards come at a crucial time and address the practical learning needs and wellbeing of students. I am also delighted to announce that the #MoveForward Program has received the Social Welfare Department’s Partnership Fund for the Disadvantaged, which is expected to benefit more than 1,600 individuals.”

Ms. Lisa Lam, Director of Development and Corporate Partnerships, HandsOn Hong Kong, said, “Students without the necessary resources for online learning are suffering a significant disadvantage as digital instructions become the norm under the pandemic. We at HandsOn Hong Kong applaud Zurich Insurance (Hong Kong) and the Z Zurich Foundation’s donation, which has immediately supplied disabled students with the tools vital to online learning and their wellbeing. This marks the second collaboration with Zurich this year—following September’s ‘Serve-a-thon Hong Kong’. We are again grateful for Zurich’s generosity in empowering those facing innumerable challenges now.”

In addition to the above Program, Zurich and the Foundation have been funding other COVID-19 community relief initiatives since the beginning of the year, including pledging HKD3.2 million to Breakthrough, with HKD500,000 a special philanthropic emergency fund and the prepayment of the full amount of HKD2.7 million charitable donation promised for this year, to help the organization overcome their financial difficulties and continue serving the young generations of Hong Kong. In May, a HKD1.1 million donation that launched the “#MoveFoward COVID-19 Support Program” to support low-income families, children, and vulnerable elderly people, with physical and emotional assistance. Now more than ever, community work is imperative, and Zurich will continue to mobilize resources together with like-minded community service partners through charitable projects, to help those experiencing hardships.

Zurich Insurance (Hong Kong), via Z Zurich Foundation, has pledged HKD4.6 million to establish the “Online Learning ‧ Computer Donation Program”—stewarded by Pok Oi Hospital and HandsOn Hong Kong to donate computers and SIM cards to spread warmth to underprivileged students this Christmas, and close the continuous learning gap.

Mrs. Kan Chan Kit Har, Josephine, Pok Oi Hospital CHAIRMAN (left), Mr. Eric Hui, CEO of Zurich Insurance (HK) (middle), and Ms. Sue Toomey, Executive Director, HandsOn HK (right), hope to empower students through the “Online Learning ‧ Computer Donation Program” and to inject optimism in these challenging times.