MACAO, Sept. 12, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Sands China Ltd. has started a Hato Education Sponsorship Fund, benefiting six children and young adults who lost a parent to Typhoon Hato when it hit Macao in August 2017. The company held a signing ceremony for the fund Wednesday at Sands® Macao.
In support of their continuing education, the fund is part of Sands China's long-term support to the community in the aftermath of the storm.
The new fund has been established in cooperation with Fidelidade -- Insurance Company Limited (Life). Sands China will provide a total of MOP 6 million to the affected children and young adults, with MOP 1 million allocated for each recipient. The beneficiaries receive financial support for their continued education, including for primary, secondary and tertiary studies. The financial assistance covers areas such as tuition fees, extracurricular activities, school supplies and study materials.
"Sands China remains dedicated to offering continuous support to those in need after Typhoon Hato," said Sands China Ltd. President Dr. Wilfred Wong. "After understanding the dire situation of children and young adults whose families suffered severe losses, we began developing a plan to help. This education fund will provide crucial support for their studies, as education is essential for their development and success in life. Our gratitude goes toward the Social Welfare Bureau for their help in coordinating this effort."
Ivan Cheung, general manager of Fidelidade -- Insurance Company Limited (Life), said: "Natural disasters are cruel, but there is love in the human race. Sands China has always been committed to the community. In order to help the families of the victims and reduce their financial burden, Sands China is establishing an education sponsorship fund to provide financial support to the affected children and young adults. It is therefore our honour to be appointed trustee of this education sponsorship fund and work with Sands China in supporting our community, carrying out our social responsibility and instilling more positive energy into society."
Wednesday's signing ceremony was attended by director of Social Affairs Bureau Wong Im Mui; deputy director general of Economic Affairs Department of Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao Special Administrative Region Zhu Hong; deputy director of the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau Leong Man Ion; general manager of Fidelidade - Insurance Company Limited (Life) Paulo Barbosa and Ivan Cheung; and Dr. Wilfred Wong.
Sands China has been working with the community to provide continuous support to areas in need since the typhoon. This includes transportation and technical support, SME support, restoration of damaged homes in Coloane, and clearing out debris, among others. Ongoing initiatives include providing 7-seater vans with drivers to Caritas Macau to support its Good Take Express service. Sands China will continue such support until the arrival of vehicles it has donated to Caritas Macau to replace those damaged in the storm.
The company has pledged to donate a total of MOP 65 million for typhoon disaster relief in Macao -- MOP 30 million from Sands China Ltd., plus an additional MOP 35 million from the Adelson Family Foundation. Approximately MOP 15 million of that has already been presented to the University of Saint Joseph to assist in repairing its storm-damaged campus. Another MOP 2 million helped repair Macau Holy House of Mercy's elderly home, which had suffered extensive damage, including major structural damage to its roof.
Sands China's relief efforts are part of Sands Cares, the global corporate citizenship programme of parent company Las Vegas Sands Corp.
About Sands China Ltd.
Sands China Ltd. (HKEx: 1928, Sands China or the Company) is a Cayman Islands registered company and is listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited. Sands China is the largest operator of integrated resorts in Macao. The Company's Cotai Strip portfolio is comprised of The Venetian® Macao, The Plaza® Macao, Sands® Cotai Central and The Parisian Macao. The Company also owns and operates Sands® Macao on the Macao peninsula. The Company's integrated resorts contain a diversified mix of leisure and business attractions and transportation operations, including large meeting and convention facilities; a wide range of restaurants; shopping malls; world-class entertainment at the Cotai Arena, The Venetian Theatre, The Parisian Theatre and the Sands Cotai Theatre; and a high-speed Cotai Water Jet ferry service between Hong Kong and Macao. The Company's Cotai Strip portfolio has the goal of contributing to Macao's transformation into a world centre of tourism and leisure. Sands China is a subsidiary of global resort developer Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE: LVS).
For more information, please visit www.sandschinaltd.com.
Sands Cares
A firm believer in the importance of corporate social responsibility, Sands China Ltd. engages with the local Macao community as a part of Sands Cares -- the charitable giving programme of parent company Las Vegas Sands Corp. Sands Cares integrates the company's philanthropic work worldwide in four key areas: financial giving, community problem solving and collaboration, in-kind donations, and team member volunteerism.
Key areas of Sands Cares in Macao include the Sands Cares Ambassador programme for volunteering in the local community; charitable contributions to NGOs and community organisations; and sponsorship of community events.
For more information, please visit www.sands.com/sands-cares/our-commitment.html.
Media contacts:
Corporate Communications, Venetian Macau Limited
Mabel Wu
Tel: +853 8118 2268
Email: mabel.wu@sands.com.mo
Josie Ho
Tel: +853 8118 2024
Email: josie.ho@sands.com.mo
Photo - https://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20180912/2235402-1-a
Photo - https://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20180912/2235402-1-b
