The HKRI Love & Design CSR Programme (the “Programme”), a long-term charity programme launched by HKR International Limited ("HKRI") and the China Social Welfare Foundation, has recently completed the renovation of the outdoor playground of Jiaxing Yangguang Kindergarten, marking a success for the programme's third project. By building an apt learning environment and fun interactive facilities, we aim to show solicitude to the children and students with Special Educational Needs (SEN) and hope these would help solve their learning difficulties.
Fostering a better environment for children’s development through redesigning school campuses and improving the facilities has been the Programme’s objectives since its launch in 2019, reaching out to assist general schools to special schools to benefit more students. Jiaxing Yangguang Kindergarten is the first non-profit kindergarten in Zhejiang to provide inclusive education and rehabilitation for more than 90 SEN students. The project renovated the worn-out playground in the kindergarten and redesigned an outdoor activity space for all students.
The Programme invited Jing Liang, Associate Director of Communications of College of Design and Innovation, Tongji University, and Yujin Zhang, landscape architect, as Principal Designers of this project. Breaking through the original setting of the playground, the new design provides an interactive space for a whole new experience through the five senses – sight, smell, hearing, taste and touch, which facilitate the learning of general knowledge and the development of cognitive ability and improve the curriculum content. More than 200 students were benefitted from this project.
The designers divided the 550 sq. m. area into eight sections, such as “Little Farmers”, “Family Fun”, “Mini Driveway”, “The Origin of Water”, and “The World of Thousand Caves”. By realising the real-life setting and depicting fairy tales, the children can learn more knowledge and develop their abilities and skills. The sand dune and sand pit of the “Colourful Dune” are barrier-free facilities which provide a safe environment for the children. “Whispers in the Silence” works as a loudspeaker that guides children with hearing loss into a world of sound. The entrance of the playground combines stairs and planter seats, and additional barrier-free ramps and protective features are installed to ensure the safety of the children.
“The playground renovation project does not only provide a better environment for the students, but also a manifestation of our Company’s core value – ‘Devotion’. After entering the market of Jiaxing for 10 years, this project demonstrates our love to this city and its citizens,” said Ms Violet Lam, General Manager, Business Development & Marketing at HKR International Limited. Since the launch of the Programme, we have already worked on upgrading the Shanghai Jinding School, a state-run school for children of migrant workers; rebuilding a handicraft workshop in Haining Special Education School, a school for children with moderate to severe mental challenges; and this year improving Jiaxing Yangguang Kindergarten which enhances children’s cognitive abilities. The Group exerts its influence and draws on its expertise in the industry to promote community welfare.
As one of the Group’s ESG initiatives, the Programme has evolved over the past four years. As HKRI celebrates its 45th anniversary this year, the Group shall continue to “Create a Lifestyle” by promoting our corporate social responsibility and sustainable development in a pragmatic approach and fortify our relationship with our employees and stakeholders on our journey towards a brighter future.
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About HKR International Limited
HKR International Limited has diversified interests in real estate development and investment, property management, luxury hotels and serviced apartments, and other investments in Hong Kong, mainland China and across Asia.
The Company’s diverse portfolio includes Discovery Bay and CDW Building in Hong Kong, HKRI Taikoo Hui in Shanghai, and a number of premium residential properties under development in Shanghai, Jiaxing and Hangzhou. HKRI has been listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong since 1989, under the Stock Code of 00480.
Website: www.hkri.com
This press release is issued by HKR International Limited.
