Touching hearts with community service
Li Rongzhi from Henan Province had trouble making ends meet when she first migrated to Beijing.
As she was unskilled, finding a job with decent pay proved difficult for her, and she resorted to collecting rubbish in order to support her family.
It was the launch in early 2005 of the China Charity Federation (CCF) and HSBC's training course targeting migrant workers that changed her fortunes.
Li received training in caring for the elderly, obtained a nationally accredited vocational geriatric care certificate and was sent to work in Longquan Homes of the Senior in Haidian District of Beijing.
Li treasured the opportunity, and worked hard and diligently. Thanks to her good performance, she was promoted to group head.
Li's story is only one among that of some 18,000 laid-off and migrant workers in Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Qingdao and Guangzhou who have benefited from HSBC's commitment to social welfare.
They have been trained to take care of households, mend electricity appliances, and in various other skills, and more than half have found new jobs.
Apart from training in geriatric care, HSBC believes that solving the aging problems for the nation is a comprehensive course for China. It has also organised a series of training courses for the heads of seniors' homes in China.
Many of them have gained important information from the course, which has helped many seniors' homes make a sharp turnaround in terms of operation, expand their scale and attract many staff members.
As an organisation, HSBC is not only successful in its business but also gives the fruits of its success back to the community, aiming to make a positive impact on the lives of its stakeholders and on society as a whole.
As a corporate donor, HSBC plays its part in society through its involvement in community and welfare projects and initiatives.
Although these migrant workers now play a more prominent role in contributing to the economy, they remain at the bottom rungs of the economic ladder. Ensuring education and employment opportunities so that they can earn a livelihood have become major social concerns.
Setting itself high standards, HSBC seeks to make a positive impact on the community. Touching others through community efforts, creating social awareness, and being a socially conscious and responsible company is at the heart of HSBC's corporate character.
(China Daily 06/26/2007 page19)
