CEO Message (Plan News Issue 27)

Dear Supporters,

Thank you for your continued support of our work.

During my recent visit to Bangladesh, I ventured into the narrow, flood-soaked alleys of a slum during the monsoon season. Sandbags lined the paths, a testament to the community’s resilience in the face of relentless flooding. Despite the harsh conditions, we were warmly welcomed by the smiles of women there, their strength and spirit shining through adversity.

Among them was 14-year-old girl Nasrin, who guided me to a communal restroom and shared the daily challenges she faces, particularly when showering. The facility, serving 200 men and women from 30 households, consists of just three toilet stalls and a single shower room. Elsewhere in the slum, restrooms were littered with rubbish and barely hygienic. Most distressing was the sight of showering spaces shielded only by flimsy cloth sheets, where men could barge in at any time, leaving women vulnerable to intrusion and even sexual violence. It is heart-wrenching to imagine girls like Nasrin growing up in such conditions, stripped of dignity and living in constant fear.

On the other side of the slum, I visited a safe shower facility constructed through previous fundraising efforts. These clean, secure spaces allow women to bathe without fear of privacy violations, restoring their dignity and safeguarding their physical and mental well-being. The joy and gratitude radiating from the women’s faces moved me to tears, reaffirming the transformative impact of our collective efforts. Thanks to your support, these facilities stand as a powerful symbol of hope, profoundly improving the lives of girls.

To continue this vital work, we hosted this year’s “Donate a Pencil for Girls” Campaign, running from September to October, to fund education projects in Bangladesh. The event also featured exhibitions that brought to life the realities of the slums and newly built safe bathing space. Thanks to the support of our corporate partners, volunteers, and dedicated supporters, the fundraising campaign and exhibitions have concluded with great results.

Thank you for standing with us. Your donations are the cornerstone of our mission, enabling us to create a fairer and brighter future for children in need together.

I wish you all good health and a happy life!

Yours Sincerely,
Kanie Siu
CEO
Plan International Hong Kong