Plan Hong Kong Chief Executive Officer James Murray meets a participant on a Plan China school linking project

18 June 2009: Plan opens as a fundraising office in Hong Kong today - 3 decades after it closed its programme operations there.  

Reflecting the economic development of Hong Kong in recent years, the office is the first in the Asia region to make the transition from a programme office to a fundraising office. The office officially open its doors on 1 July 2009.

Starting out

Plan first started operations in Hong Kong in 1959 under the organisation’s original name Foster Parents Plan. During that time, Plan focused its efforts on the challenges arising from the influx of refugees from mainland China, and around the region, and the subsequent overpopulation in shanty communities where thousands lived in cramped and unsanitary conditions.

Plan worked to provide these children and their families with education, food and shelter, as well as career counselling. Plan closed the office in 1973.

Amazing development

Plan Hong Kong staff greeting a family in the 1960s

Marking the return, James Murray, Chief Executive Officer of Plan Hong Kong, said: “In many ways, the story of Plan Hong Kong mirrors the amazing development of the territory in which we helped provide the most basic needs to thousands of people living without sanitation or running water, to the present world class city renowned for its generosity in helping those less fortunate.”

Plan International Chief Executive Officer Nigel Chapman said: “This office re-opening is a symbolic and significant step for Plan: It reaffirms our commitment to Hong Kong and highlights the growing influence of the region on the world stage. And it comes at a significant time as we implement our latest strategic plan, which specifically targets Hong Kong as a key partner in our work on behalf of disadvantaged children. Such is the importance and value we place on the city.”

Where are they now?

To mark the return, Plan Hong Kong has launched ‘Where are they now?’, a campaign calling on anyone who benefited from or worked with Plan from 1959 to 1973 to come forward and share their stories.

It is estimated that Plan assisted around 12,000 children and families in Hong Kong during that time.

Find out more about the campaign via the Plan Hong Kong website.