Feature Stories
"Everybody wins when corporations participate in child development" -- Ms Iris LAM, Member of the Steering Committee on the Child Development Fund
BCT Group's management and staff showing their support at the kick-off ceremony for the CDF pioneer projects in 2009.
My connection with the CDF began eight years ago. The Baptist Oi Kwan Social Service (BOKSS), a long-time social welfare partner of the BCT Group for which I am working, invited us to take part in the CDF projects. I was impressed by the programme when the BOKSS staff briefed us at our office. In fact, the BCT Group has always attached great importance to corporate social responsibility (CSR) and is well aware that fulfilling such responsibility means a lot to the sustainable development of the corporation and the community. As the CDF objectives align with our corporate philosophy, its projects fully deserve our support.
The CDF launched its pioneer projects in 2009, and the BCT Group has been a regular participant in its projects since then. Time really flies. Over the past eight years, about 20 of our colleagues have served as mentors for various projects through the BOKSS.
Mentorship is mutually beneficial
Hong Kong people lead a very busy life and it is never easy to ask someone to act as a mentor for three years. The BCT Group encourages participation by giving colleagues strong support, such as providing resources for mentoring activities. Colleagues participating in the CDF projects also bond with one another for exchange and support. Some even bring along their children and family members to take part in activities with their mentees. Mentors who have kids and mentees in similar age range find themselves benefited from the mentoring relationship as the programme provides them with the opportunity to reflect and learn.
Mutual trust brings satisfaction
Ms Iris LAM and Betsy (right), her mentee at CDF.
I have been a mentor for CDF projects for a number of years, and I have gained more from mentoring than I could ever imagine. Some project participants were not very confident and did not know how to express themselves. Betsy was one of my mentees and she was rather passive when we started. I was often the one who made the calls. Then, she called me one day and told me about the problems and pressure she was facing in her studies. I listened carefully to how she felt and what she worried about. I was thankful for the trust she put in me. I also came to realise that time and sincerity are crucial to building mutual trust. There is no greater satisfaction than earning the trust of other people.
Later in a discussion with Betsy about her career development, she told me that she wanted to work in a commercial firm. At that time the BCT Group was offering summer internships to allow young people to gain working experience. I advised Betsy to give it a try. Then she prepared her resume, attended interview, and finally won the offer. I witnessed happily every step she took. As she performed well in her job, she was asked to work part-time after the internship. In such a way, our company also benefited from the project by recruiting a right candidate.
Clear objectives with full support
Whenever I mention the CDF projects to my colleagues and friends, the most frequent response is that "the three-year mentoring commitment is too long and demanding". Some do not believe they know how to mentoring youth, worrying that things may go wrong. In fact, mentors for the CDF projects are given a wide range of support including mentorship training by social workers, and a series of related talks and workshops, etc., to help them understand how they can help to foster youth development, promote positive values and guide participants towards their goals.
I am proud to play a part in promoting the CDF projects and help achieve a four-win situation for the Government, enterprises, welfare organisations and children. I too believe that "children are our future". The positive values we help children develop will be of benefit to them for life. It is a blessing that I got to meet Betsy through the project. I am most satisfied to see her set her goals and make positive changes. Our mentor-mentee relationship did not end with the project. Betsy and I still keep in touch, supporting and sharing with each other. As the head of the BCT Group's human resources department, I have also noticed how my colleagues have benefited from mentorship. Serving as a mentor has not only enriched their life experience, but also brought positive impact to their work and personal life. I strongly support corporate participation in the CDF projects, and hope that more people will share the joy of being a mentor.
Ms Iris LAM
Ms LAM is a member of the Steering Committee on the Child Development Fund. As Senior Vice-President, Human Resources of the BCT Group, she has over 20 years' experience in the field of human resources. She also co-chairs the CSR Committee of the BCT Group, which takes forward programmes in four areas, namely promoting youth development, enriching opportunities for the elderly, creating harmonious working environment and supporting environmental protection, and fosters a company culture of giving back to the community.