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There were no proper study tables in their home.
So the boys had to use the dining table to do their school work. Sometimes, they even used the floor of their living room.
But through Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation's (HSBC) Corporate Responsibility Challenge last year, brothers Lim Jun Hong, 12, and Lim Jun Wei, 10, received two study desks.
The programme, "All in a Day's Work", which started last June, helps disadvantaged pupils create a conducive studying environment at home.
Jun Hong and Jun Wei's three-room flat in Bedok North Street 3 was painted by 10 HSBC staff volunteers. The volunteers even provided them with two new study desks, complete with lamps.
"I felt very happy and excited when I heard that they were going to paint our home," said Jun Hong, a primary six pupil at Yu Neng Primary School in Bedok. "With the desks, it's more comfortable to study now."
Home visits were carried out by volunteers to assess the children's situation.
The volunteers then decided on how to help them.
HAPPY
The boys' mother, who wanted to be known as Madam Tan, 35, said she was really happy with the help from HSBC.
She said: "Jun Hong's grades improved and both of them come home and study more."
Yesterday, the brothers and about two dozen other underprivileged children had the chance to meet Feng Shan Shan, one of the world's top women golfers.
The China-born golfer, who was in Singapore to compete in the annual HSBC Women's Championship, gave a talk to the kids about finding their passion.
The children also played golf at a pavilion opposite Kaki Bukit Community Centre under the guidance of Amanda Tan, one of Singapore's top junior golfers, and Janet Li, a player from the HSBC Junior Golf Programme in China.
Jun Hong and Jun Wei were chosen to show the golfers around their refurbished home because they had shown improvement in their grades and behaviour.
Jun Wei was presented with a photography book and Jun Hong received a self-improvement book.
After the visit, Feng told The New Paper that the experience of speaking to the kids and seeing their home was incredible.
She said: "This was my first time that I got to see what HSBC is doing for the kids. They are trying to help the kids and this will give them hope to push themselves to work hard."
Jun Hong's grades improved and both of them come home and study more.
- Madam Tan on how her sons have benefited from HSBC's social service programme.
OVER 180 NEEDY KIDS HELPED
HSBC's Corporate Responsibility Challenge aims to make an impact on the lives of the underprivileged through the efforts of its staff volunteers.
They work with volunteer welfare organisations to identify needy children.
Over four days last year, more than 750 staff members and corporate customers went around to create a conducive study area in the childrens' homes, giving them bookshelves and painting their homes.
They helped over 180 needy children.
The children were also each given a $50 voucher for text and assessment books.
In addition, HSBC also helped raise $250,000 for The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund and The Business Times Budding Artists Fund.
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