Senior executives from Sands China, accompanied by a team of 20 Sands Cares Ambassadors, visited Xiushui County in Jiangxi Province for the handover ceremony of Aoyi Primary School. The construction of the school was a collaborative effort funded by Sands China Ltd. and China Civil Engineering Construction Company (Macau) Ltd. (CCECC).
The official ceremony, which featured the unveiling of Aoyi Primary School, was attended by representatives from the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao Special Administrative Region, Sands China team members and volunteers, CCECC, the Policy Research and Regional Development Bureau of the Macao SAR, the Education and Youth Development Bureau of the Macao SAR, and Aoyi Primary School. “As a company deeply rooted in Macao, Sands China has consistently upheld corporate social responsibility. We immerse ourselves in the Macao community, standing united with all sectors of society”, said Dr Wilfred Wong, executive vice chairman of Sands China Ltd.
Yang Song, assistant general manager of CCECC and managing director of CCECC Hong Kong and Macau Branch, said, “We are delighted to collaborate with Sands China in successfully completing the construction of Aoyi Primary School, aiming to revitalise rural education for the advancement of the countryside and to contribute to the flourishing development of education in Xiushui County. I hope that Aoyi Primary School will continue to excel, further nurturing the profound bond between Macao and Xiushui, and playing a role in fostering more outstanding individuals for our nation”.
The student’s previous school building was situated at the base of a hill. The campus had limited space, with an insufficient number of functional classrooms and sports facilities that failed to meet standards, potentially endangering students, particularly during storms. The Aoyi Primary School, now in a new location, covers an area of about 3,900 square metres in Xiushui’s Huanggang town, including a construction area of about 1,700 square metres. The addition of the school gives school-aged children in the surrounding villages and towns critically needed access to education.
Following the ceremony, the Sands China delegation toured the newly constructed Aoyi Primary School and distributed items provided by the Sands Cares Ambassadors. These included gift packs of school stationery for the new academic year and sports equipment for the school. The Ambassadors also interacted with students in the classrooms and playground, strengthening the connection between Macao and Xiushui and creating lasting memories for everyone involved.
The trip also featured a visit to students’ families in a nearby mountain village, where Sands Cares Ambassadors distributed gift packs containing staple food items like oil, rice, and noodles, as well as household essentials such as tissues, cotton quilts, and detergent. The villagers shared their daily experiences with the volunteers and expressed their appreciation for the visit. Additionally, on Monday, the Ambassadors toured the Qiushou Uprising Xiushui Memorial Hall to strengthen their connection to their homeland and to gain a broader perspective on the nation’s and Macao’s development.
Sands China initiated the Sands Cares Ambassador programme in August 2009, becoming the first integrated resort operator in Macao to advocate for volunteerism and establish a dedicated volunteer team. This year marks the 15th anniversary of the programme, which now boasts over 3,300 volunteers from across all Sands China properties, encompassing all levels of team members. The company’s community efforts are an integral part of the Sands Cares corporate citizenship programme.
