The Nicola and Kenneth Bursary fund is a charity that was started in memory of two Island School students who died in 1985. Each year, with the support of their families the Island School community has raised money to help children in severe financial need. Principals from different Hong Kong schools nominate driven and committed secondary school students for a bursary award. Each awardee is given $3,000 which they use to support their education. Bursaries are typically used to cover tutoring costs, exam fees or textbooks, sometimes they are spent on basic living costs such as food or transport. 

One Form 6 student, received the bursary. He explained, “In Secondary 4, my father was no longer in my life, leaving my mother to support my life and education.”

He used the money to purchase reference books for his DSE examinations as well as food. He said, “The money was very useful to support my living expenses and relieve the stress on my mother. I am very thankful.”

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Student 2 said, “I come from a poor family and my parents can just earn enough to keep the wolf from the door. I did not have a chance to join any extra-curricular activities. After receiving the grant, I can join different activities to widen my horizons. I can also buy more learning materials. It helps me to prepare for exams effectively.”

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