Room to Read, the non-profit supporting literacy and gender equality in education worldwide, held its Hong Kong gala on Mar. 6, raising HKD10.18 million (USD1.3 million) in donations to support its global programmes.
Gathering more than 150 media, business, charity, and hospitality leaders based in Hong Kong at Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong, Room to Read championed a unique theme for the night, “THE ROOM: where every corner offers the promise of a better future.”
The night comprised auctioning to raise funds, a vocal performance by Quarry Bay School Cantus Choir, and remarks by country director of Room to Read Cambodia Vantha Chea and co-chairs of Room to Read APAC Regional Board James Houghton and Aron Harilela. Attendees were also treated to a special video message from Oscar-winning actress Michelle Yeoh.
Guests at the gala savoured an exclusive first preview of chef Uwe Opocensky’s new spring dinner menu at Restaurant Petrus.
“Today, too many children arrive to school to find classrooms without the support teachers deserve, without books to practice, without reinforcement that they belong in the future. Education inequity predicts income, health, and stability. So, this is not charity. This is infrastructure. This is architecture. Build it well and the return compounds, across generations,” Room to Read CEO Dr Geetha Murali explained.
“Room to Read has invested more than a billion US dollars over the last 25 years to support educational programming around the world. We have worked in 29 countries, benefitting 60 million children. In 2025 alone, we actively benefitted more than 17 million children.”
