[8/5/03 11:45:54 AM]
World-renowned violinist Ms Takako Nishizaki gave a charity concert last year in support of Society for Abandoned Animals Foundation. To replicate the remarkable success, this year Ms Nishizaki will hold a two-day charity concert in support of The Pathways Foundation Ltd in order to help children with Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD). Children with Special Learning Disabilities have brain functions different from normal children. Their intelligence quotients are normal, but have difficulties in understanding and learning symbols and abstract concepts. For example, they may reverse the direction of words as they write them out. SLD children therefore cannot receive normal education just like other kids. Because of this, many of them are being labeled as ¡§ second-class students¡¨, which make them lose interest in learning and self-esteem. They may even give up on themselves. Moreover, parents of SLD children may feel frustrated as their children are being discriminated against and they can hardly find solutions to solve the problem.
The Pathways Foundation Ltd was established in 2001 and is a non-profit, registered charity providing services for Hong Kong children with Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD) in order to help them achieve their full potential in school and daily life. Its services include increasing confidence of SLD school children through after school support programmes; empowering parents through workshops and seminars; providing new skills for teacher and allied professionals and help to raise community awareness of the nature and prevalence of SLD. Having undergone a harsh experience in learning violin in her childhood, Ms Takako Nishizaki strongly agrees with Pathways¡¦ principle¡X¡§help children bridge the gap between true learning potential and current performance¡¨. She wishes to give SLD children a helping hand through The Pathways Foundation Ltd. Ms Nishizaki¡¦s father, Shinji, was the co-founder of the now famous teaching method, Suzuki Method. Takako herself was the first student to complete the Suzuki course and was awarded a teacher¡¦s diploma at the tender age of nine. Her experience in music education makes her realize the importance of education especially for children. She encourages more training of local music teachers and young musicians, so that school children can be taught how to appreciate music and develop lifelong interest in it.
Supported by Title Sponsor Ricoh Office Solutions, the Takako Nishizaki Charity Concert in support of The Pathways Foundation Ltd will be held at the Cultural Centre on November 4 & 5, 2003. Tickets are priced at $1200, $700, $500 and $300, which will be sold at all URBTIX outlets starting from October 4, 2003.