What would make a normal fifth grade boy feel like he got lucky, that fortune was smiling on him?

Would it be getting an Xbox? The latest smartphone model?

How about a trip to Disneyland?

What made Ryan, a child from Sham Shui Po exclaim “I am so lucky!” was getting a subsidy to buy books.

Ryan joined our book reading workshop this winter. Part of the workshop was buying his own books with the subsidy provided by the programme’s sponsors.*

Ryan’s teacher chose twenty students who are from needy background and who also love to read to join the activity. Ryan couldn’t believe his good fortune when he found out he had been chosen.

“I was so surprised and so happy when my teacher told me. Some of my classmates also longed for this opportunity but didn’t get it.”

“My family can’t give me the money to buy storybooks. But now I can buy some books to improve my English and do better in school. I want to get into the University of Hong Kong and study mathematics.”

“Thank you, HOPE (worldwide)! I feel so happy because reading brings me happiness!”

What would make you exclaim, “I am so lucky!”?

*The book reading programme is being sponsored by Target Corporation and the Partnership for the Disadvantaged.