French hotel group Accor is to partner with AIDS charity the Chi Heng Foundation (CHF) in a three-year project to create sustainable jobs and educational opportunities for AIDS sufferers and their dependents.

The innovative program, called "Empowerment Builds the Future", will establish a workshop staffed by women whose families have been affected by HIV/AIDS. The eco-friendly bags produced in the workshop will be sold at 88 Accor hotels located in mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macao, and proceeds from the sales used to fund educational opportunities and scholarships administered by CHF. Accor will provide 20,000 Euro (200,000 yuan) in start-up costs.

Organizers say that, in the first year, proceeds of the sale of the eco-bags will fund scholarships for 30 children from Henan Province. The images on the bags have been created by one of China's most renowned style gurus, Tony Li.

"The beauty of this program is that it is more than just donating money, it involves multiple sectors and the community working together to create a sustainable, viable social enterprise," says Robert Murray, Vice President of Accor Greater China. "Lao Tzu once said that if you give a man a fish, he eats for one day; but teach a man to fish, and he will eat for a lifetime. We are working to give this community a skill that will make them self sufficient for the future."

"Women bear a disproportionate share of the burden of AIDS care, often struggling to make ends meet with whatever meager income they have," said Dr Bernhard Schwartl?nder, UNAIDS Country Coordinator for China. "Few interventions reach women affected by AIDS. This program offers an opportunity for these neglected women to directly benefit from an aid program in their own communities, to improve their lives and that of children impacted by AIDS, and to live a life with dignity and hope".

"Working to improve the life of others is not just the work of NGO's," said Mr. Chung To, Founder of CHF. "We work with groups like Accor because they bring valuable resources and perspectives that can make this program successful."

Chi Heng, which means wisdom in action, was founded in 1998 and has branches in Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Anhui and Henan. By working with private donors, businesses, and NGOs, CHF helps children whose fathers or mothers are living with HIV/AIDS or have died as a result of the illness. By helping with their education and integrating them into society, CHF aims to give AIDS-affected children a stronger sense of community and belonging. CHF maintains a long-term commitment to the children, ensuring they complete their education, and providing comprehensive support and advice.