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Financial Secretary visits Yuen Long district (with photos)
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    The Financial Secretary, Mr Henry Tang, accompanied by the Director of Home Affairs, Mrs Pamela Tan, and Yuen Long District Officer, Mr James Chan, visited Yuen Long district this afternoon (July 14).

     The purpose of the visit is to see how existing community resources in Yuen Long district are mobilised to meet the district needs.

     The party first visited the Eduyoung Reading Room of the Jockey Club Eduyoung College in Tin Shui Wai, which has facilities for reading and self-study, information technology equipment and a library service. As a result of the Commission on Poverty's liaison, and with the school's agreement, the Reading Room was built on the school's playground with Government funding. It is managed by school staff and volunteers recruited from residents in the neighbourhood.

     Thanks to the volunteers' enthusiastic support, the Reading Room opens every day after school hours and on Saturdays, providing additional facilities for residents in the area.

     "This is a good example of utilising existing community resources to address the needs of local residents," Mr Tang said. "I learned that the Reading Room has been well received by the local community since its opening last year. The Government has allocated $10 million to set up similar facilities in other districts. This is overseen by the Education and Manpower Bureau. I hope that more schools will follow suit by opening up their premises for community use," Mr Tang said.

     He next visited the Yuen Long Public Middle School Alumni Association Tang Siu Tong Secondary School, which is a participant of the Adopt-A-School Project organised by the Commission on Poverty. The purpose of the project is to promote the role of business in tackling inter-generational poverty through partnership with schools and to build social capital among the younger generation.

     Under the scheme, adopting companies will develop a long-term relationship with adopted schools to maximise the impact of work on students. Companies will help students to build up their extra-curricular experience and knowledge through visits, seminars, workshops and placements, to help them lay good foundation for future career development.  

     Since the scheme's inception last year, the Commission on Poverty has been fostering partnerships between business organisations and schools. So far, four companies under the Hong Kong Jewellery & Jade Manufacturers Association and three secondary schools, including Yuen Long Public Middle School Alumni Association Tang Siu Tong Secondary School, have joined this project. Two more secondary schools will join this September.

     This afternoon, Mr Tang watched a students' demonstration of jewellery design and model-making as well as viewing finished products by students of other participating schools.

     "Adopt-A-School Project represents a new partnership model between the business sector and schools in tackling intergenerational poverty," he said.

     "I am pleased to see these encouraging results within a short time of the project's launch. I hope more people from the business sector can utilise their strength and participate in this meaningful project for our next generation."

     Mr Tang then toured Yuen Long town centre. He chatted with shop owners and people in the street to get their views on the district's economic and employment prospects, as well as challenges faced by the district.

Ends/Friday, July 14, 2006
Issued at HKT 18:49

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