***************************************************
The Financial Secretary, Mr John C Tsang, today (November 23) met service users in a number of facilities in Sham Shui Po to learn more about the mutual help network in the district.
Accompanied by the Sham Shui Po District Officer, Ms May Chan Wing-shiu, Mr Tsang first visited a district cyber centre run by the Cyber Senior Network Development Association in Lai Kwok Estate. Mr Tsang said he was glad to see the Pilot Scheme on District Cyber Centres, launched in February this year, starting to bear fruit in the community.
During the visit, Mr Tsang took the opportunity to talk to elderly service users and encouraged them to make full use of community facilities to integrate into the information society. He also shared his experience of writing a blog with a winner in an elderly bloggers competition.
Mr Tsang then proceeded to Tsung Tsin Mission of Hong Kong Full Grace Service Centre to see the implementation of the Neighbourhood Support Child Care Project there. The project provides flexible day care services for children aged under six to meet the needs of parents at the neighbourhood level.
At the Neighbourhood Caring Centre run by the Industrial Evangelistic Fellowship, Mr Tsang chatted with a group of new arrivals. He told them that while the Government and non-governmental organisations had been making every effort to help new arrivals integrate with local people, they should also actively participate in community activities.
Mr Tsang then made a stop at Serene Club, a social enterprise run by the Hong Kong Down Syndrome Association. Mr Tsang said he was pleased to see people with disabilities manage to take up gainful employment.
Before concluding his district visit, Mr Tsang met the chairman, vice-chairman and committee chairmen of the Sham Shui Po District Council to listen to their views on district governance.
Ends/Monday, November 23, 2009
Issued at HKT 18:21
NNNN
Windows Media format
Real Media format