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The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, visited the Hong Kong Single Parents Association (HKSPA) this afternoon (February 1) to learn more about the problems faced by single parents and the support services provided to help them.
Mr Cheung was briefed by the Chief Executive of the HKSPA, Ms Jessie Yu Sau-chu, on the services offered by the association. He also met a group of single parents who were referred by the Social Welfare Department to the HKSPA for employment assistance.
They shared with him how they benefited from the support services by enhancing communication with their children and rebuilding their self-confidence. Mr Cheung was glad to find that some of them had been able to re-enter the job market and had turned from service recipients to service providers. Mr Cheung encouraged them to adopt a positive attitude in facing life's challenges and building their own future.
With the Year of Rabbit round the corner, Mr Cheung took the chance to offer them seasonal greetings. He also presented them with New Year puddings to wish them and their children growth and achievement.
To share spring festival joy with those spending Chinese New Year in residential homes, Mr Cheung will visit a children's home tomorrow (Lunar New Year's Eve) as well as a hostel for severely mentally handicapped persons and a care and attention home for the elderly on the Second Day of the Lunar New Year (February 4).
Ends/Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Issued at HKT 18:55
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