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The Tsuen Wan District Youth Programme Committee held a launching ceremony today (July 15) to encourage some 70 students and teachers who will take part in two exchange programmes in Yunnan and Singapore.
Officiating at the launching ceremony at the Liu Po Shan Memorial College, the Deputy Director of Home Affairs, Ms Mimi Lee; the Vice-Chairman of the Yan Chai Hospital Board, Mr Edwin Cheng; and the Executive Director of the Yuen Yuen Institute, Mr Henry Tong, wished the programmes a smooth completion.
The aim of the exchange programmes is to broaden the horizons and enrich the experiences of participants. Sponsored by the Yuen Yuen Institute and the Yan Chai Hospital Board, the visit to Yunnan will be made between July 17 and 22 while the one to Singapore will be made from July 21 to 26.
Mr Tong said that in sponsoring the Yunnan programme, the Yuen Yuen Institute hoped participants would gain a deeper understanding of Chinese history through taking part in activities such as drill training, visits to former battlefields and relics, and meeting with war veterans.
The Singapore exchange programme focuses on volunteerism. Mr Cheng said that through its sponsorship, the Yan Chai Hospital Board aimed to offer an opportunity for participants to visit welfare organisations and to exchange experiences with fellow students and volunteers in Singapore. The participants will also be able to visit the narcotics authorities to learn more about how the local welfare and law enforcement agencies help the needy.
Quoting the "I have a dream" speech by Dr Martin Luther King, Jr, in her speech, Ms Lee encouraged the young people to pursue a DREAM, as in Drive, Resilience, EQ, Action and Motivation. She opined that both exchange programmes contained all the above five elements and encouraged the participants to proactively communicate with local people and treasure the learning opportunities in the exchange programmes. She also called upon participants to further promote the spirit of caring for the community, the country and the world through actions when they return to Hong Kong.
Formerly known as the Tsuen Wan District Summer Youth Programme Coordinating Committee, the Tsuen Wan District Youth Programme Committee has extended its services from summer activities to year-round ones. The Committee strives to organise activities that facilitate youth development in the district through the full support and participation of volunteer organisations, schools, district groups and government departments.
Ends/Friday, July 15, 2011
Issued at HKT 19:32
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