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Young people interested in serving in underprivileged areas of the Mainland should grab the opportunity to join the Service Corps programme, for which applications close this Sunday (July 31). The first batch of participants can gain precious volunteering and personal development experience by serving schoolchildren in Shaoguan City in Guangdong province for a period of six months beginning this September.
Organised by the Home Affairs Bureau (HAB), the programme aims to promote youth development and volunteerism. It seeks to develop the tenacity and potential of Hong Kong youth and to encourage them to serve others.
The programme is highly supported by the Municipal Government of Shaoguan City in terms of arrangement of service placement and accommodation, and programme management. The programme will begin this September and conclude in February 2012.
Fifteen participants will be recruited in the first batch of the programme to provide teaching assistance. Participants, in groups of three to four, will be placed in different schools in Shaoguan to help teachers in teaching and organising extra-curricular activities.
The programme comprises three components, namely pre-departure training, field service and follow-up activities, through which participants will gain more exposure and experience. During the field service period, participants can join study trips or other voluntary activities arranged by local government authorities, including visits to city establishments, local villages, enterprises and government organisations, as well as exchanges with local youths.
To assist young people to take part in the programme, the HAB will arrange on-campus accommodation for participants and provide necessary subsidies, including a basic living allowance of about RMB3,000 per month, two round trips to and from Hong Kong and the place of service, and reimbursement of expenses on third-party liability insurance, general personal medical insurance and travel insurance. The HAB will also engage experienced counsellors to support the participants.
Participants who complete the programme with satisfactory performance will be granted a certificate and a cash award. The participant can also nominate a service recipient in Shaoguan to pay a study visit to Hong Kong.
Participants must be aged between 18 and 29, and capable of communicating in Putonghua as well as reading and writing simplified Chinese characters. Interested youngsters may download the application form from the HAB website and submit the completed form together with supporting documents by July 31.
For applications or further information on the programme, please contact the HAB on 2835 1548 or visit the website at www.hab.gov.hk/servicecorps.htm.
Ends/Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Issued at HKT 15:35
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