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The Home Affairs Bureau (HAB) is recruiting Hong Kong young people interested in serving in underprivileged areas in the Mainland to join Phase III of the Service Corps programme.
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.
Approximately 30 participants will be recruited for the Phase III programme to provide teaching assistance. Participants, in groups of about two to four members, will be placed in different schools in Shaoguan City to help teachers carry out daily teaching activities and organise extracurricular activities. The Municipal Government of Shaoguan will support the Phase III programme, and will help in identifying service placements as well as accommodation arrangement and programme management.
Participants in the Phase III programme can choose to serve for the whole school year (from September 2012 to July 2013) or for one semester (first term from September 2012 to January 2013 or second term from February to July 2013).
Participants' exposure and experience will be enhanced through the programme's three components of pre-departure training, field service and follow-up activities.
For pre-departure training, participants will receive induction training in Hong Kong, which will cover topics such as the spirit of volunteerism, adapting to local life, basic teaching skills and experience sharing with other volunteers to help prepare them for field service.
During the field service phase, participants will attend a two-day induction course upon arrival in Shaoguan City to familiarise themselves with the local living, socio-economic and cultural environment, as well as to further understand service needs. Placement will then be arranged for each participant. The local government authorities will arrange study trips or other voluntary activities, including visits to city establishments, local villages, government organisations and enterprises, as well as exchanges with local youths.
For follow-up activities, participants are required to submit reports after completing their service and returning to Hong Kong. They will also take part in exchange activities to share their experiences with other young people and promote the Service Corps programme and the spirit of volunteerism.
To support young people in taking part in the Service Corps programme, the HAB will arrange on-campus accommodation for participants and provide necessary subsidies, including a stipend of RMB3,000 per month and transport expenses for two round trips between Hong Kong and the service location, as well as 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 have completed the programme with satisfactory performance will be granted a certificate and a cash award.
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 before July 30, 2012. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview around mid-August 2012.
For applications or further information on the programme, please contact the HAB at 3509 7001 or visit the Service Corps website at www.servicecorps.hk.
Ends/Thursday, June 7, 2012
Issued at HKT 20:09
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