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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 (Phase III), for which application will close next Monday (July 30). The participants can gain valuable volunteering and personal development experience by serving schoolchildren in Shaoguan City in Guangdong Province for a period of six to 12 months.
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 City will support the Phase III programme, and will help in identifying service placements as well as accommodation arrangements and programme management.
Participants of 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).
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, government organisations and enterprises, as well as exchanges with local youths.
To support young people in taking part in the Service Corps programme, the Home Affairs Bureau (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 Service Corps website and submit the completed form together with supporting documents before July 30. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview around mid-August.
For applications or further information on the programme, please contact the HAB at 3509 7001 or visit the Service Corps website (www.servicecorps.hk).
Ends/Sunday, July 22, 2012
Issued at HKT 14:00
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