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The Financial Secretary, Mr John C Tsang, today (August 29) presented certificates of completion of service to delegates of Phase III of the Service Corps programme to commend their outstanding performances in providing volunteer teaching assistance and demonstrating the spirit of selfless service in Shaoguan City, Guangdong Province.
At the certificate presentation ceremony, the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Tsang Tak-sing, said that the delegates' willingness to give and not caring for reward has successfully established a good example for the younger generation of Hong Kong. The delegates' performance was highly appreciated by various organisations in Shaoguan. He said he hoped that the delegates could keep up their selfless spirit after they return to Hong Kong so as to continue to contribute to the development of the territory and their motherland, and live out the spirit and philosophy of the Service Corps.
Mr Tsang Tak-sing said, "The successful experiences of the first three phases help lay a solid foundation for the future development of the Service Corps. We will set up a second service point in September in Meizhou City, Guangdong Province, for delegates to provide teaching assistance to local schools."
Mr Tsang Tak-sing also thanked the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, the Shaoguan Municipal People's Government and the schools and teachers participating in the programme for their assistance and support to young people in Hong Kong to carry out teaching assistance work in Shaoguan.
The Home Affairs Bureau launched the Service Corps programme in 2011 to provide financial support for youths aged between 18 and 29 to serve in underprivileged areas in the Mainland for a period of six to 12 months. With an aim of developing young people's tenacity and potential, the volunteer programme encourages Hong Kong young people to serve others and contribute to their mother country, with a view to enhancing their understanding of their motherland and promoting the spirit of volunteerism. A total of 36 Hong Kong youths participated in Phases I to III of the programme.
The 15 members of Phase III of the Service Corps programme were sent to four schools in Shaoguan, namely Shaxi Secondary School, Shaxi Town Centre Primary School, Lishi Town Centre Primary School and Huaping Experimental School, to provide teaching assistance to pre-school, primary and junior secondary students in various subjects and organise extra-curricular activities from September 2012 to July 2013.
To enrich the delegates' service experiences, the Home Affairs Bureau has identified a health education centre in Shaoguan as a new service point following discussions with the Mainland authorities earlier this year. The placement would enable members to have more exposure to the local population and make use of their creativity.
Families and friends of the delegates also attended today's ceremony to show their support. Led by representatives of the Shaoguan Municipal People's Government, teachers and students also came to Hong Kong for a visit and exchange and to attend the ceremony.
Phase IV of the Service Corps programme will be started in September this year. Those who are interested in joining the programme in the future may visit its dedicated website at www.servicecorps.hk.
Ends/Thursday, August 29, 2013
Issued at HKT 17:37
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