******************************************************
The Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs, Mrs Betty Fung, visited schools in Shaoguan City in Guangdong Province today (January 9) to encourage delegates of Phase V of the Service Corps programme (first semester) providing voluntary teaching assistance there, and extend her gratitude for their effort and support.
Upon arrival at Shaoguan in the afternoon yesterday (January 8), Mrs Fung met the Service Corps delegates serving in the city and joined a discussion with officials from the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the Guangdong Provincial People's Government. She also had dinner with the officials and the Service Corps delegates later in the day. She thanked the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the Guangdong Provincial People's Government, the Shaoguan and Meizhou Municipal People's Governments and officials from other authorities for their support in the Service Corps programme during the dinner. The support has been critical to the smooth development of the programme in the cities of Shaoguan and Meizhou in Guangdong Province, so that the Service Corps delegates can effectively take up voluntary teaching duties in the schools there.
Mrs Fung visited the delegates serving in Shaxi Primary School, Wushi School and Lishi Town Centre Primary School today. She observed lessons taught by the delegates and visited the dormitories of the delegates to learn more about their service and daily life in Shaoguan City. She also had lunch with the delegates at Wushi School and listened to the delegates discuss their experiences in Shaoguan City.
"Participants of the Service Corps programme have to serve in underprivileged areas in the Mainland for one semester or for the whole school year. Life there is not easy for them, but they are all caring and devoted young people. Through the programme, they can gain experience in teaching, organising activities and living in the Mainland. They can also get to know about the unique culture of the cities they are living in and the latest developments of the Mainland, thereby greatly broadening their horizons and perspectives," Mrs Fung said.
She noted that the programme has been very meaningful. From this visit, Mrs Fung learnt about the delegates' situation in providing volunteer services in the Mainland, and was touched by their dedication in offering the services. The Home Affairs Bureau will continue to promote the programme actively with a view to assisting young people to join the programme.
The Service Corps programme was launched in September 2011 and has reached its fifth phase this year. It has already provided financial support to around 90 young people aged between 18 and 29 to serve in underprivileged areas in the Mainland for one semester or for the whole school year, aiming to develop young people's tenacity and potential. The programme encourages young people to serve others and contribute to their own country, as well as enhances their understanding of the Mainland and recognition of their national identity, and promotes the spirit of volunteerism.
Phase V of the Service Corps programme (first semester) has recruited 21 members with different backgrounds to serve in the cities of Shaoguan and Meizhou from September 2014 until late January or early February this year. Currently, 12 members are providing teaching support in different subjects in schools, organising extracurricular activities and promoting health education in the community in Shaoguan City. Recruitment for the Service Corps programme (Phase V) (second semester) closed on January 5. The selected delegates will be serving from March to July this year.
Ends/Friday, January 9, 2015
Issued at HKT 17:32
NNNN
