************************************************************
The Service Corps programme (Phase VI) is recruiting young people to provide teaching assistance service in underprivileged areas of the Mainland, with applications closing on July 31.
The Home Affairs Bureau (HAB) launched the Service Corps programme in 2011 with an aim of promoting youth development and volunteerism. About 100 young people have joined the Service Corps programme up to now.
Participants can serve in Shaoguan or Meizhou in Guangdong Province to provide teaching assistance in subjects including English, physical education, music, arts and computing for primary and junior secondary students.
Participants can choose to serve for the whole school year (from September 2015 to July 2016) or for one semester (first term from September 2015 to January 2016 or second term from February to July 2016).
Many Service Corps delegates have been asked why they chose to set aside life in Hong Kong to voluntarily serve in cities and villages on the Mainland. They believe that joining the Service Corps is a unique and valuable experience, adding cherished memories to their journey of life.
Phase V programme delegate Miss Eagle Ng wrote in the Sharing Corner of the Service Corps website that she met some ingenuous children and had a great time playing on monkey bars, picking flowers and spending more time with them. She said, "Through seeing their lives, I can recall the joy in our past childhood and realise that happiness doesn't require much."
Another delegate, Miss Katie Lee, found that after joining the programme, she has been more aware of herself and become more positive than before. Moreover, both Miss Lee and Miss Ng have joined a group of like-minded friends who can support and encourage each other.
Miss Lee urges young people to take part in the programme. She said, "Young people should try to leap out of their comfort zones to experience livelihoods different from their own, in order to broaden their horizons and enhance their confidence."
The Service Corps programme comprises pre-departure training, field service and follow-up activities, aiming to allow the participants to 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 and government organisations and enterprises, as well as exchanges with local youths.
To support young people in taking part in the programme, the HAB arranges on-campus accommodation for participants and provides necessary subsidies, including a stipend of RMB3,200 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 also engages experienced counsellors to support the participants. Participants who complete the programme with satisfactory performance will be granted a certificate and a cash award of $5,000 per semester served.
Participants must be aged between 18 and 29, and capable of communicating in Putonghua as well as reading and writing simplified Chinese characters. Interested young people may download the application form from the Service Corps website and submit the completed form together with other supporting documents. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview in August.
For applications or further information on the programme, please call 3509 7022 or visit the Service Corps website (www.servicecorps.hk).
Ends/Sunday, July 5, 2015
Issued at HKT 14:02
NNNN
