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Young people interested in serving in underprivileged areas of the Mainland should seize the opportunity to join the second semester of the Service Corps programme (Phase VI), for which applications will close on December 15.
The Home Affairs Bureau (HAB) launched the Service Corps programme in 2011 with an aim of promoting youth development and volunteerism. More than 100 young people have joined the Service Corps programme up to now.
Participants will serve in Shaoguan or Meizhou in Guangdong Province from February to July 2016 to provide teaching assistance in subjects including English, physical education, music, arts and computing for primary and junior secondary students.
Past participants have all lauded the Service Corps programme for benefiting them as they gained experience in volunteering and teaching and found opportunities for personal growth.
Mr Jonathan Chan, a Phase VI programme first semester delegate serving in Meizhou, said, "I have been voluntarily teaching for only two months, and I like my job more and more as I have been moved by the students' serious learning attitude and their genuine smiles." The care and concern of the other teachers and local residents have enabled him to adapt to the local life in a short period.
Phase V programme delegate Miss Wong Chui-yee was deeply impressed by her colleagues' caring attitude during a period of illness while serving at Bingcun Town Centre Primary School in Meizhou. She recalled, "I kept receiving greetings from different teachers when I was ill. A teacher drove me to the clinic while another visited me every day to check on my rehabilitation progress. If you are away from home, even a simple greeting makes you feel extra warm." Miss Wong added that she felt the care and love among people even more after participating in the Service Corps programme. To extend the spirit of selflessness, she is now working as a project co-ordinator at a non-governmental organisation, responsible for youth volunteer development work, after she returned to Hong Kong.
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 between mid-December 2015 and January 2016.
The Facebook Fan Page of the Service Corps (www.facebook.com/servicecorpshk) will also be launched today (November 19). Those who are interested may follow the Fan Page and learn more about the programme through the Fan Page. They may also visit the Service Corps website (www.servicecorps.hk) or call 3509 7022 for enquiries.
Ends/Thursday, November 19, 2015
Issued at HKT 12:31
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